For a long time, many immigrants – both new and old – have resided in New York City. But as years have gone by, the gap between the descendants of old immigrants and new immigrants has increased tremendously. Some of the descendants of old immigrants are enjoying the wealth and success by their first-generation family members. On the other hand, new immigrants struggle when they first come to America since they may arrive with nothing. They may not know how to speak English, not be familiar with American culture, not have a high school education, or not even be legal immigrants. This is why ethnic enclaves have come to be. They are where these immigrants can “get a leg up” economically without assimilating. One of which in New York City is Willets Point, in which Mayor Bloomberg pointed out is “blighted” and slated the area for a high-end development project. This has resulted in many workers and business owners protesting due to the negative impact that the project would have on them.
While on the 7 train, I have noticed and always wondered why Citi Field looks so clean and glamorous compared to the surrounding area, Willets Points, which is rundown, covered in graffiti, and full of auto-repair shops, junkyards, and small businesses. Fernanda Santos states in her article, “A Dilapidated Tract of Queens, and a Fight to Control Its Future,” that there are “no sidewalks or light to righten its unpaved roads, no sewers, piped water or heat.” In addition, the new immigrants can easily be exploited due to their lack of options. They are desperate and would do anything they can to have a job so they could provide for their families and themselves. Employers could take advantage of them and their circumstances by paying them below minimum wage. According to Santos, “no one seems to disagree that Willets Point needs help.”
Many businesses run by immigrants do not want the development project to go through since many of their employees are illegal immigrants. They are cheap and bring much productivity to their businesses. And business owners do not want to relocate. Plus, after the project is finished, where could these new immigrants turn to for employment? In addition to the economic problems, Willets Points is a community where these immigrants could feel safe and comfortable because everyone is ethnically bonded. They all share the same language, culture, and the common goal to learn English and assimilate to American culture.
It is extremely difficult and infeasible to help every single person in the community, but the government has the responsibility to address and fix problems like graffiti, housing, and lack of streetlights, bus stops, traffic lights, and sidewalks. The government should develop these neighborhoods in a way that would not negatively affect the people in the community. Thus, they have the responsibility to protect and take care of the residents and businesses in the neighborhood. Although the development project may raise the overall profitability of Willets Point, many of the immigrants and business owners would be displaced and struggle to relocate. The government should aim to develop Willets Point and make it cleaner, but also be mindful of the current community that resides there.
