....January 21, 11:50 PM
	Immigrant Role Key To City’s Economy By Domenick Rafter As Washington gets ready to grapple with immigration reform legislation, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a report showing how immigration has been vital to New York City’s economy and growth in the past two decades. DiNapoli’s report pointed to the broad representation among immigrants, who as of 2008 make up 36 percent of the city’s population – and half of Queens resident, in the city’s workforce. In 2008, 43 percent of the city’s workforce consists of immigrants. Immigrant representation in the city’s workforce ranges from doctors, 46 percent of whom are immigrants, and nurses, 55 percent of whom are foreign born, to cab drivers and chauffeurs, nearly 9 out of 10 of whom are among the immigrant population. Even some white collar careers of accountants, auditors and CEOs have larger than average immigrant numbers. DiNapoli’s report lists Queens as the borough with the highest concentration of immigrants; 47 percent of the borough’s counted population. Six of the 10 neighborhoods citywide with the largest immigrant populations, all with 50 percent or more foreign born, are in Queens: Elmhurst/Corona (68 percent), Jackson Heights (64 percent), Sunnyside/Woodside (59 percent), Flushing/Whitestone (52 percent), Forest Hills/Rego Park (51 percent) and Kew Gardens/Woodhaven (50 percent). The most common country of origin for immigrants in these neighborhoods are the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, China, Korea and Guyana. More than half of the workforce in Queens is foreign born. During the past 20 years, the household income of New York City’s immigrant population nearly doubled, from $23,000 in 1990 to $45,000 in 2007. Home ownership among immigrants has also doubled in that time frame, and as of 2008 represents 60 percent of all homeowners in the city. Citywide, since 2000, the number of immigrant workers increased by 68 percent and wages paid to workers who are immigrants increased by 39 percent. In that same time frame, immigrant contribution to the gross city product increased by 61 percent. “New York City remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for immigrants from every nation,” DiNapoli said. “Immigrants built New York City and drive its economy – in fact, foreign-born workers accounted for $215 billion in economic activity in 2008, almost a third of the gross city product. It’s clear how invaluable newcomers are to the City’s economic life. In New York City, the immigrant story is truly the American story.” Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125.