| Image via MOIA
NEW YORK — New York City opened its 22nd annual Immigrant Heritage Week on Monday with the theme “Immigrants Power New York,” launching a three‑month celebration honoring the more than three million immigrants—including a growing Filipino American community—who drive the city’s cultural and economic life. The week, led by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), centers on the contributions of immigrant workers across industries that keep the city running.
“New York is a city built by working people. Generations of immigrant families helped build the neighborhoods that gave this city its character and strength,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Immigrant New Yorkers are not separate from our economy; they are central to it.”
For many Fil‑Am New Yorkers—nurses, home health aides, educators, small‑business owners, and municipal workers—the city’s framing of immigrant labor as essential resonates deeply. Filipino Americans remain one of the largest Asian immigrant groups in New York, with a long history of service in health care and public institutions.
City Leaders Emphasize Economic Justice and Worker Protection
Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su underscored the administration’s focus on fair treatment for all workers. “Immigrant laborers have been integral to the story of New York,” Su said. “Our administration will continue to fight for the respect and fair treatment of all NYC workers as we celebrate immigrant heritage this week and every day.”
MOIA Commissioner Faiza N. Ali, who is beginning her tenure this year, said the theme reflects the physical labor and daily contributions of immigrant workers. “More than 3 million immigrants call New York City home and are at the heart of our workforce and economy,” Ali said. “As a daughter of Pakistani immigrant New Yorkers, I am proud to celebrate all the ways immigrant workers play a central role in the daily lives of New Yorkers.”
Fil‑Am advocates note that Filipino workers—especially nurses and care workers—have long been pillars of the city’s health system, a point echoed in MOIA’s emphasis on labor and economic justice.
Data Underscore Immigrant Economic Impact
According to MOIA’s 2025 Annual Report, households led by undocumented immigrants paid an estimated $96.7 billion in total taxes, including $37.3 billion in state and local taxes and $59.4 billion in federal taxes. Immigrants remain central to industries such as food services, construction, home health care, hospitals, and education.
These sectors include thousands of Filipino workers, particularly in nursing, elder care, and education fields, where Fil‑Am professionals have historically been overrepresented and continue to shape the city’s workforce.
This year’s Immigrant Heritage Week artwork highlights the interconnectedness of immigrant labor and the city’s daily life, portraying workers as the driving force behind New York’s growth and resilience.
Agencies Affirm Support for Immigrant Communities
City agencies also reaffirmed their commitment to immigrant New Yorkers.
“Immigrant New Yorkers are the driving force behind our city’s economy,” said NYC Small Business Services Commissioner Kenny Minaya, citing programs that support immigrant entrepreneurs and foreign‑trained nurses.
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine added, “DCWP is here for you, regardless of immigration status—holding predatory companies accountable and saving families their hard‑earned money.”
Cultural Affairs Commissioner Diya Vi emphasized the city’s global identity: “From newly arrived residents to immigrant communities here for generations, the breadth of cultural traditions brought here by immigrants keeps NYC connected to the world.”
Celebrations and Events Open to All New Yorkers
MOIA will host a series of events and community celebrations throughout the week, many of which highlight immigrant arts, culture, and worker contributions. Fil‑Am organizations in Queens and Manhattan are expected to participate in cultural showcases, resource fairs, and community gatherings.
Event listings and artwork are available at nyc.gov/immigrantheritage.
