Comments on Not the Land of Opportunity she expected: An Iranian refugee loses her father in a taxicab robbery

By: James Neathery

2010-11-15T15:02:24Z

Let’s fight this. Call a rallye and I’ll be there. I’m with you.

By: Immigration Conversation

2010-10-24T16:46:27Z

@Lisa Chang, Thank you for reading the story. It just goes to show how everybody has difficult stuff in their lives, and that it’s important to be strong and keep striving.

By: Lisa Chang

2010-10-24T16:40:52Z

So well written Mandy. This is very difficult to read, but this story needs to be told and shared.

By: Immigration Conversation

2010-10-24T03:47:37Z

In reply to Martha.

@Martha, Thanks for your comment. I think his life already has touched many people and will continue to do so.

By: Immigration Conversation

2010-10-24T03:46:54Z

In reply to Immigration Conversation.

@Jenny, I checked with Lida, and she says she doesn’t know of any municipal actions to protect local cab drivers. But I think she may be planning to submit something.

By: Martha

2010-10-24T02:16:13Z

What a horrific thing to go through. Mandy, you did a great job with Lida’s story. Hopefully Hooshang’s life will touch others through his death.

By: Immigration Conversation

2010-10-22T16:11:20Z

In reply to Jenny.

@Jenny, as far as I know, there hasn’t been any municipal action taken, but I will contact Lida to confirm. Lida did mention supporting legislation for bullet-proof partitions in taxicabs. There is an Oct. 16 article (http://bit.ly/dvV3lm) in the Houston Chronicle that discusses the risk cab drivers face: “Taxi drivers are at least 20 times more likely to be killed on the job than other workers, according to a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration bulletin released in April.” The Yellow Cab Company in Houston, Tex. has in-car cameras. Thanks for your valuable comment and question.

By: Jenny

2010-10-22T14:23:42Z

This story highlights the importance of more protection for people who work in livery service. They are a particularly vulnerable segment of the service sector and are frequently immigrants or individuals from lower-income brackets who may feel compelled to accept risk. Has Mr. Vatanpour’s murder prompted any municipal action regarding the regulation of livery services in Dallas?

By: Immigration Conversation

2010-10-18T03:32:04Z

In reply to Julie.

@Julie, Thank you for taking the time to read the post. It’s amazing how resilient humans are to tragedy and loss.

By: Immigration Conversation

2010-10-18T03:28:45Z

In reply to Naz.

@Naz, Yes, it is a difficult story to get through, but it’s just another example of how hardship makes us stronger. Thanks for your comment.