By ABC-7 Reporter Marissa Monroy
EL PASO -- Halloween is just a couple of weeks away and many are still looking for the perfect costume. But, it's a costume with an alien's face that has many seeing red in anticipation of All Hallow's Eve.
Stores across the nation have had to take down or remove the "illegal alien" costume from their shelves. That includes the Spirit Halloween Store in west El Paso. "It's really just a costume and it's a one-time thing only," said Richard Garcia, with Spirit. "We're not trying to pick on any one group."
"People have started asking for it. It perked people's interest to where they wanted to see the [mask]," said Garcia.
Target Stores already recalled a similar product it was selling on it's website. That costume depicted an alien carrying a green card. Company officials made the move after several immigrant activists groups complained, calling the costume racist and offensive.
But others say the costume is no different than other Halloween outfits that highlight minority groups. Reactions to the mask from some west El Paso residents was mixed.
"I myself don't find it offensive," said Gabriel Escobar. "It's not so bad. You know, it's for Halloween."
Escobar told ABC-7 he has seen masks depicting Whites in a negative manner. "People think that's funny," he said.
"I see where it can be offensive because of the mustache," said Oscar Navarette,"I do find it offensive. It's stereotyping Hispanics that may have a mustache."
