Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Contemporary Immigration Policies and Practices
— Part of the 2025 NASW-NYC/NYS Immigration Series
Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Time: 7:00PM-8:00PM EST
Format: Live Webinar
Presenters:
Dr. Elaine Congress
Dr. Eric Levine
Earn 1.0 Continuing Education Credit Hours
(For licensed social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists.)
Pricing
- NASW-NYS or NASW-NYC Members: $0
- NASW Other Chapter Members: $0
- Non-Members: $0
- NASW-NYS Student & Transitional Members: Non-CU FREE
Workshop Description
Immigrants in the United States are among the most vulnerable of all Americans. The frightening reality is that U.S. immigration policy has terrorized our immigrant neighbors for years. Immigrant families have been in desperation mode, fearful of being swept up in deportation raids - even those who have been here for decades, even those who have recognized resident or citizen status. The Administration has sought to block immigrants, asylees or refugees from many countries from entering the country, especially those of “color," even those who have completed the already strict vetting process. The government’s current agenda belies America’s history of welcome for immigrants, although it is a very mixed history. In many ways, our story of immigration is a myth. This relentless and multipronged attack on immigrants is only the tip of the iceberg: it indicates a wider, sustained assault on democracy, social justice and human rights in this country. The damage perpetrated on immigrants will likely take years to repair, in terms of their health and mental health needs as well as their legal status and treatment at the hands of the immigration system. With the arrival of a new President and Administration, the cause of protecting our immigrant friends, family and neighbors has taken on greater significance.
From the very beginning of our profession when we first worked in settlement houses social workers provided support to immigrants who often encountered prejudice since they arrived in the United States. Our NASW Code of Ethics was revised in 2008 to state specifically that social workers should not practice any form of discrimination based on immigration status. As social workers it is important that we understand the cultural differences of our clients in order to better engage with them and provide appropriate services. Thus, Elaine Congress developed the culturagram, a family assessment tool that looks at ten important areas. Now we are keenly aware of oppression and discrimination related to legal status. This concern about cultural differences and prejudice is not a new issue for social workers.
In this session, Dr. Elaine Congress and Dr. Eric Levine will discuss the philosophical, ethical and practice implications of immigration. They will reflect on the Code of Ethics and moral theory for the grounding of our field's deep commitment and involvement in the immigration issue, covering the racist and prejudiced underpinnings and functioning of the American immigration system historically. The global migration crisis has further exposed pre-existing inequities, and the heightened risks of suffering and precarity for immigrants. They will conclude with the tools and ways social workers can be involved in this issue.
Learning Objectives:
After this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the trends in immigration policy
- Impact of racism on immigration policy
- Ethical grounding of why we advocate for the immigrant population
- Identify the ways that participants can incorporate the information and skills into professional practice
- Learn concrete advocacy tools
About the Presenter
Dr. Eric Levine, DSW, LMSW, MSW has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, with particular expertise in organizational management, policy, fundraising, budgeting, marketing, strategic planning and community organizing. He began his career directing anti-poverty agencies and grassroots organizing in the South Bronx, including directing Summer Youth Employment and Youth Employment Training programs. His career also includes direct hands-on experience in community relations, education, and social services. Dr. Levine held senior positions in the Jewish Federation movement, where he raised millions of dollars in fundraising campaigns, and directed communal planning and allocations and grantmaking. He also directed Touro's institutional advancement department. Dr. Levine earned the DSW and MSW degrees from Yeshiva University, where he taught for many years. His passion is professional ethics, and at Touro Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW), Dr. Levine teaches and oversees the curriculum for the required course, Ethics for Social Work Practice/Service Delivery. In addition to teaching, he serves as a faculty advisor and directs GSSW's Alumni Association, continuing education and licensing and career support programs, fundraising, and grants management. Dr. Levine is co-editor of four books and numerous publications and is a member of the Board of Copy Editors for the International Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics. He has been an active member of the National Association of Social Workers NYC Chapter and is a member of the Chapter's Ethics Committee. He is the co-founder of Social Workers for Immigration Justice. He is an editor and contributor to two books in progress, including a new textbook on resolving ethical dilemmas in social work practice.
Dr. Elaine Congress, MSW, LCSW, DSW is Associate Dean and Professor at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York City. Each year she oversees a group of MSW students in macro practice activities at the United Nations, as well as in community and professional organization settings. At the United Nations she represents the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and the Institute for Multicultural Counseling and Education Services (IMCES). A prolific author Dr. Congress’s publications focus on multicultural perspectives, social work ethics, and education. She has written a book on Social Work Values and Ethics and is now working with Dr. Levine on a textbook on Social Work Ethics. She is very interested in ethnical decision making and developed the ETHIC model a simple guide to help practitioners who have limited time make ethical decisions based on social work values and ethical principles. Since she first began her professional social work career in direct practice with immigrants she has participated in many local, professional, national, and international programs to educate others and advocate for the rights of immigrants. To help practitioners understand and work more effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds she developed the Culturagram a family assessment tool to facilitate and engage individuals and families from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
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