Immigrants in the Spotlight: What Social Workers Need to Know to Support Immigrant Families and Communities

Presentation Description:

Over the past decade there have been unprecedented changes in immigration and refugee policies and enforcement practices.  This presentation will provide an examination of the impact these changes have had on immigrant families and communities. Topics to be covered include the ongoing crisis at the Mexican border, the expulsion of Haitian asylum seekers, the connection between climate change and the worldwide refugee crisis, and alternatives to the detention of immigrants.  This presentation will provide much needed  information on resources to enable social workers to better assist their immigrant clients.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the impact of immigration enforcement practices on families and communities;
2. Learn about the broader policy challenges affecting immigrants and refugees;
3. Come away with valuable resources available to social workers to better assist immigrant children and families.

Presenter bio:

Robert McAndrews is a professor of social work at Salem State University. In the graduate program he teaches courses on social policy, community practice and the dynamics of privilege and oppression. A founding member of SSU’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies he teaches courses related to the Center’s graduate certificate program in comparative genocide studies. Rob is also an attorney with a practice focused on immigration and asylum law and he is involved with a number of community advocacy groups working to protect the welfare and rights of immigrants in the Greater Boston region.