In New York, a growing sense of disillusionment is permeating the Nepali American voter base ahead of the upcoming elections. Inadequate outreach, voter education, and public awareness campaigns have left many feeling that their votes are inconsequential.
Prakash Gurung, a resident of New York for 15 years and a U.S. citizen for the past four, has yet to cast a vote in any election. Although aware of the significance of engaging in the democratic process, he feels that the impact of minority votes is diminished, leading him to deprioritize voting. As he put it: “The importance of our voices often feels overshadowed, but I recognize the need to participate in shaping our collective future.”
Nirmala Baskota, who has called Queens, New York her home for almost a decade and a half and holds U.S. citizenship, has been a regular participant in both primary and general elections ever since she gained the right to vote. However, she missed this year’s presidential primary election. She expressed: “In our community, there’s a prevailing belief that not voting won’t impact the outcome, especially as we are part of a minority group. This is a common feeling among many living in my neighborhood.”
Manita Gurung, a U.S. citizen since January, resides in New York, Queens. She missed the chance to cast her vote in the presidential primary due to insufficient information about the voting process. Although she had intended to participate in the upcoming primary, her lack of awareness regarding the requirement to select a political party prevented her from voting, as the deadline to change party affiliation had already passed. Nevertheless, Gurung will be eligible to vote in the November general election. Reflecting on her community’s perspective, she remarked, “Many in the Nepali community question the impact of our vote. Yet, the absence of accurate information has hindered some from voting.”
A lack of targeted communication in Nepali language creates a significant barrier to effective engagement. Many Nepali community members feel their voices are unheard and their concerns are not being prioritized. This fosters a sense of apathy, with some believing their votes hold little power in the grand scheme of local elections.
“Given that the Nepali community is a minority, there’s a prevailing sentiment that their votes are inconsequential in elections,” Amit Pratap Shah, a Nepali American residing in Queens for 16 years remarked, a frequent voter himself, having participated in every election for the past decade and even casting two ballots in presidential elections. “This apathy is mirrored within the community, where there’s a belief that abstaining from voting will not have an impact.”
Insufficient Political Efforts and Agendas
New York City’s Nepali community, the biggest concentration of Nepali people in the U.S., is facing challenges securing essential resources, despite their growing visibility. The efforts of the elected representatives and the agendas of the candidates fall short.
When asked about the issues facing the Nepali community in New York, Shah pondered: ‘Where do we start?'” Shah, who also serves on Community Board No. 6 in Queens, identified the lack of representation and access to resources as the primary factors behind the myriad of challenges confronting the community.
Despite the availability of resources and facilities within the city, Shah highlights the Nepali community’s struggle with limited public awareness, a dearth of programs specifically designed to cater to their needs, inadequate participation and representation in local government, and the ever-present hurdles of language difficulties and self-doubt. These factors combine to create a complex web of challenges that impact every aspect of daily life, from navigating the difficulties of immigration to securing proper housing, education, and healthcare.
The issue of healthcare access is particularly concerning for undocumented individuals within the community. Even those facing serious health concerns are often hesitant to seek medical attention. Fear and a lack of awareness regarding available programs like NYC Care, which offers free healthcare to undocumented residents, prevent many from seeking the help they desperately need.
Keshab Raj Seadie, a Nepali-American immigration attorney based in New York City, emphasized the growing complexities of immigration as a major contributing factor. “Prolonged separation from family members due to asylum application backlogs, the extended wait for green cards, and the resulting family disintegration contribute to rising mental health issues,” observed Seadie. These anxieties are further compounded by language barriers, cultural adjustment difficulties, and the struggle to navigate a new educational system.
“Many are unaware that members of the U.S. House of Representatives or Senators can assist with inquiries into unreasonably delayed immigration applications with USCIS or the Department of State, or even expedite them when appropriate, and facilitate embassy or consulate communications,” explained Seadie. “Even those informed about this support often do not know how to approach elected representatives regarding their immigration concerns. The crux of the problem lies in the lack of public awareness, resources, and information.”
Rajan Khadka (pseudonym) shared his personal experience with the emotional toll of navigating the immigration system. “I arrived in the USA in 2016 with big dreams and applied for asylum, but I’m still awaiting an interview,” Khadka expressed. “Now, battling depression and on medication, I feel the pain of separation from my family, having lived apart for eight years.”
