Some immigration lawyers use psychological evaluations regularly with their clients. Others have been slower to identify the strong benefits such evaluations provide. Here are two (of many) reasons immigration lawyers prioritize clinicial evaluations with their clients:
1, The impartial nature of hiring an outside source to provide an independent assessment of the situation. This adds invaluable strength to the case.
2. The diagnostic ability of the therapist to confirm suspected mental health issues substantiates a client’s claims of suffering.
The top three types of cases immigration lawyers use evaluations for:
1. Asylum. A psychosocial evaluation is invaluable in determining the extent of trauma a client experienced in their country of origin, and the possible ongoing nature of the emotional impact on their current functioning.
2. Domestic Abuse (VAWA). A clinical evaluation is critical in assessing the existence and extent of abuse an immigrant experienced during their marriage to a U.S. citizen. The evaluation is crucial in determining the emotional impact such abuse has caused the immigrant.
3. Hardship. An evaluation of family members of an immigrant facing deportation is necessary to show the possible negative impact such a move would have on these U.S. citizens. These evaluations include an assessment of mental health as well as financial, vocational, educational and medical suffering family members may experience if their parent or spouse is forced to leave.
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