NEW YORK—The economic power of immigrants in the largest city in the United States is unquestionable. A report released on Nov. 7 by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office shows that New York City immigrants have not only rebounded from the recession, but are also earning more now than they did two years ago.
“New York City is very important to the strength of New York state,” said DiNapoli, who added that his own grandparents immigrated to the city from a small Italian village. His comments were made during a press event in New York City on the same day the report was released.
He also touched on the long-term strength of immigrant communities. From 2000 to 2011, the areas of the city with the highest immigrant populations had the most economic growth, according to DiNapoli.
That growth is no surprise when taken along with the fact that immigrants are 44 percent of the city’s workforce and responsible for $210 billion in economic activity a year.
DiNapoli also commented on some incoming and outgoing elected officials, particularly the newly elected mayor, Bill de Blasio. He said he and de Blasio tease each other about both of their families being from Italy. He also commented on Scott Stringer’s win for the public advocate’s office, calling him “highly motivated.”
“I admired the work he did as borough president,” he said of Stringer. “We met and shared ideas ... and made a commitment at that point to work together.”
DiNapoli also addressed unrelated questions during the event, including some inquiries on Superstorm Sandy recovery money. It’s been rumored that a special oversight office might be created to oversee $20 billion in Sandy aid. Aside from working with relevant city and state entities to monitor potential fraud and the spending of aid money, DiNapoli didn’t seem keen on the idea of more oversight.
“Creating another structure is not necessarily the solution, either,” he said.
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Foreign-Born New Yorkers
New York City has the largest concentration of foreign-born residents of any city in the United States—over 3 million people. They represent:
37 percent of New York City’s population
(The peak immigrant population in 1910 was 41 percent.)
48 percent of Queens residents
37 percent of Brooklyn residents
88 percent of taxi drivers and chauffeurs
49 percent of physicians and surgeons
$210 billion in economic activity
1.9 million members of the workforce
Source: New York State Comptroller’s Office
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