Immigration Evaluations

“It’s dangerous to go alone. Take this!”

- The Legend of Zelda (1986)

I am proud to offer culturally-mindful, trauma-informed immigration psychological evaluations in an effort to serve our immigrant communities.

Working with immigrants has been a passion of mine since working at a youth crisis shelter in Orange County, where approximately half of the youth either came from immigrant families or were immigrants themselves. Having so many loved ones who are immigrants is another reason I am so energized by this work.

Please see below for the types of cases I serve.

Why get a psychological evaluation?

While approximately 30-35% of asylum cases are approved, nearly 90% of approved asylum cases include a psychological evaluation.

For other types of cases, a psychological evaluation could mean the difference between staying in the U.S. or getting deported. This is why these evaluations, while not always explicitly required, can be essential for a successful case.

Extreme Hardship Waivers

Extreme Hardship Waivers are given to immigrants who have remained in the United States without permission. The application is submitted by a family member that is a legal U.S. Citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States that would experience extreme hardship if they were separated from or forced to relocate with the non-citizen immigrant. 

U-Visas/T-Visas

A U-Visa is a non-immigrant visa given to victims of a crime (and their immediate family members) while in the United States. The T-Visa is specifically for victims of human trafficking crimes. The undocumented individual is also willing to work together with law enforcement and the government with the investigation process of the criminal activity that caused them physical or mental suffering. U.S. authorities protect the victim during this process.

VAWA Evaluation

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides non-citizen immigrants, regardless of gender, with a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident spouse, children, or parent to file a petition to remain in the United States without the abuser’s knowledge. The non-citizen immigrant must provide evidence that proves the suffering of the violence and domestic abuse. 

Asylum Evaluation

Asylum is a process that must be completed with your lawyer within one year of arriving to the U.S. if you seek protection for yourself (including your spouse and children) due to suffering or thinking you might suffer persecution in your country of origin. The types of persecution suffered could be related to race, religion, nationality, being a member of a social group, and/or due to having a certain political opinion.

Need more information? See if these answer any of your questions.

  • My fee for evaluations is $900. This includes two 90-minute interviews with me, report writing and editing, and coordination with your attorney.

    Additional interviewees are $100 each, up to a maximum of $500. A rush fee of $200 is added if you require a final report within one week.

    I also offer 3 and 6 month financing plans at no additional cost. This splits the cost up into either $300 or $150 a month.

    Please note that a $150 deposit is due prior to the first interview for all clients, regardless of payment plan.

    For asylum cases that require testimony, I will charge an additional $160/hour for standby time, which can be prorated into 15 minute segments.

  • I aim to get reports done within 1.5-2 weeks. However, this timeline is contingent upon the client’s availability for interviews and the attorney’s responsiveness to questions. For evaluations that need to be done within a week, there is a $200 rush fee.

  • No, we can conduct the interview(s) online provided you reside within the state of California. Unfortunately, I cannot complete evaluations for folks out of state at this time.

  • Aunque hablo español, mi español no esta al nivel que quiero. Puedo tener una conversación contigo, pero uso interpretes para mi trabajo de evaluación de inmigración. Sin embargo, espero poder brindar servicios completos en español muy pronto.

  • Although I am conversational in some non-English languages (French, Spanish, and Italian), the act of conducting these evaluations is a sensitive one and my language skills are not up to par at this time. As such, I require an interpreter for any non-English interviews.

  • Unfortunately, no. Due to the sensitive nature of these evaluations, it is best for interpretation to be conducted by a professional interpreter.

  • At this time, I generally only provide pro bono services through the Physicians for Human Rights network. However, I occasionally have space for a pro bono or discounted evaluation, so please reach out to me about this if this is something you require.

    When you are able to pay the regular rate, you are ensuring that those who need reduced rate services have access to those appointments.