From Lev to Leo

By in European Immigration, Immigrant NYC

By Sutton Bantle, Wagner College Lev (Leo) Kukhar, now twenty-one years old, was only two when his family emigrated from Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine to Brooklyn, NY. His mother, father, and maternal grandparents left Ukraine less than two years after it became an independent country from the Soviet Union. Leo describes himself as a Russian immigrant versus Ukrainian because his family associates with the Soviet Union. Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia to the East; Belarus to the North; Poland, Slovakia  Hungary, and Romania to the West; and the Black Sea to the South. Leo’s immediate family that immigrated with him were not the first to arrive in Brooklyn. He had extended family members who had immigrated during the reign of the Soviet Union. The Kukhars are an example of chain-migration. Within six months of his family’s arrival Leo’s cousin, aunt and...

Is this truly the Land of the Free? A journey to Immigration Reform.

By in Uncategorized

By: PattiAnn McCaffrey, Wagner College ’15 Allie Lopiccolo, Wagner College ’16 The journey for immigrant rights has been a long one, and has had some bumps along the way. The path to Immigrant rights is still a long and windy one however, with the continued support of fellow immigrants no matter how long ago they or their family has emigrated here the destination of comprehensive immigrant rights and reform will be here soon. In the meantime one just has to remember the wise words Matthew Titone stated at Wagner College’s press conference. “We are on the right side of history.” With that said let us all do our part in rewriting the history books that generations to come will refer to. How does one do his or her part, one may ask. This is quite simple. First he or she must get involved and share their opinion. From there one can get involved in marches like Patricia and...

Pakistani Immigration In A Changing America

By in Immigrant NYC, Middle Eastern Immigration

The Pakistani community is an immigrant group that has largely experienced great social and economic mobility in the United States while also maintaining transnational ties to their homeland.  That spirit of mobility and transnationalism, however, was greatly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001. By Sarah Cappiello, Wagner College ’16 Interview with Dr. Salman Zafar For my project, I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing Dr. Salman Zafar, an active member of the Staten Island community as well as a Pakistani immigrant with a fascinating story to tell.  Throughout our time together he stressed to me, over and over again, the critical importance of education in his life and how it can be used to make a difference in the world.  Education was the whole reason why he and his wife chose to uproot their lives in Pakistan and make the transition to life in New York City....

Welcome to Greektown

By in European Immigration, Uncategorized

History of Greek Immigration Greeks have been coming to America since the 1700s from Mani, Greece and by the early 20th century 95% of the Greek immigrants were male. By 1920 there were 9 men for every 2 woman. More Greeks were migrating to America, and particularly New York City, during the 1960s and 70s because of the Greek Revolution of 1967. This is a time when three military men were afraid of losing their power and decided to politically take over Greece. During this time people left due to the war and economic downfall. They came to America – the land of opportunity. Most Greek immigrants came New England, the West, and large cities like New York City. They would than find work in factories and restaurants working as bus boys and dishwashers. Most Greek immigrants would have a positive relationship with their employer which would lead to occupational mobility. Many Greek...

Greek Immigration

By in Uncategorized

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5MhoVhL1AM Peter Livanos Greek Immigration   Background  Peter came to the United States in 1991 from a small island in Greece called Chios. Everyone on the island is very friendly and everyone knows each other. He loves his country and the island that he is from. He is very proud to be from Greece. Peter was in the shipping business at the age of seventeen. At the young age of seventeen, he was supporting, not only himself but also his mother, his brother, and his sister because his father had passed away. Peter traveled all around the world while in the shipping business. He met his wife Despina, in Canada when he was at the age of twenty-three while he was the captain of a ship. After a few years in the shipping business and after getting married to his wife, two years later he traveled to America thinking that he would be more successful than he...