Discussion:
Case study on issues in immigration
Esmeralda Trujillo, 35, has lived in your community for six months with her four children, ages 4, 6, 10, and 15. The family is living with relatives in a small house on the outskirts of the city, and they cannot stay there much longer. In Guatemala, Esmeralda lived with her husband, had a garden that virtually fed the family, and spent part of her time weaving and sewing garments to sell at the local market. Her husband left to look for work "up north" and she has not heard from him for five months. Esmeralda has a chronic cough and a skin rash. She speaks very little English. She has found occasional work cleaning houses, but it has not been enough to support her and the children. She has come to your agency asking for help and you are her case worker. Your job is to help her obtain the services she needs.
Answer each of the following questions in a short paragraph:
1.What do you need to find out about Esmeralda and her family and how will you do that?
2.What are the psychological, medical, and social issues she may be facing?
3.What do you need to know about her culture? How will you obtain that information?
4.How do you approach her in a culturally sensitive way? What pitfalls must you avoid?
5.Knowing what you know so far, what services might be helpful for Esmeralda?