Editorial Spotlight: The Immigration Humanitarian Crisis Is Not Going Away—And Social Work Needs to Step Up

Connecting the Dots: October 2019 Immigration IssueBy Allie Long

In an article originally published in the December 2018 issue of the Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, social work practitioners and authors Megan Finno-Velasquez and Monica Faulkner wrote an editorial surrounding the myths and misinformation on the border, and how social workers are uniquely positioned to help. Almost one year later, their call to action is as relevant as ever.

Historically, social work as a discipline has been firmly rooted in issues related to immigration and child welfare. Through their own professional observations, Finno-Velasquez and Faulkner addressed three gaps that current social work discourse has created in regards to the separation crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. They are as follows:

Three observations and solutions to better support humanitarian border efforts

While the border crisis can at times feel overwhelming and insurmountable, we must remember that this notion is categorically untrue. Through the suggested solutions listed above, the authors break down concrete examples of accessible methods for change. In so doing, they provide us with an excellent opportunity to remember the purpose behind our passion so that we, as social workers, may all become more visible within our country’s current dialogue through whatever of the various accessible methods speak loudest to us.

To read the full editorial, click here.