Working with Immigrants and Refugees

immigrant

a person who lives permanently in a foreign country

refugee

a person outside their country who is unable or unwilling to return due to persecution or well-founded fear of persecution due to race, political affiliation, etc. or due to necessity

• given protections under international law and conventions and life-saving support from aid agencies

asylum seeker

seeking international protection from dangers in their country, but whose claim for refugee status has not been determined legally

top countries refugees come from

1. afghanstan

2. syria

3. ukraine

phases of refugee experience

• pre-migration

• migreation

• post-migration

challenges faced my immigrants/refugees

• language barrier

• loneliness/isolation

• social and cultural differences

• fast pace american lifestyle

• poverty

• transportation problem

• racism/ discrimination

• students 5x more likely be out of school than non-refugees

• girls often have to take care of siblings

• older children at risk of dropping out

immigrant perceptions of Americans

• cold

• distant

• “space bubble”

• not warm or demonstrative

• less respectful of elders

• differences in use of eye contact

• americans more direct, confrontational

• can also be “more indirect” or “sugarcoat”

perceptions of disability in home country

• lack of awareness about disabilities/stigma/disgrace

• acceptance

• bad karam/sins of ancestors/ will of God

• pitied

considerations for assessment and intervention

• identify the language(s) of the child

• research similarities and differences

• be careful using info on wikipedia

• look for cultural broker

• look for a quality interpreter and plan to spend time with them for a quality experience

• degree of assimilation/acculturation

• stage of second language acquisition

more considerations

• use ethnographic interviewing techniques

• alternatives to standardized testing

• be patient