HOW DO NEW LATINA/O MIGRANTS FACE CHALLENGES IN TODAY'S ECONOMY?
BY K.N.
Latino migration to the United States has been a grueling
and expansive process that has existed for decades. In this country, Latino and
Latina immigrants have become a vital ingredient in the creation of
“transnationalized” communities, which boost economies at the local and
national levels. However, this cultural
change was not an easy transition. Even to this day, life has not gotten easier
for Latina/o immigrants. How do new Latina/o migrants face challenges in
today's economy? In this blogpost, I explore how Latina/os are treated in
today's professional world; more specifically, the work life of Mexican
Immigrants in New York City.
In New York City, Latina/o migrants have faced innumerable
challenges when it comes to finding work. Latina/o immigrants have spent many
mornings begging for work on street corners. In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Mexican
immigrants worked on a housing project for Hassidic families, when the building
collapsed after the workers ignored OSHA warnings. The scene was destroyed; many
workers were severely injured and one was tragically killed. However this
ignorance was not with malicious intent. Rather it was fear that if these
Mexican workers spoke up to their bosses, they would be fired and traded in for
another worker, who would "talk back." This tragedy, and a factory
fire, among others opened the eyes of many to the “Dickensian underworld of day
labor,” as explained by Mike Davis (94). Immigrants have tried to create small
communities for themselves to work together and send money home. Their
willingness to work long hours have made their services more appealing to other
cultural communities in New York City, such as Greek restaurant owners and
Korean grocers. Mexican workers demanded less money than members of the
business owners’ cultures. The pattern of one worker replacing the other began,
and Mexicans moved together to neighborhoods in Queens and the Bronx. 1986 US
Immigration Law reform encouraged migrants to seek permanent residency. This
catalyzed the rapid growth of the Latino Urban population, which unfortunately,
has its opposition.
This
map depicts the whereabouts of Mexican Immigrants throughout the five boroughs
of New York City in 2006-2008.
The arguments against immigration stem mostly from native
workers losing their jobs to immigrant workers. Although they took place in Los
Angeles, the Rodney King Riots of 1992 conspired for this exact reason. The
labor of African American workers was being replaced by that of Mexican
immigrants, and the native workers were certainly not having it! A study of Los
Angeles industry (Davis, 112-113) showed that within the five largest
metropolitan areas in the United States, immigrants moved into communities
established by immigrants of the same origin. These “employment niches” created
the neighborhoods we now know as “Little Italy”, “Chinatown,” and “Havana on
the Hudson.” Extensive and memorable contributions have been made by these
communities to the cultural epicenter of the world, and my favorite place, New
York City. None of this could have been done without the tireless work of immigrant
labor; so, to those who worked day and night to give my city life, I thank you.
Works Cited
Davis, Mike. “Falling Down.” Magical Urbanism: Latinos
Reinvent the U.S. City. New York: Verso, 2000. 94, 109-112. Print.
Friedlander, Judith, PhD. “Foreign Born from Mexico by PUMA
in New York City.” Jews and
Mexicans: Here and There. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2017.
The way you ended this post was very touching, thank you! I also appreciate the hard working immigrants in New York City and how they have contributed to the community. Latino/as perform the jobs that no one else will do for half the pay because they are dedicated workers and willing to do anything to put food on the table for their families. I admire their endless desire to provide for themselves and their families back home. I agree with you on the fact that they benefit our society rather than 'destroy' it as other conservative citizens might see it. Thank you for this post. - A student
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blogpost! Your topic and sources were very interesting. Not many people realize how hardworking immigrants really are. It's great how you touched upon how their working conditions are dangerous and they don't usually speak up about it. Thus, it leads to deaths and injuries. We don't appreciate the amount of work and effort they put into their jobs. Great work!
ReplyDeleteLately Anti-immigrant rhetoric has grown to include not only that immigrants "steal" American jobs but now immigrants come to the US simply to collect welfare and live better than hardworking Americans with jobs. Your post not only combats this idea, but goes to the length of thanking immigrants of doing the labor most Americans would never do.
ReplyDeleteI liked your post, especially with what is currently going on in this country. You broke down, the reasons why immigrants tend to be favored over "native" workers. I truly wonder when this will stop and both "native" and immigrant workers will ave better benefits, so that the rhetoric of "they are stealing our jobs" will cease to exist.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you Latino immigrants are a very vital ingredient in the creation of “transnationalized” communities, which boost economies at the local and national levels. I love how you mentioned that none of the main contributions that are in part due to these immigrants would exist, making NYC the cultural epicenter of the world. These immigrants really are so hard working and so important in our country.
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and I agree that major cities rely on the hard work, sweat, and blood of immigrant workers. Without there immense help I'm sure that a lot of both privately owned and publicly owned businesses wouldn't be able to operate without them!
ReplyDeleteI greatly enjoyed reading your blog post. New York City is an interesting place to analyze given the great amount of diversity in the area. They face unrecognized workers have limited rights when comes to deployment and their ability to react to injustice. I enjoyed learning about the employment niches such as Chinatown and Little Italy. The effects of trans nationalism and primacy communities is ever present in NYC.
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