Invited Symposium III: Social Work Practice and Research to Advance Human Rights in Immigration Detention [presented in person and live streamed]

In the symposia titled, “Social Work Practice and Research to Advance Human Rights in Immigration Detention� participants will discuss trends in the US carceral system; practices and policies that violate international human rights law; social work/legal collaborations in the context of social work practice and research; and steps for advocacy and generating knowledge that is focused on promoting the human rights of migrants, many of whom are vulnerable women and children that seek refuge from environmental, political, interpersonal, and community violence in their countries of origin. Dr. David Androff (Arizona State University School of Social Work) will start the symposia by discussing the cost of detaining migrants; trends in the carceral system; and perspectives on social work and legal collaborations. Ms. Lillian R. Aponte, ESQ. (Co-executive director, the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project) and Ms. Kailin Porter, MSW (Social service manager, the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights) with discuss their organization, the Florence Project, and the work done with migrants in detention centers and their advocacy to end migrant incarceration. Dr. Monica Faulkner (University of Texas, Steven Hicks School of Social Work) will discuss her research, advocacy, and practice at Girasol; a center that strives to help Texas immigrant children and families. Dr. Faulkner has trained social workers to assist with credible fear interviews with women and children in several Texas migrant detention centers. In the post-detention context, Dr Faulkner conducts forensic evaluations for trafficking and violence against women cases and conducts research and evaluation with organizations that serve immigrant children and families in Texas. Finally, Dr. Jodi Berger Cardoso (University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work) will facilitate an interactive question and answer session that will bring the community and researchers together to discuss how we can strive towards anti-oppressive social work research and practice in the context of work with immigrants and refugees.