New York City Adds 'Little Albania' to Official Immigrant Neighborhood Map, Sparking Italian Community Outcry

The New York City government released an official map identifying 30 immigrant enclaves across the five boroughs. Among the neighborhoods listed is "Little Albania" in the Bronx, joining areas such as Koreatown, Chinatown, Little Ukraine, Little Guyana, Little Pakistan and Little Yemen.

The omission of the historic "Little Italy" prompted strong reactions from Italian‑American groups and local politicians, who called the map incomplete and offensive. In response, the mayor announced that the Italian neighborhood would be restored to the map.

Albanian community leader Taulant Balla praised the inclusion as a significant recognition of the Albanian diaspora’s cultural and economic contributions to New York.