Social Work Practice with Mexican Clients

Abstract

SUMMARY This article surveys the history of Mexican-United States relations and discusses implications for social work practice engaging the undocumented Mexican population in treatment. Methods of service provision that seek to minimize clients' fear of obtaining social services are discussed. Factors considered include: self-awareness and cultural competency on the part of the worker, trauma symptoms arising from migration, and agency policy considerations that impact service delivery. Practitioners must be educated about immigration policies and public benefits and services available to illegal entrants. Agencies and social workers have to work to engage and empower Mexican clients to enjoy their civil rights in the United States as they build families and flourish in this country.