Immigration Policy

Abstract One of the most controversial issues in immigration policies and practices in the United States is the long history of rejection and abuse of the native cultures that existed prior to the conquest in the Western Hemisphere and the subsequent rejection of non-White immigrants since the founding of the United States. Immigration policies prior to the 21st century failed to anticipate rapid increases in immigration associated with globalization, as well as the impact of climate change and the rise of health emergencies. COVID-19 has forced policymakers and practitioners to rethink how to address irregular immigration in the middle of a communicative disease pandemic that has no borders. A critical lens that accounts for interpersonal, structural, and institutional racism is necessary and timely for examining immigration policy. The authors phenomenologically inquired about immigration policy, both retrospectively and prospectively, with the use of autoethnography as their primary research tool of data collection, combined with text analysis of the literature. The authors make the case for better integration of immigration issues in social work education and research so that future generations may become competent in working with immigrants in the United States with different legal statuses as well as with refugees arriving via resettlement programs. The authors call on social workers to (a) engage in a better understanding of why humane immigration policies align with social work values; (b) consider the influence of immigration policies on clients, regardless of their race and ethnic background; and (c) monitor the impacts of immigration policy on community health and well-being.