Immigration Evaluations: Humanizing Your Journey

Navigating the immigration process can feel long and emotionally exhausting; especially when it is shaped by the painful experiences that have led someone to leave their home. An immigration evaluation is a tool designed to support you and help your story be fully understood.

 What is an Immigration Evaluation?

An immigration evaluation is a professional clinical assessment completed by a licensed mental health professional and is often recommended by your immigration attorney. The evaluation is submitted as supporting evidence in your immigration case to help immigration officials understand you beyond forms and documents and see you as a whole person. It focuses on how immigration related experiences, stressors, and trauma may be affecting your mental health and overall well-being.

Immigration Evaluations are often used for cases involving:

·      Hardship waivers (showing extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident family member)

·      Asylum or refugee cases (documenting trauma, PTSD, persecution)

·      Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) cases that include abuse of a spouse or family member.

·      U visas / T visas (victims of crime or trafficking)

·      Cancellation of removal (deportation defense)

 What to expect

An immigration evaluation is a personal and vulnerable experience, which is why compassion and care are vital to the process. The process begins by completing questionnaires or assessments that help identify emotional symptoms, stress, or possible mental health concerns. You and the therapist then meet for a clinical interview to further assess symptoms and the impact immigration-related stress has had on your life. The therapist will then perform a review of your personal history and any trauma connected to your immigration journey. After the evaluation, the therapist will prepare a detailed written report. This report connects the clinical findings to your legal case and is provided to your attorney to submit as supporting evidence.

 Why Immigration Evaluations Matter

Immigration evaluations can provide clinical and objective documentation that often have meaningful impact on a case. Immigration evaluations help humanize your experience and give immigration officials a deeper understanding of your hardship, emotional pain, trauma, and potential safety concerns. While an immigration evaluation cannot guarantee a specific outcome, it can be a powerful part of the legal process addressing your case.