Immigration Evaluations

As the daughter of immigrants and a loved one of family members who have been undocumented, immigration evaluations hit close to home for me.

What to know about immigration evaluations

An immigration evaluation is a process in which an individual's mental health and psychological well-being are assessed to determine their suitability for immigration or to address specific immigration-related concerns. It is conducted by a licensed mental health professional specializing in such evaluations.

I have collaborated with local immigration lawyers to complete evaluations for hundreds of individuals and families. Some examples of immigration cases include:

  • The concept of extreme hardship acknowledges that the removal of an individual from a country can have severe consequences for the person being deported and their immediate family members who may be legally residing in that country. The evaluation aims to determine if the hardship faced by the qualifying relative(s) would reach a level considered extreme, surpassing the typical hardships that would be expected in a deportation scenario.

  • The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.

    T nonimmigrant status (T visa) is a temporary immigration benefit that enables certain victims of sex trafficking or labor trafficking to remain in the United States for an initial period of up to 4 years if they have complied with any reasonable request for assistance from law enforcement in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of human trafficking or qualify for an exemption or exception.

  • Noncitizens who have been abused by their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relative have the ability to independently petition for themselves (self-petition) for immigrant classification without the abuser’s knowledge, consent, or participation in the immigration process. This allows victims to seek both safety and independence from their abusers.

  • Every year people come to the United States seeking protection because they have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to:

    Race, Religion, Nationality, Membership in a particular social group, Political opinion

What is the process like?

There are several steps, but no worries! I can walk you through the process. Different evaluators have different steps; here are mine:

  • During our consultation call, I will gain more clarity on what your case is about. I will ask for your lawyer’s information to communicate with them and ensure we are all on the same page.

    During our phone call I will also provide you with any necessary information, including appointment availability, costs, and timelines.

  • The evaluation is scheduled for at least two hours but sometimes takes longer.

    In the first half of the evaluation, I will interview you about your upbringing and overall life story that led you to where you are today. The second half will involve more structured assessments and questionnaires.

    The evaluation will end with parting recommendations and potential referrals.

  • After your interview, I will get to writing. I will communicate with your lawyer as I write the letter that will be included in your immigration packet. This part takes roughly two weeks.

Fees

Evaluation interview + collaboration with your lawyer + evaluation letter: $800