Every year, thousands of refugees apply for asylum in the United States. They arrive on our shores seeking asylum from political, social, or religious persecution in search of a better life. As the U. S. skilled social workers will be required as the country gets ready to receive a wave of refugees from Ukraine to assist them in adjusting to life in a foreign land. Working with refugees can be fulfilling and influential, whether you’ve always wanted to work in social services or if this recent crisis has you reevaluating the meaning of your life. Here’s how to start your journey:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. To pursue your career as an immigration social worker, you will first need to earn your bachelor’s degree. …
- Earn an MSW degree. …
- Complete an internship. …
- Pass the required licensing exam. …
- Consider earning a specialty credential.
What does an immigration social worker do?
Social workers who specialize in immigration offer a range of services to adults, children, and families. They typically assist their clients in finding helpful resources, such as legal counsel, housing, transportation, financial aid, and other services, that may lessen some of the difficulties associated with immigration. Immigration social workers may offer a variety of services designed to meet the unique needs of immigrants because they may encounter a wide range of challenges during the transitional period. The following are some of the duties an immigration social worker might perform on a daily basis:
These services are especially beneficial for social workers who occasionally have to help undocumented immigrants with legal issues. As a more humane option to the U.S. government, immigration social workers in some situations might offer services and lodging for families. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement departments regulations and detention centers. Giving undocumented immigrants this option can help them access kinder, less-punitive options during their transition, visa application process, and documentation procedures.
Immigration social workers may work in a variety of settings that prioritize immigration support and policy. Nonprofit organizations, community and family services organizations, bicultural centers, local government, healthcare organizations, and schools are some examples of these settings. Immigration social workers may conduct fieldwork by visiting clients at their homes or places of employment in addition to working frequently in an office setting.
What is an immigration social worker?
Immigration social workers are certified professionals with a focus on assisting immigrant families, kids, and teenagers. When immigrant families go through transitions or go through other processes that have an effect on their daily lives and well-being, they may provide support. The majority of immigration social workers work toward the multifaceted objective of providing families with access to immigration assistance and ensuring their general safety and security.
Social workers typically do not need to be experts in immigration matters, unlike consultants or attorneys who work in the field. Their main responsibility is to help families access and secure those resources that can provide relief and ease any transitional challenges, even though they may need to understand commonly used terminology, financial assistance options, and policies.
How to become an immigration social worker
Depending on the precise services you want to offer to your clients, there are various paths you can take to become an immigration social worker. Since they primarily focus on assisting clients in gaining access to community-based services and rarely need to provide clinical services as part of their jobs, the majority of immigration social workers traditionally pursue licensure as licensed master social workers (LMSWs). However, you can pursue a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) credential through a more drawn-out licensure process if you’re interested in providing clinical options to your clients.
In light of this distinction, the first, simpler path to becoming an immigration social worker entails the following five fundamental steps:
1. Earn a bachelors degree
You must first obtain your bachelor’s degree if you want to work as an immigration social worker. Choosing a subject area that is pertinent, such as sociology, psychology, public health, or international studies, may be beneficial. You could also pursue a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) degree, which equips graduates for careers in social work and provides easy access to internships. Whatever path you choose in terms of your major, you can learn the fundamental skills required to comprehend social issues, solutions, and the services available to assist clients in fostering welfare during your undergraduate studies.
Learning a second language could be helpful while pursuing your bachelor’s degree. As your career develops, this can help you become fluent in two or more languages, which will improve your ability to assist clients who are immigrants. Since many Americans already speak Spanish and a sizable portion of immigrants to the U.S. are of Hispanic descent, being able to speak and write in Spanish can be extremely helpful in immigration social work roles. S. do as well.
2. Earn an MSW degree
You must pursue a master’s in social work (MSW) after earning your bachelor’s degree. As your career develops, this degree will enable you to become qualified to practice as a LMSW. Numerous colleges and universities provide programs designed specifically for social workers interested in serving immigrant clients. This kind of programming is frequently provided by schools in areas with a high immigrant population.
Researching specialized programs that give MSW candidates access to curricula designed to support immigrants and refugees is therefore beneficial. Additionally, look for a program that best suits your requirements in terms of commitment and scheduling. The majority of MSW programs require at least two years of full-time study, but many universities also offer unconventional part-time or online options.
3. Complete an internship
You’ll probably need to finish an internship or practicum while enrolled in your MSW program in order to graduate and receive your degree. Working closely with immigrant clients in authentic settings during your internship will give you the opportunity to learn through experience and gain practical training. Although you may work with other populations during your internship, it can be advantageous to gain experience while in graduate school working in your desired specialty.
Prior to graduation, these internships typically require 900 hours of fieldwork; however, this number may vary depending on the requirements of a particular program. Internships at community health organizations, hospitals, family health organizations, bicultural centers, nonprofit organizations, and other places are available for aspiring immigration social workers.
4. Pass the required licensing exam
Once you have earned your MSW, you must work toward obtaining state licensing in your area. Research the specific conditions outlined for social workers in your area as most states have their own licensing requirements. To become an LMSW, however, you typically need to pass a common licensing exam offered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) or another governing body. After passing this test and receiving licensure from your state, you can look for openings and start working as an immigration social worker.
5. Consider earning a specialty credential
It can be beneficial to pursue specialized professional development opportunities to hone your skills as a social worker in the field of immigration once you establish yourself as a professional and start your career. Although there isn’t a recognized certification for professionals in immigration social work, obtaining a different specialty certification can be helpful. By taking additional development courses and passing certification exams, you can decide to obtain certifications that formally recognize your abilities in this field. A few certifications that immigration social workers might pursue include the following:
Job outlook and salary
As a result of this growth rate, which is much faster than the average for all occupations, there will be an increase of about 713,200 jobs in the sector. The BLS ascribes this high growth potential to the rise in the need for professionals who can support people in making healthy life decisions and promoting wellness during times of adjustment and challenge in their lives. Social workers who work with elderly clients, families, and clients who struggle with substance abuse will experience the greatest growth in job opportunities. Given that they work directly with children and families, immigration social workers may benefit from a similar trend in their particular subfield as a result.
Immigration social worker skills
Immigration social workers need to develop a variety of skills to succeed in their careers. Here are a few of those skills explained:
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Social work with immigrants and refugees
FAQ
Can a social worker work in immigration?
To ensure the safety, permanence, and wellbeing of immigrant children, youth, and families, social workers can help them access immigration assistance and services.
What degree do I need to help immigrants?
U. S. Immigration officers are employed by the federal agency Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Most immigration officers are required to have a bachelor’s degree, but prior government experience occasionally can be substituted. Frequently, more senior positions call for at least a year of graduate study.
Can social workers work internationally?
Many social workers are drawn to international travel and desire to expand their domestic experience. International settings can benefit from domestic social workers’ abilities and traits, and nonprofit and humanitarian organizations can find them especially useful.
Can I immigrate to Canada as a social worker?
You must have your foreign credentials accredited in order for them to be recognized in Canada if you want to reside and work as a social worker there. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) attests to the validity and conformity of your degree, diploma, or certificate to Canadian standards.
