Social policies can have a significant impact on individuals and families, as well as the organizations and agencies that implement the policies. In some cases, the policy, as written, appears comprehensive and effective. Yet, despite appearances, the policy might fail to be effective as a result of improper implementation, interpretation, and/or application of the policy. As a social worker, how might you reduce the potential negative impact faulty social policies might have on organizations and agencies, as well as the populations you serve? For this Discussion , review this week’s resources, including cases “Working with Immigrants and Refugees: The Case of Luisa” and “Social Work Policy: Benefit Administration and Provision.” Then, select either of the cases and consider how the social welfare policies presented in the case influenced the problems facing Luisa or Tessa. Finally, think about how policies affect social agencies and how social workers work with clients such as Tessa or Luisa. By Day 3 Post an explanation of the effects of the social welfare policies presented in the case study you selected on Luisa or Tessa. Be specific and reference the case study you selected in your post. Finally, explain how policies affect social agencies and how social workers work with clients, such as Tessa or Luisa. Working With Immigrants and Refugees: The Case of Luisa Luisa is a 36-year-old, married, Latino female who immigrated to the United States from Colombia. She speaks only Spanish, so a translator must be used for communication. She came to the United States on a visa, but remained beyond the allotted time. While in the United States, she met and married Hugo, who was in the country with documentation. Once Luisa married Hugo, she became pregnant with a daughter, who is now 3 years old. Luisa has a 10-year-old son named Juan in Colombia. Luisa has always had the desire to reunite with Juan and bring him to the United States to live with her. After her marriage and status change, she began the process of sponsoring Juan. She has been advised that in order for sponsorship to be achieved, she cannot receive welfare benefits because she needs to prove that she can support herself and her child. Luisa came to the local welfare agency after she and her daughter entered the domestic violence shelter. She reported that Hugo had a history of violence, which was exacerbated when he drank alcohol. Hugo had been drinking more frequently, and the episodes of violence had increased in severity. The domestic violence program requires all residents to apply for any available benefits in order to remain enrolled in their services. In one particular episode, Hugo almost fractured her orbital bones. She had extensive facial bruising and blood pooled in one eye. Luisa is quite fearful of Hugo. She is also financially dependent on him. She is reluctant to apply for benefits because she fears that this will compromise her ability to sponsor her son .

1. Social policies can have a significant impact on individuals and
families, as well as the organizations and agencies that
implement the policies. In some cases, the policy, as written,
appears comprehensive and effective. Yet, despite appearances,
the policy might fail to be effective as a result of improper
implementation, interpretation, and/or application of the policy.
As a social worker, how might you reduce the potential negative
impact faulty social policies might have on organizations and
agencies, as well as the populations you serve?
For this Discussion
, review this week’s resources, including cases “Working with
Immigrants and Refugees: The Case of Luisa” and “Social Work
Policy: Benefit Administration and Provision.” Then, select
either of the cases and consider how the social welfare policies
presented in the case influenced the problems facing Luisa or
Tessa. Finally, think about how policies affect social agencies
and how social workers work with clients such as Tessa or
Luisa.
By Day 3
Post
an explanation of the effects of the social welfare policies
presented in the case study you selected on Luisa or Tessa. Be
specific and reference the case study you selected in your post.
Finally, explain how policies affect social agencies and how
social workers work with clients, such as Tessa or Luisa.
Working With Immigrants and Refugees: The Case of Luisa
Luisa is a 36-year-old, married, Latino female who immigrated

2. to the United States from Colombia. She speaks only Spanish,
so a translator must be used for communication. She came to the
United States on a visa, but remained beyond the allotted time.
While in the United States, she met and married Hugo, who was
in the country with documentation. Once Luisa married Hugo,
she became pregnant with a daughter, who is now 3 years old.
Luisa has a 10-year-old son named Juan in Colombia. Luisa has
always had the desire to reunite with Juan and bring him to the
United States to live with her. After her marriage and status
change, she began the process of sponsoring Juan. She has been
advised that in order for sponsorship to be achieved, she cannot
receive welfare benefits because she needs to prove that she can
support herself and her child.
Luisa came to the local welfare agency after she and her
daughter entered the domestic violence shelter. She reported
that Hugo had a history of violence, which was exacerbated
when he drank alcohol. Hugo had been drinking more
frequently, and the episodes of violence had increased in
severity. The domestic violence program requires all residents
to apply for any available benefits in order to remain enrolled in
their services.
In one particular episode, Hugo almost fractured her orbital
bones. She had extensive facial bruising and blood pooled in
one eye. Luisa is quite fearful of Hugo. She is also financially
dependent on him. She is reluctant to apply for benefits because
she fears that this will compromise her ability to sponsor her
son in Colombia. She is tearful and tells me that she cannot
sacrifice her son’s opportunity to come to the United States.
Luisa is socially isolated because she has no family in the
United States, and Hugo has restricted her ability to socialize
and establish friendships. However, she is a practicing Catholic
and does belong to a church that offers bilingual services.

3. Luisa began to discuss returning to Hugo because she felt that
this was her only viable option. I advised her that under the new
federal changes in immigration laws she might be allowed to
apply for benefits and still sponsor her son because she is
experiencing domestic violence. I explained that we would need
to speak to an immigration lawyer to verify this, but it could
possibly be an alternative to returning to Hugo.
Luisa reported that she had given money to lawyers in the past
who had been unhelpful. She was suspicious of the law’s ability
to protect her. Hugo had also threatened to report her to the
authorities, stating that he would tell them she only married him
to remain in the country. Although this is not true, she feared
that he would do this, and she would never see her daughter
again.
I offered to speak with someone at the domestic violence
program and advocate that they allow her some time to research
her options. I told Luisa that these were difficult decisions to
make and that she would be supported in her decision. I told her
that she knew what was best for her family. I offered to research
the options that she might have under this new federal program.
I also asked for permission to contact the priest at her church so
that she might be able to review her situation with a religious
leader in the community. Luisa agreed.
Two weeks later, Luisa applied for services on behalf of her
daughter and herself. She has decided not to return to Hugo.