Psychological Evaluations for Immigration

---

The government considers a variety of factors when determining whether an individual meets the "extreme hardship" standard pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act. Evaluating the potential impact of the immigrant's deportation from a lawfully-resident parent or spouse is not the only factor the government considers when assessing extreme and exceptional hardship cases. The factors used in determining whether a waiver applicant has established extreme hardship can be overwhelming and evaluations of this nature can get particularly complex. I will work closely with you to ensure that we navigate together this complex process.

Historically, people applying for political asylum have suffered a variety of psychological and/or physical trauma in their country of origin. The nature of these evaluations typically documents mistreatment and abuse the individual suffered i.e., racial, ethnic, religious or political mistreatment, psychological assault, etc. This in-depth evaluation includes any psychological and emotional distress as a result of the persecution in their country. Our trauma focused assessments allow us to evaluate the level and the degree of trauma.

This evaluation seeks to establish the presence of domestic abuse in order to file for legal status (separately from their U.S. citizen spouse). The psychotherapist is tasked with assessing the presence of abuse and the psychological and practical impacts of the abuse. Sometimes the abuse is obvious, but at other times it is more subtle. Documented indicators of abuse are cited as physical, verbal or psychological assault.