Examines some of the common experiences immigrants and refugees encounter in the process of migration and adaptation to their new country. Immigrants and refugees in the United States are defined according to the legal authorization by which they enter or remain in the country. Moreover, the status of a refugee or immigrant, lawful permanent resident, or undocumented person determines the services to which he or she is entitled. The growth and composition of the immigrant and refugee population have implications for U.S. society, and demographic data suggest that the well-being of this population is critical to the well-being of the nation. Yet, immigrants and refugees receive an ambivalent welcome in the U.S. They also experience multiple stresses as they seek to adapt to a new environment and culture: loss of social status and social roles, poverty, unemployment, language barriers, and racism and prejudice. Nonetheless, many immigrants and refugees have developed coping mechanisms, often involving family and community support systems. In order to provide effective assistance, social workers need to understand the social, political, and economic factors surrounding their clients’ departure from their home country and their particular experiences of resettlement, including degree of cumulative stress.
