Image courtesy Thinkquest.org

Finding a decent job. Accessing pre-natal care. Driving a car.

The wide variety of nationalities and cultures scattered throughout the five boroughs is one of New York City’s defining characteristics. But for some newcomers, even the most elemental tasks can be daunting.

Language barriers and fear of government authorities are two of the most significant obstructions keeping many immigrants from raising their voices to express their concerns.

Rather than confronting the foreign culture of their adopted homeland or risk alerting the government to their presence – particularly if their visa has expired – all too often, they keep silent. Often they may fail to realize they are entitled to more than they think.

The Pakistani community in Midwood, Brooklyn is just one example of the cultural transplantations that abound in New York. Known as Little Pakistan, the community numbers approximately 150,000, says Shafqat Chughtai, who runs the Pakistani Community Center with his wife.

The barricades constructed out of language and fear are especially obvious when it comes to two of the most basic needs: finding a job and health care.

Map of "Little Pakistan" in Midwood, Brooklyn. The star indicates the location of the Pakistani Community Center.

Pakistani grocery stores line Coney Island Avenue in the section of Brooklyn residents refer to as Little Pakistan. PHOTO: S. Kordova

New York Immigration Factoids

Nearly 3.4 million foreign-born people live in New York state, broken down as follows:

• 1.4 million are legal immigrants who have not become citizens
  
  
• 1.2 million are naturalized citizens
  
  
• 200,000 are refugees
  
  
• 540,000 are illegal immigrants. Aproximately 500,000 of these live in New York City.

Source: National Center for Policy Analysis and New York City Department of City Planning.