Posted: March 31st, 2023

Learning Resources
• Sue, D. W., Rasheed, M. N., & Rasheed, J. M. (2016). Multicultural social work practice: A competency based approach to diversity and social justice (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
o Chapter 13, “Evidence-Based Multicultural Social Work Practice”
o Chapter 14, “Culturally Competent Social Work Practice with Immigrants and Refugees” (pp. 440–449)
• Cohen, E. (2010). A social worker’s tool kit for working with immigrant families. Retrieved from https://bettercarenetwork.org/sites/default/files/A Social Worker%27s Toolkit for Working with Immigrant Families.pdf

To prepare: Find a peer-reviewed article in the Walden Library that focuses on immigrants or refugees.
Post your response to the following:
• Provide the APA reference for the article you found
• Provide a brief summary of the article
• Explain how you would use the information you learned from the article in practice.
Respond to two colleagues:
• Discuss how the information presented in your colleague’s article may or may not apply based on a refugee’s or immigrant’s country of origin, class, color, gender, ability status, sexual orientation, or religion.

Colleague 1
Provide a brief summary of the article.
Migration from Asia to the United States has risen sharply since the mid-1960s, following the end of exclusionary immigration laws enacted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that severely limited arrivals from countries across Asia. According to Bataloyam & Hanna (2023), “As of 2019, there were 14.1 million immigrants from Asia residing in the United States, representing a 29-fold increase from 1960 and today, people born on the continent of Asia account for 31 percent of the 44.9 million immigrants in the United States” (Bataloya & Hanna, 2023). Immigrants from Asia have significantly higher incomes than the total foreign and United States born populations. Immigrants from Asia are more likely than the overall foreign-born population to be naturalized citizens.
Explain how you would use the information you learned from the article in practice.
According to Sue et al (2016), “Because immigrants experience tremendous distress throughout the process of migration, it is important for social workers ask why they left their homeland” (Sue et al., 2016). Asian immigrants and refugees are often powerless in American society. Thus, client empowerment should be a major goal in working with this population group. Workers should help these clients adapt to their environment without abandoning their ethnic heritage, values, and belief. Also, it important to understand Asian culture. Be aware that although in many Asian families one adult might be the spokesperson for the family. Engage in active listening (rather than talking) and be alert to nonverbal cues. Bataloyam & Hanna (2023) stated, “understanding Asian culture is a must in Social Work” ( Bataloyam & Hanna, 2023).
Reference
Jeanne Batalova Mary Hanna. (2023, February 14). Immigrants from Asia in the United States. migrationpolicy.org. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/immigrants-asia-united-states-2020
Sue, D. W., Rasheed, M. N., & Rasheed, J. M. (2016). Multicultural social work practice: A competency based approach to diversity and social justice (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Colleague 2
A brief summary of the article
The article I have selected is Refugees, asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants and the experience of parenthood. According to the article, illegal migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees have unique challenges that are explored in this article. Loss of social support networks, such as extended family, can exacerbate the challenges that migrant families face, as can making adjustments to a new cultural context, encountering discrimination, falling in socioeconomic status, and having less access to health and social services, as stated in the article. In spite of the fact that every family experience hardship at some point, migrant families may encounter unique challenges. They are more likely to have experienced abuse or trauma before and during migration than other migrants. must adjust to difficult circumstances in the host country, putting their families at risk of discrimination and isolation.
The authors in the article argues that a deeper knowledge of the experiences of refugee, asylum-seeking, and undocumented migrant families could strengthen health and social services, practices, and legislation. To deliver evidence-based practice, social workers must do research that takes into account the practitioner’s clinical knowledge and experience, the client’s values, culture, and worldview, and the available empirical data to inspire therapies that are both ethical and successful (Merry et al., 2017).
How I would use the information I have learned from the article
My role as a social worker requires that I be knowledgeable about and have an understanding of the acculturation processes that immigrants and refugees go through. Most of the time, an atmosphere that is discriminatory or invalidating merely serves to strengthen the worries and suspicions of newcomers, who may already have a negative attitude toward authority and institutions. I will put the knowledge that I gained from this post to use in order to improve my cultural competence in regards to immigration and family migration with children. According to the report, there is a growing awareness of the fact that migrating families with children frequently confront a variety of challenges and require particular assistance. This information will assist me in providing superior service to my customers.

Reference
Merry, L., Pelaez, S., & Edwards, N. C. (2017). Refugees, asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants and the experience of parenthood: A synthesis of the qualitative literature. Globalization and Health, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-017-0299-4

Colleague 1’s Summary and Application:
The article titled “Immigrants from Asia in the United States” by Jeanne Batalova and Mary Hanna (2023) delves into the significant rise in Asian migration to the United States since the mid-1960s, following changes in immigration laws. The article highlights that as of 2019, there were 14.1 million Asian immigrants in the U.S., representing a remarkable increase from 1960. Asian immigrants tend to have higher incomes compared to the overall foreign and native-born populations and are more likely to become naturalized citizens.

In practice, I would utilize the information from the article to better understand the unique challenges faced by Asian immigrants and refugees. Drawing from the work of Sue et al. (2016), I would adopt a competency-based approach to multicultural social work practice that takes into account the distress experienced by immigrants during the migration process. I would make it a priority to inquire about why they left their homeland, empowering clients to adapt to their new environment while preserving their cultural heritage and values.

Understanding Asian culture becomes crucial in working with this population, as emphasized by Batalova and Hanna (2023). Actively listening to clients and being attentive to nonverbal cues can help foster trust and rapport. Recognizing that one adult might be the spokesperson for an entire family in many Asian households, I would tailor my communication style accordingly.

Colleague 2’s Summary and Application:
The chosen article, “Refugees, Asylum-Seekers, and Undocumented Migrants and the Experience of Parenthood,” explores the unique challenges faced by illegal migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. The loss of social support networks, cultural adjustments, discrimination, socioeconomic decline, and limited access to health and social services are some of the challenges faced by migrant families. These families may have experienced abuse or trauma during migration, further complicating their situations.

As a social worker, I would use the insights from this article to enhance my understanding of the acculturation processes experienced by immigrants and refugees. Recognizing that these families may have negative perceptions of authority and institutions due to discriminatory experiences, I would strive to create a supportive and validating environment for them. Being culturally competent in the context of immigration and family migration with children is essential, as the article highlights the need for specialized assistance for migrating families with children.

I would apply the information from Merry et al. (2017) to ensure evidence-based practice, taking into account clinical knowledge, client values, culture, and available empirical data. This approach would help me provide better services to my clients and address their unique needs effectively.

References:

Colleague 1:
Jeanne Batalova, Mary Hanna. (2023, February 14). Immigrants from Asia in the United States. migrationpolicy.org. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/immigrants-asia-united-states-2020

Sue, D. W., Rasheed, M. N., & Rasheed, J. M. (2016). Multicultural social work practice: A competency based approach to diversity and social justice (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Colleague 2:
Merry, L., Pelaez, S., & Edwards, N. C. (2017). Refugees, asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants and the experience of parenthood: A synthesis of the qualitative literature. Globalization and Health, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-017-0299-4