Understanding immigration evaluations
An immigration psychological evaluation is an independent clinical assessment of how a person’s experiences—such as persecution, violence, trafficking or the threat of family separation—have affected their mental health. Immigration attorneys often request one to document conditions like PTSD, depression or anxiety, or the psychological impact a decision would have on a family member, in a form that immigration judges and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can review.
At Calmora, immigration evaluations are led by Dr. Julian Ortiz, PhD, a clinical psychologist who conducts evaluations in English and Spanish. Each assessment is trauma-informed: you set the pace, you can take breaks, and you never have to share more than you are ready to. The evaluation is also objective—our role is to describe what we find honestly and carefully rather than to advocate—which is what gives a well-written report its credibility.
Cases where an evaluation may help
Attorneys and individuals request psychological evaluations for cases such as:
- Asylum and withholding of removal
- U visas for survivors of crimes
- T visas for trafficking survivors
- VAWA self-petitions for survivors of family abuse
- Extreme hardship waivers (such as I-601 and I-601A) for a U.S. citizen or resident relative
- Cancellation of removal hardship cases
- Special Immigrant Juvenile cases
- Documenting PTSD, depression or anxiety related to past trauma
- Assessing how separation would affect children or other family members
- Updated evaluations when a case has been pending for some time
- Evaluations conducted fully in Spanish, without an interpreter
- Telehealth evaluations for clients located in New York or New Jersey
What happens during an immigration evaluation?
A respectful, private process, with each step explained before it begins.
We coordinate with your attorney to understand the legal questions in your case, then plan the evaluation around your comfort. It typically includes:
- One or more confidential clinical interviews
- Standardized questionnaires for trauma, depression and anxiety
- Interviews with family members, if relevant
- Review of declarations and documents from your attorney
- Review of medical or counseling records, with your consent
- An objective written report for your attorney
- Time to ask questions and talk about next steps
Interviews usually take place over one or two sessions. The report is typically completed within a few weeks and sent to your attorney, and we plan timing around filing deadlines when possible.
Care for you throughout
What to Know Before and After Your Evaluation
Talking about painful experiences is hard, and it is normal to feel tired or unsettled afterwards. We check in with you during and after each interview, and we can suggest ways to look after yourself or connect you with therapy if you would like ongoing support. Calmora is not a crisis service; if you are ever in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.
A psychological evaluation is one piece of evidence. Decisions are made by USCIS or the immigration court, and we cannot predict or promise an outcome. What we can offer is a careful, honest and professionally written report, shared only with your consent—usually with your attorney.