During the mass emigration from Italy between 1876 and 1976, the United States was the largest single recipient of Italian immigrants in the world, with over four and a half Italian immigrants arriving in America.More Italians have immigrated to the United States than any other group of Europeans. Most of the Italian immigrants came from southern Italy, leaving to escape the economic hardship, natural disasters, high taxes and scarcity of resources in their homeland.
Once they passed through Ellis Island, many Italian immigrants settled right in New York City, bringing with them their culture and beliefs. The new American-Italians clustered into groups that corresponded to their place of origin. For example, people from different parts of Sicily settled on different streets, and the Neapolitans settled on even different streets or neighborhoods. But no matter where they settled, living conditions tended to be crowded and dirty. They were likely to take construction jobs and were contracted out by professional labor brokers known as padrones. Italian immigrants dug tunnels, built bridges and roads, laid railroad tracks and helped build the first skyscrapers. By 1890, nearly 90% or New York City's public works employees were Italian immigrants.
Many Italian immigrants never intended to make America their permanent home - they migrated to the United States to find work, and either sent money home or tried to save enough money to have a better life in their homeland. Some traveled to America in early spring and worked until late fall, returning then to the warmth of their southern European homes for the winter. It's estimated that 20 to 30 percent of Italian immigrants returned to Italy permanently.
Once they passed through Ellis Island, many Italian immigrants settled right in New York City, bringing with them their culture and beliefs. The new American-Italians clustered into groups that corresponded to their place of origin. For example, people from different parts of Sicily settled on different streets, and the Neapolitans settled on even different streets or neighborhoods. But no matter where they settled, living conditions tended to be crowded and dirty. They were likely to take construction jobs and were contracted out by professional labor brokers known as padrones. Italian immigrants dug tunnels, built bridges and roads, laid railroad tracks and helped build the first skyscrapers. By 1890, nearly 90% or New York City's public works employees were Italian immigrants.
Many Italian immigrants never intended to make America their permanent home - they migrated to the United States to find work, and either sent money home or tried to save enough money to have a better life in their homeland. Some traveled to America in early spring and worked until late fall, returning then to the warmth of their southern European homes for the winter. It's estimated that 20 to 30 percent of Italian immigrants returned to Italy permanently.
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