Footnote to the preceding

The troubles for Zimbabweans are not limited to Zimbabwe - nor is the US the only place where "foreigners" are regarded with sometimes violent suspicion during times of economic stress.

Mob violence against Zimbabweans and other foreigners this week has killed at least two people and injured about 60 in an impoverished Johannesburg neighborhood, authorities said Wednesday.

The nightly attacks first began Sunday night and officials appealed for an end to the violence. ...

Police reported two deaths from the violence, but the ANC said that there was a third and that two of the dead were South Africans. About 60 people have been injured and more than 50 arrested while dozens had to flee their homes. ...

Such violence has increased lately as South Africans, growing frustrated by unemployment and lack of services, turn on outsiders they feel are taking away jobs and scarce resources.

South Africa, described in the article as "the region's economic powerhouse," has seen an influx of immigrants from neighboring countries, looking for safety and a better life. When the economy hits the skids, those same immigrants got blamed for it.

Sounds awfully familiar.