THE PLIGHT FACING IMMIGRANTS   3 
the communities. Therefore, the policies must be followed strictly, to ensure the safety of the 
citizens and that of the immigrants too. According to Haidar (2017), the NASW position statement 
on immigrants was given back in 2015, and it stated that the immigration policies limit the social 
worker’s capacity to assist their clients. NASW noted that the policies were a bit hostile due to the 
limited  family  visitation  and  reunification.  They  added  that  immigration  guidelines  contested 
social work when family offenses become the reason for deportation. This issue made immigrants 
fail to report their arrival, in fear of deportation back to the harsh home countries (Reisch & Garvin, 
2016). 
Back in January 2017, the NASW  stood firm to oppose  the president’s  executive order 
against Muslim immigrants. President Trump had claimed that the order was for the protection of 
Americans against possible terrorist groups most associated with the Muslim religion. However. 
NASW said that the order was inhumane and insensitive. Therefore, they were seeking to have it 
changed, so  that  afflicted  persons  from  different  parts  of  the  world  may  feel welcomed  into 
America, despite their religion (NASW, 2017). 
The  order  required  the  government  to  review  the  practicability  of  suspending  Visa 
Interview Waiver Program, which allowed travelers from 38 different countries to renew travel 
authorizations without face-face interviews (NASW, 2017). The order also prevented individuals 
from dominant Muslim nations from visiting the US. In his view, Trump was thinking about the 
safety of his people, which would always be his priority. However, the order had not considered 
the refugees and immigrants, who in most cases had nowhere else to go. Therefore, NASW was 
upholding the moral responsibility of United States in taking care of the oppressed people. This is 
under the humanitarian acts of the US.