[영문]This article demonstrates why research on immigrant language barriersshould account for local variations in the way these barriers are experiencedby different immigrant groups. It makes the argument that variations inlanguage barriers experienced by immigrant groups are often reflective ofdifferences in the local migration histories and socio-economic status ofthese groups. These themes are illustrated by discussing the findings ofa comparative survey of welfare service barriers experienced by Haitianand Hispanic welfare clients in Miami-Dade county. Secondary data onSouth Florida migration patterns is also used to explain disparities in thebilingual fluency of welfare caseworkers, which had a significant impacton the service barriers experienced by both groups.