Understanding Identity Based Discrimination: Immigrant Women of African Descent's Experiences in Social and Human Service Agencies

Background:
Immigrant women of African descent (IWAD) represent a growing demographic in the United States, with an estimated 1.7 million residing across the country. Despite their increasing presence, their unique experiences within social and human service agencies remain largely invisible in the academic literature. Like their U.S.-born Black counterparts, IWAD often navigate systemic anti-Black racism and sexism; however, they also contend with anti-immigrant bias and cultural dissonance that further complicate their engagement with support systems. These intersecting oppressions create distinct challenges that are insufficiently addressed in current social work research and practice. Most existing studies have examined racial discrimination in isolation, without fully exploring how race, gender, immigration status, and cultural identity interact to shape IWAD's experiences in social and human services. This study sought to understand how IWAD describe their agency encounters, interpret their treatment, and envision improved service delivery to meet their needs.

Methods:
This qualitative study employed an exploratory design to center the narratives of IWAD and foreground their lived experiences. Participants (N=10) were recruited through purposive sampling and represented diverse African descended national backgrounds, ages, and lengths of residence in the United States. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to elicit detailed reflections on participants' interactions with social and human service agencies, including services related to housing, health, employment, and public benefits. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, which allowed for iterative engagement with the data and deep reflexivity in theme development. The research team employed memo writing, peer debriefing, and multiple coding cycles to ensure trustworthiness and capture the complexity of participants' experiences.

Results:
Four primary themes emerged from the analysis. First, participants identified accessibility challenges stemming from unfamiliar bureaucratic processes, language barriers, and a lack of culturally appropriate outreach. Many described feeling lost, overwhelmed, or unsupported when attempting to access services. Second, identity-based treatment disparities surfaced as a core theme, with participants recounting experiences of racial microaggressions, accent discrimination, and cultural stereotyping. These interactions often led to feelings of invisibility, frustration, and mistrust. Third, while many experiences were negative, some participants described meaningful moments of support and empathy from individual providers, which they interpreted as exceptions rather than the norm. These positive interpersonal experiences underscored the importance of provider sensitivity and relational engagement. Finally, participants strongly emphasized the need for improved cultural competence, diversity, and inclusion within agencies. They recommended hiring more culturally and linguistically diverse staff, implementing anti-bias training, and creating participatory spaces where immigrant voices could inform policy and program development.

Conclusion:
IWAD face structural and interpersonal barriers in social and human services, compounded by their intersecting identities. Their narratives highlight the urgent need for culturally responsive, equity-driven practices and policy in social work—reimagining service delivery models to reflect complexities of immigrant life, diversifying the workforce, and confronting institutional racism and xenophobia. By amplifying IWAD voices, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how social systems can become more inclusive, accountable, and just for all communities they aim to serve.