Social Work with Immigrants and Refugees PDF

Social Work with Immigrants and Refugees  Outline Overview of the contemporary Canadian migration landscape Migration policy overview Theoretical approaches to working with migrant populations Settlement issues facing migrants in Canada Settlement services Vulnera...

Social Work with Immigrants and Refugees  Outline Overview of the contemporary Canadian migration landscape Migration policy overview Theoretical approaches to working with migrant populations Settlement issues facing migrants in Canada Settlement services Vulnerable groups  Overview of the Contemporary Canadian Migration Landscape  Overview of the Contemporary Canadian Migration Landscape Global interconnections have led to growth in economic immigration Economic immigration benefits immigrants and host countries Canada’s population growth relies on immigration, as the fertility rate is only 1.54 children per female  Overview of the Contemporary Canadian Migration Landscape, cont’d War, armed conflicts, violence, and human rights violations have forced 68 million people from their countries of origin Resettlement: the process by which refugees are given permanent legal residency in a settlement country – Resettlement policies reflect the ideologies of settlement countries – Resettlement is used when life, liberty, safety, health, or other fundamental human rights are threatened  Who Are Today’s Migrants? A migrant is a person who has moved from one country to another either temporarily or permanently An immigrant is a person admitted to Canada as a lawful permanent resident Three categories of permanent residents in Canada: 1. Economic immigrants 2. Family class 3. Refugees  Who Are Today’s Migrants? cont’d Refugee: a person who is outside his/her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return to that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and/or social affiliation A refugee claimant is a temporary resident in the humanitarian population category who requests refugee protection upon or after arrival in Canada but whose claim has not yet been decided  Who Are Today’s Migrants? cont’d A temporary foreign worker is a person hired by a Canadian employer to fill temporary labour or skill shortages An undocumented migrant is a person who has come to Canada as a visitor, student, temporary worker, or refugee claimant and then has continued residence in Canada after either visa expiration or denial of refugee claim https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/te d-ed/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-refugee What do you think are some key differences between people who come to Canada as immigrants and who seek protection as refugees? How are their experiences similar? How can differences in status influence public perceptions of migrants?  Who Is Where? Migrant Countries of Origin and Settlement across Canada More than US and Top source Highest Before 1961 2016 2017 1991–2001 90% of European countries for number of immigrants immigration refugees: refugee arrived from decreased to Syria, Eritrea, claims: Haiti, the US, UK, 22% Iraq, Nigeria, and and other Immigration Democratic Turkey European from Asia Republic of Highest rates countries increased to Congo, and of accepted 50% Afghanistan refugee Top source claims: countries: Burundi, China, Eritrea, and Philippines, Syria India  Who Is Where? Migrant Countries of Origin and Settlement across Canada, cont’d In 2016, the proportion of foreign-born Canadians was 21.9% Ontario and Quebec continue to be the places of residence with the highest percentage of immigrants (39% and 17.8%) Since 2001, the proportion of recent immigrants living in the Prairie provinces has increased substantially Nearly one-fifth of Canada’s population speak languages other than English and French as a mother tongue – After English and French, the languages most often Migration Policy Overview  International-Level Policies The guiding legislation for Canada’s treatment of refugees is the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951) The convention provided signatory countries with the first universal refugee definition; recognized the right to remain and right to return, the principle of nonrefoulement, and the right of first asylum; defined minimum standards of treatment for refugees; and outlined determination procedures and eligibility criteria for refugee status – Nonrefoulement: Prohibits the return of persons—no matter what their crime or suspected activity—to a place where they would be at risk of torture or other ill treatment  National-Level Policies (1800s– 1940s) 1930s– 1800s Recruitment 1940s focused on filling Protection unskilled/ denied to undesirable labour European categories Jews 1896–1911 Discrimination against African American immigrants  National-Level Policies (1952– 1952 1967) 1967 Immigration Act of 1952 Ethnic factors Maintained “preferred removed from policy classes” categories for and replaced by British and French point system based Set quotas for on education, immigrants from India, language Pakistan, and Ceylon proficiency, and (Sri Lanka) financial resources 1955 Domestic Scheme allowed immigration of female domestic servants from British West Indies  National-Level Policies (1976– 1976 2012) Immigration Act of 1976 Outlined permanent refugee policy “Prohibited” categories replaced by 2004 2012 “inadmissible” US Protecting categories designated Canada’s Established the Private as Safe Immigratio Sponsorship of Third n System Refugees