Immigration Evaluations
1. Hardship Evaluations (I-601/I-601A Waivers)
Hardship evaluations are conducted when an immigrant seeks a waiver for inadmissibility, typically in cases of unlawful presence, criminal history, or other issues. These evaluations assess how the deportation or separation of the immigrant would cause "extreme hardship" to a qualifying family member, such as a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child. Psychologists evaluate the emotional, psychological, financial, and medical consequences that deportation or removal would impose on the family, considering factors like mental health, family dynamics, cultural ties, and support systems.
2. Asylum Evaluations
Asylum seekers must prove they have experienced or fear persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Psychologists conduct asylum evaluations to assess the psychological effects of past trauma (e.g., torture, abuse, or threats) and the potential mental health risks if the individual were to return to their home country. These evaluations often involve diagnosing conditions like PTSD, depression, or anxiety that have resulted from persecution.
3. U Visa and T Visa Evaluations
- U Visa Evaluations: These are conducted for victims of certain crimes (e.g., domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault) who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement in prosecuting the crime. Psychologists assess the mental and emotional impact of the crime on the victim, documenting trauma and its effects on their overall functioning.
- T Visa Evaluations: T visas are available to individuals who have been victims of human trafficking. Similar to U visa evaluations, psychologists assess the psychological and emotional damage caused by the trafficking experience, often identifying complex trauma and other related mental health conditions.
4. VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) Evaluations
Under the Violence Against Women Act, immigrants who have been abused by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child may apply for legal status. Psychologists perform evaluations to document the mental and emotional effects of domestic violence or abuse. These assessments often highlight trauma symptoms, depression, anxiety, and the psychological impact of controlling and abusive behavior.
5. Cancellation of Removal Evaluations
Cancellation of removal is a form of relief that allows certain individuals who are in removal (deportation) proceedings to remain in the U.S. Psychologists in these cases assess how deportation would impact the individual and their family members. This includes examining mental health issues, family dynamics, and potential hardships to the immigrant or their U.S. citizen relatives if they were deported.
6. N648 Evaluations (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions)
N648 evaluations are used in the naturalization process when an immigrant seeks an exception from the English and civics testing requirements due to a physical, developmental, or mental impairment. Psychologists assess the individual's cognitive or emotional impairments and how these impairments prevent them from fulfilling the language and civics requirements of U.S. citizenship. Conditions like dementia, intellectual disability, severe mental illness, or developmental disorders are often evaluated.