New York’s immigration fueled ethnic heterogeneity and daily economic processes have and will continue to remain reliant on one another as time progresses. This relationship can be described as mutualistic: both mediums benefit from the activities of the other without being hindered by these very same activities. This beneficial cooperation can be seen in play through analysis of the works provided for reading in this previous week. The economics of modern New York City have been structured by immigrant influence; moreover, these foreign-born individuals have been impacted by the city and the ideals that it holds.

Amongst the varied rationales attracting immigrants to New York City is the desire to escape from issues which involve exhaustive living conditions placed upon these individuals by their native lands; these conditions are often fueled by tough economic settings, as was the case in the 1980s when large numbers of Dominican Republicans had emigrated from the Dominican Republic due to large national debt, the escalation of oil prices, and decline in export, and authoritarian ruling in which inalienable human rights are obstructed (Foner 3). Through immigration to the United States, these once unobtainable facets of life are rendered evident. By providing these freedoms, financial benefits are gained by the city.

A fallacious mindset surrounding immigration is that it lowers the amount of job prospects available to native-born citizens; furthermore, it is believed that these foreign-born individuals lower the wages given to native-born individuals due to job competition backed by the fear that these native-born workers would work for less. Both of these apprehensions have been debunked by statistical analysis of work trends. Over one-tenth of United States housed businesses are run by two demographics: Asian and Latino. These two demographics have conceived over 4.7 million job opportunities in 2007 alone (Immigration Policy Center 4). This data set serves to further the notion that immigrants have not taken away from the total number of jobs provided to individuals within the United States. To ascertain the mindset that foreign-born influence on job markets, particular to certain fields, have not lessened the job prospects available to native-born individuals, in these respective fields, additional studies must be conducted.

In disproving the belief that immigrants have lowered wages within New York City, Heidi Shierholz’s “Immigration and Wages” will be used. Native-workers within New York City gain an approximated wage increase of 0.7% through foreign-born influence. If there is any negative impact to be imposed by foreign-born influence on wage, the negative impact is directed towards the foreign-born themselves (Shierholz 4). This supposed negative impact is incredibly minimal and is rendered irrelevant by the comforts provided to immigrants by New York compared to the lack there of in their home nations. The city has provided its foreign-born members with enumerable possibilities: providing shelter, communities similar to those found in their homelands, if needed, job prospects which range from any level of academic standing, and the protection of unalienable freedoms.