Why was Albert concerned that Carlos may be in the country illegally?

Question

Albert Mendoza was a baccalaureate social work intern at Crime Victims Center, an agency serving crime victims. His client, Carlos Hernandez, was a Mexican immigrant who sought both financial assistance for medical care and counseling for his family after they were assaulted in their home. Carlos was unable to communicate in English, and Albert had difficulty with his limited Spanish language proficiency. Albert began to suspect that Carlos was in the country illegally. He worried that he didn’t know the law about services available to illegal immigrants, specifically the Crime Victim’s Compensation funds. The agency did not have another Spanish-speaking worker, and Albert, a new social work intern, had primary responsibility for the case.

Answer 1

Albert was concerned that being in the country illegally could keep Carlos from qualifying for CVC funds. He had already informed Carlos that there were funds available to help pay his medical bills. He was concerned about not being able to follow through. Additionally, he was concerned that he may be obligated by agency policy or law to report Carlos to the authorities. His concern, then, was that Carlos might be deported and that might extend to his family as well. Finally, Albert was concerned that his ability to refer Carlos and the family for assistance would be compromised if they were in the country illegally.