A map highlighting New York City's immigrant enclaves has drawn criticism for omitting historically significant Italian, Irish, and Jewish neighborhoods, including the famed Little Italy. The map, titled "New York City Immigrant Enclaves," features 30 areas across the five boroughs, such as Koreatown in Manhattan, Little Pakistan in Brooklyn, and Little Yemen in The Bronx. It also includes Little Guyana in Queens, Little Mexico in Staten Island, and Little Dominican Republic in Manhattan.
Councilwoman Joann Ariola, a Republican representing Queens, stated that the exclusion of Little Italy, established in the late 19th century, was a significant oversight. "They were able to get a Little Bhod-Tibet in there, but what about the original ‘Little neighborhood,’ Little Italy?" Ariola questioned. "And what about areas like Woodlawn, in the Bronx, which are home to plenty of Irish immigrants? Do the Irish and Italians not count for the Mayor’s office?"
Joseph Scelsa, founder of the Italian-American Museum on Mulberry Street, described the exclusion as a "terrible mistake." He emphasized that Italian-Americans remain a substantial population in New York City and that failing to recognize their historic settlements is a significant error. "To respect one is to respect all," Scelsa added.
Critics also pointed to the map's failure to represent areas with large Irish and Jewish populations. Kevin McCabe, a former City Council chief of staff, noted the absence of neighborhoods like Woodlawn or Sunnyside, which have historically been home to many Irish immigrants. "I guess they never heard of Woodlawn or Sunnyside but that’s OK, the Irish are everywhere, the way it’s supposed to be," McCabe commented.
Similarly, the map has been criticized for overlooking neighborhoods with significant Orthodox Jewish communities, such as Borough Park in Brooklyn. Writer Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt expressed frustration on X, formerly Twitter, asking, "The Mayor’s Office made a map of NYC’s immigrant enclaves: Little Africa, Little Poland, Little Palestine. But they just couldn’t figure out how to represent 11% of the city. Couldn’t decipher where the Jews are from."
State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, who represents a district in southern Brooklyn with a large Orthodox Jewish population, suggested that the omission aligns with a pattern of attempting to "erase" Jewish representation. "Mr. Mamdani’s erasing Jews is an essential part of his brand. No surprise," Yeger stated. He also highlighted the large Uzbekistani immigrant population, predominantly Bukharian Jews, in central Queens neighborhoods like Rego Park, Forest Hills, and Kew Gardens, which were also not marked on the map.
The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The map appears to have been released in May.