In Immigrant Entrepreneurism: an Engine for Economic Recovery, Jonathan Bowles makes the argument that immigrant entrepreneurs are the solution New York City’s economic downturn. As a result of the recent immigration influx, there are more immigrant-run businesses appearing throughout the city. Bowles suggests that the city consider immigrant entrepreneurs as a solution to revitalizing New York City’s economy. He explains how there is not enough support for these businesses and since immigrants naturally face language barriers and other difficulties when establishing themselves in a new country, it is difficult for their businesses to reach full potential. He encourages the city to implement new laws and policies that would help immigrants expand their businesses. Particularly in New York City it is harder to startup new businesses as a result of competition and higher living standards and real estate prices.

Bowles’ argument that immigrant businesses will help revitalize the economy is something that should be considered. In Min’s article, Korean Communities: New York and Los Angeles, he mentions that Korean immigrants only start their own businesses because they believe they cannot find jobs in the general labor market and that native-born Korean Americans don’t even want to consider starting up their own businesses. Yet, as Bowles mentions, new enterprises created in immigrant neighborhoods surpassed business created city-wide. Despite the unwillingness of these immigrants to be self-employed and the lack of support from the city, immigrant enterprises are doing surprisingly well. Imagine what would happen if these immigrants did receive the support they need for their businesses. However one thing that should be considered is whether or not the expansion of these businesses is really the best the option. As both Min and Kims’ articles mention, the immigrant self-employment usually occurs in enclaves or coethnic neighborhoods where their businesses caters to the needs of immigrants of shared ethnicity. Would their services and goods that immigrants need and like, be able to sell as well in areas where there may be no immigrants or people of similar ethnicities? Would prejudice or just plain lack of interest prevent immigrant businesses from profiting if they expanded? I agree that immigrant entrepreneurship may help New York City’s economy and that with support, they may thrive, but it may depend on the type of support they receive.