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Family members of a Saskatoon cab driver say they are angry after a customer bombarded him with anti-immigrant and racist language on the job.

Mohammad Reza Akhgar, 65, has worked in the taxi industry for 16 years and is currently a contractor with United Group.

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While he’s dealt with his share of rude customers, an incident on March 12 has left him and his family frustrated because he was repeatedly questioned about his Canadian citizenship, he said.

“Really, I was scared,” Akhgar said. “Because he was a big guy and I thought maybe he would punch me (or) something.”

Some in the taxi industry, like Comfort Cabs general manager Kelly Frie, say drivers are racially profiled on a “daily basis.”

Frie said instances of abuse are becoming more frequent with the slumping economy, as the unemployment rate rises and people are “starting to point fingers.” It’s “disheartening” because newcomers are no different than any other citizen, he said.