Bangla Patrika interviewed a number of Bangladeshis who recently emigrated to New York City, who disclosed the deplorable conditions in which they find themselves as a result of unemployment and being underpaid.

Gazi, a Bangladeshi immigrant, came to New York City two months ago but has failed to land a job. He pursues every lead, goes to any extent to get a job, but still remains unemployed. He shed tears describing that he lives day-to-day borrowing money from his friends. His Bangladeshi family members call him nearly everyday asking him to send money, but he dares not tell them the conditions that he endures in New York City without any job or income. Gazi ran a good business in Bangladesh but closed it when he moved to the United States. He says his dreams of fortune have become nightmares.

Mr. Ahmed, a Bangladeshi professor, recently came to the United States by winning the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. He says that being a college teacher in Bangladesh was a better position for him. After winning a visa, he and his family left for the United States with high hopes. Unable to find a suitable job, he had no choice but to work at a candy store carrying boxes and working 12-hour shifts. He struggles to support his family on his very small salary.

Nazrul, a young man from Bangladesh, came to the United States three years ago and, similarly, now works a 12-hour day at a convenience store in a subway station. He said he never expected to work so hard in the United States. His meager salary has forced him to live in a messy residence that he shares with many other people. Being unmarried, his financial situation is even worse.

Taslima, a Bangladeshi woman, works in a garment store in the Bronx. She came to the United States with high hopes, but is "disappointed upon seeing the economic condition that exists." Her entire day is spent on her feet, and although she tries to get a better job, she has not been successful.

An Indian national, Abdal came to the United States six years ago. He says he was also in a better position in his home country. He does not enjoy such labor-intensive jobs and feels unrewarded for his hard work. Although he's been in New York City now for six years, he hasn't improved his financial position and will move back to India.

Alam, a Bangladeshi, asserted that he would have never come to the United States had he known the economic conditions that exist. Much like the others, he works a job he considers unrespectable – working on a sidewalk everyday under the sun and rain. He manages to support his family, but wishes to return to Bangladesh. Unable to go back home, he plans to move away from New York to a different state.

The Bangladeshi immigrants who came here 20 to 25 years ago had some encouraging comments, concluding that everyone faces adversity in the beginning of their new life. Some of their relatives went back to Bangladesh after failing to get a suitable job, they said, but some are considering coming back to the United States once the economy improves.

Some Bangladeshis support their families with money they brought from home. When Mahbub, an established Dhaka businessman, emigrated to United States, he failed to find a job and was forced to spend all of the money he brought from home. After much effort, he landed a job at a delivery store in Manhattan.

"I came here after closing my hotel business. I do tasks that even my subordinates didn't do in my hotel. I deliver food to residencies and must walk long distances. I manage to support my family with my salary and tips," says Mahbub. He added, "I came to this country for a better future for my children, but I can no longer continue such hard work. I am thinking about returning to Bangladesh."

Several Bangladeshi immigrants in New York City are advising that Bangladeshis not come to the United States and should not sell their houses and property back home.

But there is some success to report. Bangladeshi national Anwar Mahmud, now living in Staten Island, spoke of how he overcame the deplorable conditions he encountered.

"I did not lose faith despite countless pain and hardship. I spent six days a week drinking tea and eating bread. I bathed once in a week. Still I overcame all obstacles through incessant diligence and hard work. Now I provide jobs to Bangladeshi immigrants who can't find work in New York City."