Legal counsel typically requests a psychological evaluation for immigration to provide the court with an independent, clinical perspective on an individual’s mental and emotional health. These assessments help document psychological symptoms or emotional hardship in specific categories of immigration relief.
At Immigration Psychology, we conduct objective, evidence-based assessments tailored to the specific legal and psychological questions involved in immigration cases.
Reason for an Immigration Psychological Evaluation
One thing to keep in mind when undergoing an immigration proceeding is that there are different types of psychological evaluations, depending on what needs to be documented. Psychological evaluations for immigration can include:
- Psychological evaluations for waivers of inadmissibility when deportation would cause a qualifying relative extreme hardship
- Evaluations for survivors of abuse under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Immigration evaluations for individuals seeking asylum who fear persecution or torture in their country of origin.
- Psychological evaluations for victims of human trafficking (T) or certain crimes (U) who have suffered mental or emotional harm, and are applying for a U-Visa or T-Visa.
- Evaluations to demonstrate the hardship of deportation for individuals with long-term residence in the U.S.
- Assessment to determine if a person has the competence to participate in immigration proceedings. Matter of MAM.
Knowing this sets the expectation that all immigration psychological services are customized to the individual’s immigration case and psychological profile, and that the tests and questions asked will vary greatly. However, sound methodology and empirical tests are used for every psychological evaluation for immigration cases.
Immigration Psychological Evaluation Process
The immigration psychological evaluation process is not a test of truthfulness or worthiness. Instead, it is a structured clinical and testing process conducted by a licensed psychologist trained in immigration evaluations.
Expect that the process could involve:
- Referral or Scheduling: Starts with a referral from an immigration attorney or a self-scheduled appointment.
- Clinical Interview: A structured interview is conducted to obtain information about the client’s background, experiences, trauma history, current symptoms, and emotional functioning.
- Psychological Testing: Depending on the case, standardized psychological measures may be administered to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other clinical conditions.
- Collateral Review: Relevant documents are reviewed to assess consistency.
- Report Writing: The psychologist writes a comprehensive forensic report.
The evaluation process ensures that the resulting immigration psychological assessment is independent, clinically grounded, and legally relevant.
Questions Asked During the Interview
The clinical interview forms the foundation of the immigration psychological evaluation.
Expect to discuss the following:
- Biographical information
- Mental health history
- Trauma exposure (experiences of abuse, violence, persecution, or trafficking)
- Symptoms and functioning (e.g., anxiety, depression, etc.)
- Family relationships, especially when being evaluated for hardship on U.S. citizen children or spouses
- Fears or risks of returning to one’s country of origin (in asylum or withholding cases).
Questions are asked in a sensitive and trauma-informed manner. The goal is to understand, not judge, and to document psychological findings thoroughly.
Psychological Tests During an Evaluation
Standardized tests can play a critical role in the evaluation. These can include the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), to name a few.
These instruments help identify symptom severity, psychological diagnoses, and cognitive capacity, which may be relevant in cases involving trauma, hardship, or mental competency. The psychologist selects tests based on the referral question and clinical judgment.
Relevant Documents During a Psychological Evaluation
Documentation is an essential component of the evaluation process. Bringing relevant materials can help the immigration psychologist develop a complete clinical picture.
What to bring to your immigration psychological evaluation can include:
- Medical and mental health records
- Court documents or police reports
- Affidavits or declarations
- School records (for child hardship evaluations)
- Immigration documents and notices
- Medications list
These documents are not required in every case, but when available, they can help the evaluation’s credibility and depth.
Consult Us About Immigration Evaluations Before Getting Started
Understanding what happens during an immigration psychological evaluation is key to preparing effectively. These assessments are not therapy sessions or advocacy tools; they are objective, independent examinations designed to clarify the psychological dimensions of one’s case.
Whether you’re seeking asylum, filing under VAWA, applying for a hardship waiver, or pursuing other immigration relief, a qualified immigration psychologist will approach your evaluation with clinical professionalism, trauma-informed care, and an evidence-based methodology.