This article identifies the different problems immigrants and refugees face in the United States, especially socioeconomic and psychosocial concerns that often relate to the experience of migration. Traditional familial roles and responsibilities are frequently challenged, exacerbated by sociocultural differences and inadequate understandings between the new arrivals and the host country. Essential in assessments of immigrant and refugee families is evaluating resources for social, economic, and cultural integration; discriminating between realistic and unrealistic expectations; evaluating families' problem-solving abilities; exploring family functioning within the context of heritage; identifying the transferability of work skills; and gauging families' learning capabilities and motivation for adaptation. © 2005 Child Welfare League of America.

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cultural anthropology unemployment Cultural Diversity Communication Barriers refugee psychological aspect human communication disorder Refugees Professional-Patient Relations health status policy information service language ethnology Social Work Information Services human relation United States Humans family Acculturation cultural factor Article organization and management migration legal aspect Emigration and Immigration social class public policy Health Services Accessibility health care delivery