Republican supporters briefly chat outside the Staten Island Republican Party headquarters in the New Dorp neighborhood of Staten Island in New York City on Tuesday, energized by the election’s critical implications for their community.
José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
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NEW YORK — It was an unusually warm night for November in New York City, with temperatures unseasonably high, prompting residents to gather outdoors for the election night festivities.
In Staten Island, a conservative stronghold of the city, immigration was front and center on voters’ minds in Tuesday’s election. Locals passionately expressed their concerns as election results began to unfold.
For months, Donald Trump and his campaign have been promising mass deportations. His rhetoric has found a receptive audience in a city that has received some 200,000 new migrants in the last two years, stirring debates and fears among residents.
“He’s gonna close that border again,” said Jeanmarie Sigismondi, a dedicated schoolteacher and active Republican, reflecting the sentiments of many in her community. “He’s gonna get the criminals out. You come here? Learn how to speak English. Come here legally. We have no problem with immigrants. Come. Here. Legally.”
These points of view were to be expected in this deeply Republican part of town, resonating through the vibrant streets where political signs adorned numerous lawns and storefronts. Out in Jackson Heights, Queens, the picture was more complicated.
NPR first stopped by a Bangladeshi part of the neighborhood, where the election results were being broadcast on a giant outdoor screen, drawing a crowd eager for updates. Amen Kahn was watching the broadcast and sipping some tea, the atmosphere buzzing with anticipation.
Khan is in the country legally, and he cannot vote. But he said that if he could have, it would have been for Donald Trump, highlighting the complexities of immigrant perspectives in the ongoing political discourse.
New York City is a Democratic stronghold, and Jackson Heights, the neighborhood in which we met Khan, is synonymous with its diverse immigrant communities, a juxtaposition to the sentiments shared by some in Staten Island. The mass deportations promised by the Trump campaign would target areas like these. And yet, on election night, this community was deeply divided on its support of former President Donald Trump.
“I’m also an immigrant,” Khan said with conviction. “But I came in a legal way. Those people who don’t have any papers, and [are] crossing the border, we need to take them out from this country,” asserting his views in an atmosphere thick with uncertainty and tension.
Some in this crowd disagreed with him, reflecting the mosaic of opinions that defines this vibrant neighborhood.
Standing at the doorway to his clothing store, Mithu Ahmed invited us into a world of gorgeous fabrics and jewelry. He wouldn’t say who he voted for, because he said this community is way too divided on the issue, yet his keen insight into local dynamics was compelling.
But he did say he lost a lot of business during the pandemic. It was immigrants who brought it back. “Who comes to our store? The immigrants.” Without them, he said, the economy would suffer tremendously, showcasing the interdependence of the local economy and its immigrant population.
A few blocks up, at the Latin music bar Terraza 7, the owner, Freddy Castiblanco, watched the election on a big screen, nervously, the stakes feeling higher than ever. He said a lot of the Latino immigrants who have been here for decades support Trump, feeling a complex blend of allegiance and anxiety.
Some recalled feeling afraid during the Obama presidency, who they referred to as “the Deporter-in-Chief,” illustrating the long-lasting impacts of immigration policy over the years. They said they feel Democratic immigration policy has become hard to distinguish from Republican, as the political landscape shifts.
Others tell Castiblanco “that they are outraged,” he said, a reflection of the palpable frustration buzzing in the air. “They’ve been waiting for years, decades, for a path to legalization. Why should these newer migrants get any assistance?” The voices of the crowd underscored a rift within the community.
Standing outside, a woman named Prita Rozario looked sad and tired, her expression revealing the weight of the night. “I’m very disgusted and very sad, and heartbroken. These people are immigrants themselves,” she lamented, embodying the struggle of many who identify as part of the community.
Graffiti in support of Donald Trump greets Jackson Heights residents on the corner of 37th Avenue and 83rd Street in Queens, a testament to the contrasting political sentiments that permeate the neighborhood.
As she tells us that she cast her ballot for Kamala Harris, a woman walks by and yells at Rozario in Spanish, “Stupid communist!” before disappearing into the dark streets of this very deeply divided neighborhood, underscoring the heated tensions that characterize this election season.
**Interview with Jeanmarie Sigismondi, Staten Island Schoolteacher and Republican Supporter**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Jeanmarie. It’s been quite an eventful election night here in Staten Island. Can you share some of your thoughts on what the election results mean for your community?
**Jeanmarie Sigismondi:** Thank you for having me! This election was critical for us. Immigration has really dominated our conversations, especially with the significant increase in newcomers to our area over the last couple of years. We’re looking for a leader who understands our concerns, and for many of us, that’s Donald Trump. His promise to “close the border” resonates strongly with us.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the 200,000 new migrants in the city in the last two years. What specific concerns do you and your neighbors have when it comes to this influx?
**Jeanmarie Sigismondi:** Well, there’s a feeling of unease about safety and the strain on resources. We just want to make sure that people come here legally, learn the language, and contribute positively to our community. We have no issue with immigrants themselves, but it’s about the process and ensuring they enter the country the right way.
**Interviewer:** It’s clear that opinions on immigration vary widely, even within New York City. Jackson Heights, for example, depicts a more complex perspective with many diverse communities. How do you think this divide influences the political landscape?
**Jeanmarie Sigismondi:** Absolutely, Jackson Heights is a different world. They have their own unique situations, and I understand that. However, the concerns we feel on Staten Island are just as valid. We’re all individuals with different backgrounds, but I think what unites us is the desire for security and a stable environment. The emotional impact of illegal immigration affects us deeply.
**Interviewer:** You expressed strong feelings about immigrants who cross the border illegally. Can you elaborate on how you think they impact your community?
**Jeanmarie Sigismondi:** I think it’s about the principles of law and order. When laws are broken, it sets a precedent that can lead to larger issues. We want to have a system that rewards those who follow the rules and come here legally. It’s not about hating immigrants; it’s about expecting fairness and accountability.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your candid views, Jeanmarie. As someone who is actively involved in your community, what message would you like to convey moving forward regarding immigration?
**Jeanmarie Sigismondi:** I want to emphasize that we need to have open dialogues. Those of us who support strict immigration control are not against immigrants; we just want to ensure that our borders are respected. There’s a place for everyone who wants to be here legally, and that’s the foundation of a good society.
**Interviewer:** Strong sentiments indeed. Thank you again for sharing your perspective with us tonight.
**Jeanmarie Sigismondi:** Thank you for having me!