Socioeconomic Migration

Throughout both the 1880-1920 and 1965-present immigration waves to New York City, new immigrant arrivals have assimilated as New Yorkers in common and divergent histories of ascribed stereotypes and achieved identities. Many allegedly native New Yorkers, usually people of Northern European ancestry whose local roots have spanned several generations, have labeled newcomers from elsewhere with a range of mythically positive and negative stereotypes, both privileging and disadvantaging certain immigrant groups. Maintaining value systems compatible with those of the white, affluent Christian so-called mainstream, post-1965 immigrants from certain racial and ethnic backgrounds, such as East Asian and African professionals, have experienced upward socioeconomic mobility due to their assimilable work ethics. However, from 1880-1920, …show more content…
Achieving new identities for their groups, networks of new arrivals form ethnic enclaves, areas of cities within which an initial group of families from the same region or country settle and then invite others to join, and start immigrant-run institutions, such as small businesses, schools, and community centers. Pushed to New York by factors including ethno-religious persecution at home, economic stagnation and inequality, and political violence and pulled by the perception of socioeconomic mobility that exists in America, new arrivals face up against and respond to a series of barriers that shape their experiences in New York. In the works of Foner and other scholars, ascribed characteristics, such as dark skin, different facial features, and low English proficiency have led to social, economic and political stereotypes that have disadvantaged Italian, Jewish, Latino, Caribbean, African and Asian immigrants to New York during both main immigration waves, even as material achievements have increased over