Program Country Act 2001 2010 Immigration and Balanced Refugee Refugee Protection Act Reform Some Act protections expanded and others curtailed Theoretical Approaches to Working with Migrant Populations  Ecological Systems Theory Examines the ways in which the relationship between an individual and their immediate environment is mediated by forces originating from greater physical and social surroundings Pertinent in work with migrants, given its explorations of an individual’s present and past contexts – Looks at influential members in the migrant’s environment and systemic factors that shape settlement – Examines the fit between an individual and their myriad environments, or systems, and interactions that take place within and across systems  Strengths and Empowerment Approaches These approaches use migrants’ knowledge, capabilities, and belief systems to work toward goals Explore and mobilize strengths and draw on human capital, rather than focusing on problems Acknowledge that experiences and life changes have been constrained or shaped by external forces Focus on increasing personal, interpersonal, or political power so that individuals can act to improve their life conditions and to see themselves as competent  Integrating Culture into Practice Approaches Four key components that incorporate culture to guide practice and interventions: 1. Cultural awareness: reflecting on one’s own experiences, perspectives, and biases 2. Knowledge acquisition: learning about the client’s culture of origin and migration trajectory 3. Skill development: adapting social work interventions with an appreciation of the complexity of issues of social justice within and between particular cultures 4. Inductive learning: reflecting on the knowledge and experiences gained through this process and weaving that back into practice learning  Stages of Migration Framework Transit or flight from the Understanding country of Understanding why migrants left origin issues of their country of Understanding settlement, origin the trajectory integration, (time, acculturation, circumstances, and/or Prior to leaving temporary assimilation settlement, etc.) Settlement in a country of new country origin Settlement in a New Country Integration refers to participation in economic, social, cultural, and political areas of life of a settlement country while retaining connections to one’s country of origin Acculturation refers to a process of adaptation between two cultures, particularly how traditions, values, language, and beliefs change as they come into contact with a new (usually dominant) culture Assimilation refers to a process by which individuals’ cultural identities are minimized or eliminated, and replaced by the cultural identities of the larger society  Settlement in a New Country, cont’d Canadian Multiculturalism Act (1988): This act recognized Canada’s diversity with regard to “race, national or ethnic origin, colour, and religion [as] a fundamental characteristic of Canadian society” and committed to “a policy of multiculturalism designed to preserve and enhance the multicultural heritage of Canadians” Settlement Issues Facing Migrants in Canada  Settlement Issues Facing Migrants in Canada Goals and expectations Language proficiency Education and employment issues Housing issues Health issues Availability of social support  Goals and Expectations Effective social work practice with migrants addresses migrants’ short- and long-term goals and expectations of life in a settlement country and incorporates them into settlement programming Tensions may exist between goals and local policies – E.g., significance and meaning of higher education for new migrants vs. “work first” policies Employment and Education Finding work shortly after arrival is imperative for migrants and thus there is substantial pressure to accept any type of employment However, there continues to be a fragile connection between a migrant’s educational history and labour market participation – Foreign qualifications are often devalued – Completing Canadian accreditation requirements can mean several years’ additional work  Language Proficiency in English and/or French is essential to integration in Canada, especially as it relates to employment – Lacking English or French proficiency means that most jobs that will be available to migrants will be low paid or provide little opportunity for growth and skill development The Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program gives funding to service provider organizations that offer English or French language instruction to immigrant adults for up to three years from the time they begin the training  Health Social workers require an in-depth understanding of the health implications of voluntary and involuntary migration – Limited English or French affects migrants’ access to and understanding of health care and social services – Cultural differences and misunderstandings created by language barriers could be problematic when communicating information regarding prevention, diagnosis, treatment, etc. – Settlement programs often neglect “non-emergency” physical and mental health needs – Refugees may have had traumatic experiences that could lead to compromised mental and physical health  Housing Housing can be a significant stressor in settlement – Problems of affordability, availability, and safety – Traumatic stress; racism; language difficulties; unemployment or underemployment and subsequent poverty; lack of recognition for qualifications, experience, or