Immigration is a stressful process, and we’re here to help you. Many different types of immigration counseling are available for individuals or families in Texas who need our expertise on the matter.
We collaborate with your attorney to ensure that we understand the specifics of your case and any relevant details which can improve your chances for asylum in America. The immigration psychological evaluation is a professional assessment of the mental health and capability of those seeking to immigrate to America. It’s used by courts as they decide whether or not someone should remain in our country, with appropriate accommodations made depending on what was found during testing procedures.
Why Do I Need an Immigration Evaluation?
The benefits of an immigration evaluation are huge. If you want to increase your chances for asylum in the U.S., don’t just hope it will work out–seek a psychiatric evaluation. In general, about 30-35% cases are approved, however cases with evaluations have nearly a 90% success rate. Perhaps the best way is to have them done and get on track as soon as possible.
What Are The Reasons I Would Need An Immigration Evaluation?
Extreme and Exceptional Hardship
Applying for the hardship waiver can help you if separation from a relative of yours (who lives in America) would cause harm. For instance, suppose your significant other is forced to relocate. However, they are your caretaker, and life will be unbearable without them? In this case, we also encourage applicants who have been impacted by such circumstances.
The immigration evaluation we perform is designed to inform clients about what it would be like for them if their loved ones were not there.
Political Asylum
Suppose you are fleeing your home country because of oppression, deprivation, or persecution based on religious beliefs and political opinions. In that case, this will likely qualify for asylum in the United States. The immigration evaluation can help prove that if it’s been too much psychological damage returning would cause even more harm than staying away from those who unjustly persecute us.
Spousal Abuse, or VAWA (Violence against Women Act)
If you’re an undocumented immigrant who married a U.S. citizen, and your spouse has been abusive towards you in the past – petitioning for legal status separate from them may be right for you. During our evaluation process, we will work hard to prove that this separation was necessary because of mental or physical abuse, which also necessitates it.
U-Visa
Filing for a U-Visa can help you petition to stay in the United States if you were the victim of a crime while here and are now suffering from physical or sexual exploitation. Crimes include domestic violence, kidnapping, etc., with some severe misdemeanors included as well, such as rape.
T-Visa
The T-visa is similar to the U-Visa, but it only applies if you were trafficked into America for human trafficking purposes and would not have come here otherwise. In such cases, our goal will be to document the psychological and emotional effects that this has had on your life.
How do I get started?
We need to set up an appointment with you and a clinician. Next will be the clinical interview. Then, with over two or three sessions, if all goes well, the clinician will diagnose whether depression is causing these issues for the treatment options that may work best.
How do I prepare myself?
You will need to talk with your attorney, who can review the paperwork and documentation you have ready for us. Otherwise, we encourage you to relax while waiting patiently as our team works hard to make this process easy!
What is The Evaluation Like?
An immigration evaluation is a simple conversation between you, your family, and our Sheer Essence You will talk with the professional for several hours in two meetings in person, or virtually.
Some topics we might cover include:
- Past trauma or difficulties
- Any previous mental health diagnoses
- Your current situation
- Your plans for the future
- Your support system in the U.S
Sheer Essence Counseling’s goal is always to provide a place filled with grace so our clients can find hope. We do this by keeping the conversation casual and comfortable, discussing details relevant to your case according to an attorney’s recommendations–these conversations are not tests but opportunities!