Human Rights-Based Social Work Practice with Immigrants and Asylum Seekers in a Legal Service Organization

Area of Science:

• Social Work
• Human Rights Law
• Immigration Studies

Background:

• The human rights of immigrants and asylum seekers are increasingly threatened by restrictive asylum policies and the convergence of immigration and criminal law ('crimmigration').
• Social work practice is a critical, yet under-explored, area in advocating for the rights of these vulnerable groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role and perception of social work practice within a legal service organization serving immigrants and asylum seekers.
• To examine how a rights-based approach, integrating social and legal services, impacts the protection and promotion of human rights for this population.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative research study was conducted involving 27 participants, including social workers, lawyers, and administrators.
• Data were gathered through five focus groups and one individual interview with key informants.

Main Results:

• Participants identified human rights as a core motivation and integral component of social work practice.
• Social workers viewed their practice as a crucial response to the erosion of rights for immigrants and asylum seekers.
• The legal service organization's integrated, rights-based approach was described as effective in protecting and promoting human rights.

Conclusions:

• Social work practice is essential in defending the human rights of immigrants and asylum seekers facing legal and systemic challenges.
• A rights-based approach, combining social and legal services, offers a valuable model for social work in this field.
• This study highlights the significance of rights-based frameworks in social work to advocate for vulnerable populations.