IMMIGRANT'S GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

New York is not known for warm greetings.

There is no longer a sign or symbol to mark one’s immigration. Coming through the arrivals gate at JFK International Airport is not as cinematic as the ship of weary souls being guided into New York Harbor by Lady Liberty’s torchlight.

Perhaps our nearest equivalent is the sign you see heading north from the airport on the Van Wyck Expressway marking the Liberty Avenue exit.

The airport is appropriately named, however, as it was President Kennedy’s Immigration Act, passed in 1965 after his death, that made possible the current wave of new arrivals. Queens is no doubt the new Ellis Island.

The immigrants of the last century have been so mythologized that it makes it difficult for their modern counterparts to measure up. But in truth, many immigrants today arrive with far more skills and education than those of the past.

And while the journey and the hardships are no less difficult, today there are far greater resources available to assist people in making this transition.

In this guide – even if you’re not an immigrant – you’ll find a wealth of information on making the most of life in Queens, as well as navigating the maze of city services. In the absence of torchlight, we hope it helps you on your way.