The challenges faced by the Nepali community extend beyond those seeking green cards or living undocumented. Individuals arriving with Diversity Visa Lottery, family-based, or employment-based visas encounter their own set of obstacles. Language barriers often render Nepali experience and educational qualifications ineffective, leading to underemployment.
A Nepali Diversity Visa recipient who wished to remain anonymous expressed the harsh reality that awaited them upon arrival in the U.S. “After receiving the DV Lottery, I felt like I had conquered the world. But the reality in the USA was a tougher battle,” he confided. “The language barrier persisted, and my Nepali educational certificates were of no use. I couldn’t secure a job matching my qualifications, and the differences in language and education systems made it difficult for my children to adapt to school.”
Despite these challenges, New York City continues to be a preferred destination for Nepali immigrants due to the presence of Nepali-speaking immigration attorneys and established transportation facilities. Furthermore, the Nepali population in New York is experiencing significant growth. From fiscal years 2020 to 2022, Nepalis led the world in receiving US green cards via the DV Lottery, ranking first in Asia last year. Currently, nearly 8,000 Nepalis hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and as of March 2023, approximately 8,000 Nepali asylum cases are pending in court, with about 3,000 in New York alone.
As the Nepali population continues to grow, so too does its participation and visibility in local politics. Public representatives and candidates are increasingly engaging with the Nepali community and attempting to address their concerns.
Assemblymember Steven Raga, representing the 30th Assembly District – home to the largest Nepali diaspora in the U.S. and includes Woodside, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Jackson Heights, Astoria, and Middle Village– stated: “Addressing the needs of our Nepali community in New York’s 30th Assembly District, one of the largest in the nation is a priority for my office. We recognize the challenges of language barriers, immigration complexities, access to essential services, and specific issues such as tenant protection, DOL disputes, and DMV issues. Our office has translated resources into Nepali, assisted with wage disputes, workplace safety, and unfair labor practices by liaising with the Department of Labor, and helped resolve license suspensions through the Department of Motor Vehicles.”
“Additionally, we have supported Nepali nonprofits and small businesses in securing grants and resources by guiding them through the application processes. Our commitment to the Nepali community involves continuous collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure effective support and access to vital resources for both individuals and organizations,” said Raga who is seeking re-election this year. He is known for actively participating in and prioritizing Nepali community events.
The community also continues to push for greater visibility. Recent achievements include the co-naming of two streets in Queens and the annual Nepal Day Parade in Manhattan, that regularly attracts the city’s Mayor and other dignitaries. Additionally, Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar (District 38) introduced resolutions for Nepali Day and Mount Everest Day.
In a gesture of recognition, New York City Mayor’s Office representative Eric Adams hoisted the Nepali flag at Bowling Green Park near Wall Street. Nepali Community Day, organized by Assemblymember Steven Raga, was celebrated on May 28th at the legislature building in Albany, with co-sponsorship from Sarahana Shrestha, the first New York Assemblymember of Nepali origin, and Jenifer Rajkumar, the first South Asian-American woman ever to be elected to a state office in New York. Assemblymember Shrestha, representing District 103 in the Hudson Valley, is the first woman of Nepali origin to be elected to such a high position in the U.S.
As Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, known for her various initiatives honoring the Nepali community, stated: “I was proud to win the historic fight to make Diwali a NYC School Holiday, and to introduce the first ever Nepal Day and Mt. Everest Day Resolutions celebrating the emerging Nepali-American community. We will continue to make history with the Nepali community. This is only the beginning!”
However, community members feel efforts haven’t translated into significant policy changes to address their concerns. While initiatives such as street co-naming, cultural celebrations, and flag hoisting ceremonies have increased their visibility, the core issues affecting their daily lives remain largely unaddressed.
“The Nepali community is slowly gaining recognition,” commented Shah. “Candidates and elected officials occasionally address the concerns of the Nepali community. Yet, no candidate has managed to elevate these issues to a level that resonates with the community. The issues pertinent to the Nepali community have not been a focal point for elected officials and candidates. Moreover, the community lacks awareness of the matters raised by these representatives. There is a scarcity of such information available in the Nepali language.”
This story was produced as part of the 2024 Elections Reporting Mentorship, organized by the Center for Community Media and funded by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
