For Mexican immigrants affected by the lack of available work in New York, where the cost of living is higher than in other cities in the nation, pawnshops have once again become a way to get out of debt.

Not withstanding how much it might have cost to buy jewelry in the past, with the passage of time more Mexican immigrants say they are turning to pawnshops and jewelry shops to exchange their valuables for cash.

The only option

Adriana said her only option to get rid of her debt was to sell jewelry valued at $760; this happened at a time when her husband lost his job and they survived on the income she earned cleaning houses and taking care of children.

"There wasn't any other way, I feel very sad about it, but it was the only option we had if we wanted to pay the rent and other expenses," said Adriana, who did not want to give her last name because she is embarrassed by her current economic circumstances. 

For people like Adriana, losing her valuables has hit her family hard, but she accepts that, at the very least, it gives them a little more time to avoid getting evicted and for her husband to find a job. He continues to search frantically for a new way to support the family.