In this special episode, our guests weigh in on the crisis currently brewing around immigration in the United States, specifically related to the Trump administration's "zero-tolerance" policy and to children separated from their families at our southern border.
Immigration is one of the most controversial social and political issues in American life. Yet little attention is given to the aftermath of U.S. immigration policies or the immigrant Americans who are deported back to their country of origin.
Martha Gonzalez-Cortes...has a deep working knowledge of immigration policy issues, and a passion for finding systemic solutions to challenges faced by immigrant and refugee families.
The first ones who arrived under this system will lose their residency permit status this October and, in that sense, the Department of Homeland Security has decided not to offer Venezuelans parole extensions, or what the government calls "re-parole".
Definitions:
Asylum (from the APA Dictionary of Psychology):
Citizenship (from the Social Work Dictionary):
Immigration (from the Social Work Dictionary):
Immigrant (from the Social Work Dictionary):
Legal (from the Open Education Sociology Dictionary):
Naturalization (from the Social Work Dictionary):
Refugee (from the Social Work Dictionary):
Repatriation (from the Social Work Dictionary):
Resettlement (from the Social Work Dictionary):
Why are immigration and legal status important for social workers to understand?
Understanding immigration and legal status is essential for social workers because these factors significantly impact access to services, legal protections, and overall well-being. Immigration status often determines eligibility for resources like healthcare, housing, and education, while fear of deportation or discrimination can deter individuals from seeking help. Social workers must navigate complex policies, such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), asylum, and family-based immigration laws, to advocate effectively and connect clients with resources. Additionally, many immigrants face trauma, chronic stress, and systemic barriers that intersect with other social determinants of health, requiring culturally competent and trauma-informed approaches. By addressing these challenges and advocating for equitable policies, social workers uphold their ethical responsibility to promote social justice, empower clients, and support the dignity and worth of all individuals.
An undocumented immigrant living in the United States for the last decade is under deportation proceedings from the federal government. A Tucson-area church, Southside Presbyterian, that has history with providing sanctuary for illegal immigrants opens their doors for the man and his family. The family says they will stay on the church property until the federal government reverses its decision to deport him.
Ramon tells his difficult story of immigrating to the United States and the crucial life lessons he learned along the way. He uncovers the grueling process of legal immigration and how adversity doesn't stop once you arrive.
Lawyers are advocates for their clients -- and, in court, they're usually the ones who do the talking. Should that always be the case? In an effort to shift this power dynamic, TED Fellow and legal aid activist Lam Ho shares how lawyers can create space for people to tell their own stories in the courtroom, making them active participants in the legal process and producing surprisingly positive results.
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