The Criminalization of Immigration: Value Conflicts for the Social Work Profession

This article examines the impact of the criminalization of immigration on non-documented immigrants and the profession of social work. To meet its aims, the article explores the new realities for undocumented immigrants within the context of globalization. It then assesses the criminal justice and homeland security responses to undocumented immigrants, also referred to as the criminalization of immigration. It subsequently explores the ethical dilemmas and value discrepancies for social workers that are implicated in some of these responses. Finally, it presents implications for social workers and the social work profession

Protective and risk factors for well-being among Latino day laborers

textAlthough day laborers are highly visible, as they seek employment, in public street corners or storefronts, their life struggles, including their mental health and social service needs, remain largely unknown to local officials or service providers. This is one of the first studies to directly examine the risk and protective factors impacting Latino Day Laborers’ (LDLs) well-being and substance use and abuse. The study utilized a mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) design. Specifically, this study used risk and protective variables identified by LDLs in the initial qualitative phase of the study to quantitatively examine the impact on these factors on LDLs’ well-being and substance use and abuse. Based on a sample of 147 LDLs, the quantitative results indicate that risk factors for well-being include psychological distress, social isolation, and older age; while factors protective of well-being include higher levels of religiosity and sending remittances to family members. In addition, psychological distress was found to be a risk factor for substance abuse. A member checking focus group was conducted to contextualize and validate the quantitative findings with the lived experiences of LDLs. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.Social Wor

Transnational Social Work Practice

A growing number of people & mdash;immigrants, refugees, asylumseekers, displaced individuals, and families & mdash;lead lives that transcend national boundaries. Often because of economic pressures, these individuals continually move through places, countries, and cultures, becoming exposed to unique risk and protective factors. Though migration itself has existed for centuries, the availability of fast and cheap transportation as well as today\u27s sophisticated technologies and electronic communications have allowed transmigrants to develop transnational identities and relationships, as well as engage in transnational activities. Yet despite this new reality, social work has yet to establish the parameters of a transnational social work practice. In one of the first volumes to address social work practice with this emergent and often marginalized population, practitioners and scholars specializing in transnational issues develop a framework for transnational social work practice. They begin with the historical and environmental context of transnational practice and explore the psychosocial, economic, environmental, and political factors that affect atrisk and vulnerable transnational groups. They then detail practical strategies, supplemented with case examples, for working with transnational populations utilizing this population\u27s existing strengths. They conclude with recommendations for incorporating transnational social work into the curriculum.https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/socialwork_books/1024/thumbnail.jp

Social Work Practice with Latinos

Latinos are now the largest ethnic minority population in the United States and still they encounter a great deal of misunderstanding, prejudice, and discrimination. Utilizing a strengthsbased perspective, Social Work Practice with Latinos addresses the unique needs of this diverse population. Written by practitioners and scholars from many disciplines, this book discusses social issues of consequence to Latinos and specific strengths and risk factors of the Latino community. They then offer methods that utilize these strengths to ensure a culturallycompetent approach to practice with Latino populations. Each chapter is accompanied by key questions for personal and group reflection to facilitate discussion and understanding of these vital themes. The editors have nearly three decades of combined experience working with Latino populations inside and outside the United States. Drawing on this experience, they integrate these varied perspectives to prepare students and practitioners for practice with this richly diverse community.https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/socialwork_books/1012/thumbnail.jp

Providing Social Services to Mexico-USA Transmigrants

A vulnerable population of transmigrants (migrants who go back and forth across borders) has emerged that can be distinguished from traditional migrants. This ‰ÛÃhidden‰Û population is exposed to high antecedents of lack of well-being and marginalization. Social work\u27s emphasis on social justice demands an understanding of this community to better prepare students and practitioners to address the specialized needs of this vulnerable population. This exploratory qualitative study examines the experience of social service providers in providing for the social welfare needs of Mexico‰ÛÒUSA transmigrants. Implications for social work practice and research are addressed

Introduction

Latinos are now the largest ethnic minority population in the United States and still they encounter a great deal of misunderstanding, prejudice, and discrimination. Utilizing a strengths-based perspective, Social Work Practice with Latinos addresses the unique needs of this diverse population. Written by practitioners and scholars from many disciplines, this book discusses social issues of consequence to Latinos and specific strengths and risk factors of the Latino community. They then offer methods that utilize these strengths to ensure a culturally-competent approach to practice with Latino populations. Each chapter is accompanied by key questions for personal and group reflection to facilitate discussion and understanding of these vital themes. The editors have nearly three decades of combined experience working with Latino populations inside and outside the United States. Drawing on this experience, they integrate these varied perspectives to prepare students and practitioners for practice with this richly diverse community

An Introduction to Transnational Social Work

A growing number of people & mdash;immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, displaced individuals, and families & mdash;lead lives that transcend national boundaries. Often because of economic pressures, these individuals continually move through places, countries, and cultures, becoming exposed to unique risk and protective factors. Though migration itself has existed for centuries, the availability of fast and cheap transportation as well as today\u27s sophisticated technologies and electronic communications have allowed transmigrants to develop transnational identities and relationships, as well as engage in transnational activities. Yet despite this new reality, social work has yet to establish the parameters of a transnational social work practice. In one of the first volumes to address social work practice with this emergent and often marginalized population, practitioners and scholars specializing in transnational issues develop a framework for transnational social work practice. They begin with the historical and environmental context of transnational practice and explore the psychosocial, economic, environmental, and political factors that affect at-risk and vulnerable transnational groups. They then detail practical strategies, supplemented with case examples, for working with transnational populations utilizing this population\u27s existing strengths. They conclude with recommendations for incorporating transnational social work into the curriculum

An International Experience for Social Work Students: Self-Reflection Through Poetry and Journal Writing Exercises

This descriptive article explores the uses of poetry and journaling exercises as means of helping students develop their self-reflective capacities within the context of international social work. First, self-reflection and its importance to social work practice and education is discussed. Second, the importance of self-reflection in international and cross-cultural work is highlighted. Third, the application of poetry and other journal writing exercises as a means of facilitating self-reflection is explored. Poems written in response to structured exercises by students who took part in an international experience in social work education in Leon, Nicaragua, are presented as examples. The exercises presented can be used by educators in various helping professions who seek to help their students expand their self-reflective skills and engage in cross-cultural and international practice