skills acquired in the country of origin; and absence of support networks are significant factors in contributing to migrants’ precarious housing and homelessness  Social Support Social networks are key to the process of adaptation of migrants in a settlement society – Sets of interpersonal links created by kinship, friendship, and shared national, ethnic, and cultural origin that connect migrants and non-migrants in destination areas Social support can be informal assistance, compassion, and information from family, friends, community, and ethnic groups Social support can also be provided by institutional entities such as ethnic community organizations, resettlement and public welfare agencies, and religious congregations  Settlement Services Organizational settings that provide formal settlement assistance and resources include: – Settlement organizations – Public welfare agencies – Ethnic community-based organizations – Religious congregations These entities work with migrants by providing access to resources, services, and programs for settlement and helping migrants maintain their own culture and navigate the multiple cultural contexts of Canada Social workers can utilize these community-based resources to address challenges within the settlement process Vulnerable Groups  Gender and Migration Male and female migrants experience settlement differently – Women and girl refugees face additional risks of sexual violence – Female migrants may face greater difficulties entering the labour market and barriers to accessing health and social services – Care for children and dependents poses additional challenges – Religious and traditional roles in the family shape the extent to which individuals can engage in the settlement country – Female migrants may lack social networks and be vulnerable to domestic violence Social workers can counter discriminatory practices against women migrants by promoting equal opportunity in employment, education, and health  Trafficking Canada is a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking Those affected by trafficking may need legal assistance, physical and mental health resources, housing, and other supports The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (2002) prohibits transnational human trafficking Trafficked persons can be accorded a special temporary resident permit by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Primary responsibility for direct service provision lies with provincial and territorial governments  Unaccompanied Minors At the end of 2017, the UNHCR estimated there were 45,500 unaccompanied and separated children who applied for asylum in 67 countries and 138,700 unaccompanied and separated child refugees and asylum seekers – Unaccompanied minors: children under 18 years of age who arrive in a potential settlement country without the presence of an adult – Separated minors: Children who may be with an adult who is not a parent or previous primary caregiver A designated representative must represent any minor appearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board (often a social worker) Social workers can work with school administrators and educators to bridge services for unaccompanied and separated minors  LGBTQ Immigrants and Refugees Canada stopped openly discriminating against LGBTQ people within immigration policies in 1977 In 1993, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that sexual orientation was valid grounds to claim refugee status; however, claimants have to “prove” their sexual orientation and/or gender identity Social workers must be sensitive to issues of sexual orientation and /or gender identity and how those have shaped migrants’ self- perception and experiences of migration  Refugee and Immigrant Older Adults Migrant older adults make significant social and economic contributions to their families and communities Few culturally-integrated services exist for migrant older adults beyond housing, income support, and health care services given to the family Migrant older adults may face challenges related to service utilization, seeking employment, family expectations, loss or reduction of social networks, and language barriers Social workers working with migrant older adults need to consider the family context holistically and the types and levels of support the older adult can access  Migrants with Disabilities Forced migration is challenging for migrants with disabilities as they may face barriers to access and participation in humanitarian and other relevant programs due to physical, social, economic, cultural, and political discrimination Immigration legislation has created multiple barriers for people with disabilities who want to immigrate to Canada – Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (2002): outlined that an application for permanent residence would not be accepted if a person’s health were a danger to public health or safety or would cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada  Survivors of Torture Refugees who have survived physical and psychological torture experience multiple challenges with settlement acculturation Experiences of torture may make it more difficult to trust those providing help Social workers should be sensitive to and screen for torture in order to provide targeted assistance for short- and long-term consequences – Consequences may include nightmares, chronic pain, anxiety, irritability, flashbacks, depression, impaired memory or memory loss, sexual dysfunction, and lack of self-esteem