In Jackson Heights, Queens, a vibrant shadow economy accommodates the inflow of new migrants from Latin America, mainly Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. These newcomers gather at designated 'paradas' to secure day labor in various sectors, such as housecleaning and landscaping. This informal system thrives on community knowledge and local demand, allowing immigrants to quickly adapt and find work across the city and its suburbs. Vendors and locals contribute to the multicultural fabric of the area, creating a unique tapestry of immigrant life and resilient survival strategies.
In recent years, the newest residents have come mostly from Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. Such migrants line up each day at dawn at paradas -"stops"-hoping to get picked up for day jobs.
How these spring up is less complicated than one might think-people learn to do whatever work is immediately available in the area, creating a shadow economy.
Collection
[
|
...
]