As we recognized Black History Month in February, I thought about the rich heritage of Americans whose ancestry traces back to many African nations. I also reflected on the barbaric and unprecedented system of slavery that would last more than 200 years and forever leave a scar on the landscape of our country.
Given the current political climate and the renewed conversation about birthright citizenship, I spent some time researching who the United States has identified as “unwelcome” immigrants since its founding and how the U.S. has addressed birthright citizenship in the past.
This is not a new issue, but it has been, and still is, used to divide a nation comprising many cultures. This exclusion strategy often oppresses populations of color and individuals without adequate support systems. Here are a few examples:
- The 1619 Project is accused of rewriting American history by centering the experiences of Black Americans. I could argue that it did not rewrite history, but told the nation’s true history. Although American colonists did not invent slavery—and the transition from indentured servitude to a legalized system of full-blown chattel slavery for African laborers took over many decades—1619 marks the beginning of race-based bondage. This legacy continues to shape the American experience not only for African Americans, but also Indigenous, Asian and Latino populations.
- In the Dred Scott case in 1857, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that Black people were not entitled to citizenship. Finally, at the end of the Civil War, Congress ratified the 14th Amendment to the Constitution in 1868, guaranteeing citizenship for all, including Black Americans.
- The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 barred Chinese immigrants from ever becoming citizens and called for the deportation of any Chinese who arrived after 1880. In a case brought by Wong Kim Ark in 1898, the Supreme Court ruled that the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment automatically confers citizenship to all U.S.-born citizens, regardless of status. Wong Kim Ark was born in the U.S. to Chinese parents.
- The Mexican-American War ended in 1848. New Mexico, a border state, extended U.S. citizenship to residents of Mexican and Spanish descent under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended that war. On June 2, 1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, which authorized the Secretary of the Interior to issue citizenship certificates to Native Americans.
Please excuse my journey into history, but there seems to be a pattern here. We are currently witnessing actions by the new Trump administration that not only harm vulnerable populations, but also threaten the foundation of our democracy.
This is not a time for the faint of heart. This is a time of courage to help our clients navigate intentional fear and chaos. This is a time for steady, constant, positive action.
NASW is closely monitoring the Trump administration’s actions and responding with purpose. We are using our numerous communication channels to inform social workers about the impact of the flurry of executive orders signed in January and February. NASW also is working in coalitions to achieve legislative and legal actions that block or overturn the orders.
It’s a tense time, and here are five ways you can help:
- Offer support to threatened populations.
- Contact your lawmakers and explain what’s happening.
- Donate to groups that are pushing back, to the extent you are able.
- Call out hate and bigotry, but only if it is safe to do so.
- Practice self-care and protect your loved ones.
Regarding the last bullet item, NASW is urging all social workers to practice self-care, which in turn enables you to more effectively help others. In fact, our profession’s Code of Ethics (linked here) was amended in 2021 to include this important concept. It says:
“Professional self-care is paramount for competent and ethical social work practice. Professional demands, challenging workplace climates, and exposure to trauma warrant that social workers maintain personal and professional health, safety, and integrity. Social work organizations, agencies, and educational institutions are encouraged to promote organizational policies, practices, and materials to support social workers’ self-care.”
You may say we have been here before, but I believe this is different. All of the “isms” and “phobias” are acting together to overturn decades of earned progress and inclusion. Our profession was created to be a lifeline for vulnerable populations, but to continue that work we must make sure we also are OK.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama once said, “When they go low, we go high.” Take the high road for yourselves and the communities you serve. I’ll meet you there.
Contact Yvonne Chase at president@socialworkers.org