Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Immigrants are barred from obtaining most federal and state funded services (Drachman, 1995). The social work profession espouses the ideal of social justice, thus has an ethical imperative to serve those in need regardless of immigration status. This poses a dilemma for organizations receiving government funding, an issue not often addressed by researchers (Martinez-Brawley & Zorita, 2001; Le-Doux & Stephens, 1992). This study sought to investigate the response of human service organizations to Latino immigration in one impacted state and how these organizations are coping with the dilemma. New Jersey represents a microcosm of other parts of the country. It has the third largest percent of immigrants, over 43% from Latin America, many undocumented (Migration Policy Institute, 2005).

Methods:

Twenty (20) human service administrators in areas with large Latino populations in New Jersey were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Research questions focused on agency responses to the new immigrant population, barriers and constraints for immigrants and agencies, and strategies used to overcome barriers.

Qualitative responses were analyzed generating patterns, themes and categories using inductive grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967), following sequential stages outlined by Strauss and Corbin (1990). Atlas Ti was further used in such analysis. Further, a conceptual mapping (visual display) of qualitative themes and their relationships was employed to better understand relationships among the data (Gioia, 2004; Straus & Corbin, 1998).

Results:

Of the three types of organizations represented in this sample, Nonprofit Faith-based (NPFB), Nonprofit Hispanic (NPH), and Nonprofit General (NPG), most reported the same types of barriers to service: language, lack of documentation, lack of awareness of resources, a climate of increasing hostility to Latino immigrants. Agency barriers in providing service depended on the type of agency. NPFB and NPH organizations believe it their mission to provide services regardless of status or eligibility. As many of their clients were undocumented, they developed an informal network to refer clients to needed services. NPG organizations felt more constrained by funding source and eligibility requirements. Funding and staffing were a problem for all, but NPG organizations' problems were compounded by lack of bilingual staff.

Implications for Policy and Practice:

On a policy level, this constitutes both a human rights and a human capital issue. A large number of immigrants have children born in this county and are likely to remain; it is in the country's best interest to be sure that all of its residents are healthy and educated.

On a practice level, when federal and state laws bar undocumented persons from obtaining needed services with public funds, nonprofits committed to serve these populations require other means of support. Some agencies have been creative in finding ways to provide services to undocumented clients but alternative sources of funding are still needed.