Latin American Social Workers Playing a Silent Yet Vital Role in Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis in the U.S
COMMUNITYFLORIDA
Debora Braga suggests that the U.S should open its doors to Latin American social workers to provide more effective assistance to immigrants already in the country. These professionals can also offer support and essential information to be shared in their home countries. "We are working tirelessly to offer them all the necessary support, with information being the most crucial tool to deter illegal immigration and criminal involvement," she emphasizes.
As the world tentatively recovers from the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new global shockwave has emerged in the form of the Ukraine war. The ramifications of this conflict are being felt worldwide, and the Latin American region is not immune to the complexities and challenges that this evolving global context presents. Over the past years, a silent yet profoundly important social work effort has been quietly making a difference, providing assistance to the Latin American population. The results of this work are now beginning to manifest even in the United States.
Projections for the growth of Latin American countries in 2022 have recently been revised downward by financial institutions, now estimating between 1.8% and 2.4%, on average. These adjustments are indicative of the considerable challenges faced by these nations. While each country has its own unique economic characteristics, they all grapple with similar external factors that continue to contribute to inflationary issues, heightened volatility, and increased financial pressures.
Debora Braga, a dedicated social worker and humanitarian activist with a remarkable 30-year track record of leading critical social projects in Brazil, and 15 years of work in Colombia, sheds light on the silent work that has been taking place. She emphasizes that without these efforts over the past years, the humanitarian crisis in the U.S could be even more severe. "The numbers clearly show that when Latin Americans feel unsafe in their own countries, they often look to move to the U.S without proper immigration support," she explains.
The ongoing surge of unaccompanied children arriving at the United States' southern border is an international humanitarian and refugee crisis that demands urgent attention and resolution. Thousands of young lives are in jeopardy as children seek refuge after fleeing from Central America's "Northern Triangle," comprising El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. These nations are plagued by organized crime, violence, human trafficking, and persecution, with the region boasting the world's highest homicide rate. For instance, San Pedro Sula in Honduras is notorious as the world's murder capital, with 187 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, primarily driven by surges in gang and drug-trafficking violence.
Debora Braga suggests that the U.S should open its doors to Latin American social workers to provide more effective assistance to immigrants already in the country. These professionals can also offer support and essential information to be shared in their home countries. "We are working tirelessly to offer them all the necessary support, with information being the most crucial tool to deter illegal immigration and criminal involvement," she emphasizes.
Latin America finds itself at the confluence of three simultaneous crises. The first stems from the immediate impact of COVID-19, the second from years of deteriorating social conditions, and the third from economic stagnation within the region. "There is much to be done. U.S. social workers and border control are collaborating to safeguard people's lives. It is time to expand social work initiatives across the country and continue providing crucial assistance to the most vulnerable communities in Latin America," states Debora Braga.
Débora Braga, a 60-year-old Montessorian Professor with specialization in teacher education and a pedagogue, is a passionate advocate for human rights. For over 30 years, she has directed a project initiated by her mother, activist Vera Lúcia Braga, located on the long beach in Brazil. Additionally, she has worked on a similar human restoration project in Colombia for nine years. She brings 12 years of experience from the German Pharmaceutical Multinational, Hoechst do Brasil. She has chaired the Teachers, Parents, and Students Associations (PTA) at Westminster School in Mexico and the PTA at Nicholas School in São Paulo, Brazil. Débora Braga is multilingual, fluent in French, German, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.