New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is facing criticism after promoting a map intended to celebrate the city’s immigrant communities that critics say leaves out several of the ethnic groups most closely associated with New York’s history.
The map, titled “New York City Immigrant Enclaves,” was promoted as part of a city campaign launched in May highlighting neighborhoods shaped by immigrant populations. It identifies 30 communities across the five boroughs, including neighborhoods associated with Yemeni, Pakistani, Egyptian, African, Palestinian, Chinese, Korean, Albanian, Colombian, Dominican, Ecuadoran, Indian, Haitian, Polish, and several other immigrant groups.
Mayor Mamdani’s map of NYC immigrant neighborhoods sparks outrage for ignoring Little Italy: ‘Terrible mistake’ https://t.co/dR97RS7CPz pic.twitter.com/dKvqap5K2a
— New York Post (@nypost) July 8, 2026
Missing from the map, however, are neighborhoods traditionally identified with Italian, Irish, and Jewish communities, an omission that quickly drew criticism from elected officials, historians, and community leaders.
Queens Republican Councilwoman Joann Ariola questioned why Little Italy, one of New York City’s most recognizable ethnic neighborhoods, was not included.
“They were able to get a Little Bhod-Tibet in there, but what about the original ‘Little neighborhood,’ Little Italy?” Ariola told the New York Post. “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?”
State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger also criticized the map, arguing that it erased the city’s Jewish communities. “Mr. Mamdani’s erasing Jews is an essential part of his brand. No surprise,” Yeger said.
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. Asked everyone. Huge riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an… pic.twitter.com/hdnzhtTt9T
— Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt (@avitalrachel) July 8, 2026
Joseph Scelsa, founder of the Italian American Museum on Mulberry Street, called the omission disappointing, noting the lasting role Italian Americans have played in the city’s development.
“Italian-Americans are still a major population in New York City,” Scelsa said. “To not recognize where Italian-Americans came from and settled is a terrible mistake. I don’t understand why Little Italy isn’t included. I hope it’s an oversight.”
Jewish writer Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt expressed similar concerns on social media, writing that the city’s map recognized numerous immigrant communities while failing to identify Jewish neighborhoods.
Mamdani has always had a seething hatred for Italians. Here’s a post from the George Floyd era calling to take down a statue of Columbus. The hatred of Italians is the hatred of beauty, culture, exploration, and genius—which is unbearable for many DSA dirtbags. pic.twitter.com/TvVE2M79K5
— Christopher F. Rufo (@christopherrufo) July 9, 2026
“The Mayor’s Office made a map of NYC’s immigrant enclaves: Little Africa, Little Poland, Little Palestine,” she wrote on X. “But they just couldn’t figure out how to represent 11% of the city. Couldn’t decipher where the Jews are from.”
Others also weighed in. Manhattan Institute senior fellow Christopher Rufo pointed to Mamdani’s past positions involving Italian heritage as part of his criticism of the administration’s approach. Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt characterized the omissions as “deliberate subversion,” arguing that three of New York’s most historically significant immigrant communities had been excluded.
The mayor’s office disputed many of the criticisms and said the map had been misunderstood.
Leaving out the Italian, Jewish, and Irish enclaves in NYC is like leaving out Mexican and Persian enclaves in LA.
It’s not an “oopsie!” This is deliberate subversion. The communist must erase your history so he can demolish your home and make it his own. https://t.co/JnxMJWQCo9
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) July 9, 2026
A spokesperson said the project was designed to highlight neighborhoods with substantial foreign-born populations tied to specific countries and regions rather than religious communities. The office also noted that the immigrant enclave series began during former Mayor Eric Adams’ administration and was created in part as a resource for visitors exploring New York City’s diverse neighborhoods.
According to City Hall, the current version of the map is not the final product. Officials said additional neighborhoods will be added in the coming months.
