Immigrant Integration Lab
Today's Social Workers Serving Tomorrow's Citizens

About Us

The Immigrant Integration Lab (IIL) is an applied research lab exploring the intersection of social work, social policy, and immigrant inclusion. IIL is committed to social justice, working toward the well-being of immigrants by pursuing a rigorous academic approach that seeks to understand the appropriate services and delivery systems that lead to full social, civic, and economic integration of the foreign born in the United States. Dr. Westy Egmont leads the lab team.

Boston College Graduate School of Social Work is committed to human needs and human rights. The migratory nature of the world has huge implications for delivering care and creating well-being. Immigrants are at once both the concern of social work and the actors who provide new initiatives and new solutions. Understanding the complex interaction of various populations is vital to social welfare and the creation of a just and well functioning society.

What Is Immigrant Integration?

With 38 million foreign born residents, the U.S. addresses both the continuing work of nation building and fostering social cohesion. Social workers, like teachers, are the front line of interactivity with the newcomer population. Displaced and vulnerable populations call for a skilled and insightful workforce to accompany them on their journey.

Immigrant integration is the dynamic two-way process by which an immigrant is incorporated into a new society and the way the society adapts as it incorporates the newcomers. A primary goal of social work on both the clinical and macro level is enabling individuals to avoid marginalization and participate fully in the social, civic, and economic life of their country.

Programs & Resources

Courses: Cross cultural mental health, diversity, cultural competency, immigrant integration, contemporary issues with immigrants and refugees, social transformation, parent engagement, social policy and advocacy

Field Education: Over 100 social service agencies serving immigrants within an hour of Boston College

Life Long Learning: Lecture series, continuing education credits, seminars for clinicians, resource teams, current research

View our news and events stories »
Read our newsletter and join our mailing list »

IIL Advisory Board

Honorary Chair: Honorable Deval Patrick — Governor of Massachusetts

Howard Duncan — Metropolis International
Mary Givagnoli — Immigration Policy Center
Alberto Godenzi — Boston College Graduate School of Social Work
Domingo Martinez — University of Missouri-Cambio
Edward Matos-Schumacher — National Public Radio
Eva Millona — National Partnership for New Americans
Sarah Spenser — COMPAS, Oxford University
Jan Vilcek — Vilcek Foundation

Contact Us

Dr. Westy Egmont
McGuinn Hall 218
617-552-6934
westy.egmont@bc.edu