psychological-evaluacion-for-immigration-purposes

Psychological evaluation for USCIS

Immigration to the United States often requires psychological evaluations. The USCIS needs them for certain visas, including U & R Visa, Vawa and asylum. The purpose is to identify mental disorders that may impact someone’s ability to adjust to life in America or meet visa requirements.

Evaluations check for common issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and personality disorders.

Why You Need a Psychological Evaluation for Immigration in Miami

If you go through immigration proceedings, your lawyer may suggest a “psychological evaluation.” This assessment supports your case.

You likely haven’t seen a psychologist before. The evaluation doesn’t assess “craziness.” Instead, it provides context about you for reviewers. It covers what you’ve overcome and more background before they see your case.

Quick Bilingual Immigration Psychological Evaluations in Miami (Spanish / English)

We can complete the Deportation Waiver and VAWA Psychological Evaluations within 48 hours of meeting you. We conduct evaluations in-person or remotely via video chat if conditions allow. We also include the full report.

Our comprehensive evaluations cover:

  • Mental Health Screening
  • Anxiety and Depression Inventories
  • PTSD Inventory
  • Mini-Mental Status Exam
  • MMPI-RF
  • TONI-4 (Intelligence)
  • RBANS (Cognitive Functioning)
  • Health Anxiety Inventory
  • Domestic Violence and Abuse Questionnaires
  • Cognitive Assessments

We provide all questionnaires and inventories in both English and Spanish.

Dr. Gustavo Benejam, Psy.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Florida. He has completed a large number of Immigration Evaluations. Additionally, he is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Dr. Benejam has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and has lived in Venezuela and Mexico. Dr. Benejam has physical offices in Boca Raton and Miami, Florida.

He directly involves himself in all the steps of the process and answers all calls himself.

citizenship

Quick Bilingual Immigration Psychological Evaluations in Miami (Spanish / English)

We can complete the Deportation Waiver and VAWA Psychological Evaluations within 48 hours of meeting you. We conduct evaluations in-person or remotely via video chat if conditions allow. We also include the full report.

Our comprehensive evaluations cover:

  • Mental Health Screening
  • Anxiety and Depression Inventories
  • PTSD Inventory
  • Mini-Mental Status Exam
  • MMPI-RF
  • TONI-4 (Intelligence)
  • RBANS (Cognitive Functioning)
  • Health Anxiety Inventory
  • Domestic Violence and Abuse Questionnaires
  • Cognitive Assessments

We provide all questionnaires and inventories in both English and Spanish.

Dr. Gustavo Benejam, Psy.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Florida. He has completed a large number of Immigration Evaluations. Additionally, he is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Dr. Benejam has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and has lived in Venezuela and Mexico. Dr. Benejam has physical offices in Boca Raton and Miami, Florida.

He directly involves himself in all the steps of the process and answers all calls himself.

Psychological Evaluations for
VAWA Immigration Cases

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) enables victims of domestic violence to continue lawful immigration.

Abuse includes verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual acts. The abuser doesn’t need to be a US citizen or resident.

VAWA protects immigrant abuse victims. They no longer undergo prolonged severe abuse to get lawful status.

A VAWA psychological assessment examines the victim’s mental and emotional state. It also measures trauma from spousal or domestic violence.

Each case differs. An evaluation covers varied categories like verbal abuse, coercion, manipulation, intimidation, physical violence, and sexual abuse.

Using proper tests and questionnaires, we assess the abuse’s impact. This includes effects on emotional/mental state, functioning, and health. We also gauge potential long-term impacts of sustained abuse.

Often, such abuse leads to major mental illnesses like depression, panic disorder, anxiety, and PTSD.

This applies to I-360 (VAWA) and other abusive situations. Our VAWA evaluation examines how a US citizen or resident has abused an immigrant. It aids the immigration process.

Dr. Benejam is a top VAWA therapist. He can help manage and support your immigration case.

Asylum Case Psychological Evaluations

Evaluations and assessments help people who’ve faced prosecution and mistreatment abroad. Sometimes these individuals fall into a “Particular Social Group” that foreign governments see as dangerous. This includes diverse sexual orientations, political groups, dissidents, families, and ex-military.

The evaluation explores how persecution affects someone’s mental and emotional state. It also considers their future if persecution continues.

Asylum requires a valid fear of persecution in their home country. The government must be unable or unwilling to protect them from the persecutor.

asylum application
visa-u

Psychological Evaluations for U-Visa & T-Visa

U and T visas assist crime victims who’ve undergone severe physical or psychological abuse. The visa requires an evaluation of the victim’s mental health. The victim must’ve also helped law enforcement investigate or prosecute the crime.

An exam for these visas may review medical and psychological history. It assesses the crime’s psychological impact on the individual and family. The evaluation can include therapy to address the effects.

Dr. Benejam has deep expertise with U and T visa mental exams. He understands the legal issues immigration courts will examine.

Hardship Waiver Evaluations with Form I-601

A U.S. citizen or permanent resident must prove extreme hardship to get an immigration waiver for a relative. Their deportation or removal causes this hardship.

Qualifying relatives include spouses, children, parents, and same-sex partners under the Defense of Marriage Act.

U.S. law does not clearly define “Extreme hardship.” As part of this, “Extreme Hardship” requires a degree of hardship beyond that typically associated with deportation.

The USCIS adjudicator will consider certain factors on a case-by-case basis. This includes assessing the individual situation of each applicant. Even if none of the hardships is “extreme” alone, their combined effect may be enough.

When trying to prove “Extreme Hardship” for an American Citizen or Resident, you can consider several factors. These include: 

  • Family separation
  • Financial and medical problems
  • Mental health
  • Safety in a foreign country
  • Difficulty adapting
  • Lack of education and medical resources

Our evaluation involves a detailed questionnaire about history and current events. We administer several psychological tests too. This demonstrates any difficulties a foreign applicant may have remaining in or relocating to America.

You can use it for waivers of deportation and inadmissibility, such as Form I-601 and I-601(a). You can use these waivers for certain offenses, fraud, and deceptions. Additionally, a fiancée visa can explain why the couple has not been able to meet in the last two years.

Lastly, battered spouses and self-petitioners use the VAWA Violence Against Women Act.

Hardship Waivers
citizenship

Citizenship Examination Waiver (Form N-648)

The naturalization process requires a test showing English proficiency and civic knowledge.

USCIS exempts some people in certain cases for medical or mental health reasons using Form N-648.

Exemptions need a 12-month physical or mental impairment. But illegal drug abuse does not qualify.

Our evaluation determines impairments that hinder concentration, memory, learning ability attentional processes

Once done, by having a qualified professional (e.g. medical doctor, or psychologist) we complete Form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions) recommending a citizenship test exemption. These impairments cannot be because to illegal abuse of drugs.

citizenship

Quick Bilingual Immigration Psychological Evaluations
in Miami (Spanish / English)

We can complete the Deportation Waiver and VAWA Psychological Evaluations within 48 hours of meeting you. We conduct evaluations in-person or remotely via video chat if conditions allow. We also include the full report.

Our comprehensive evaluations cover:

  • Mental Health Screening
  • Anxiety and Depression Inventories
  • PTSD Inventory
  • Mini-Mental Status Exam
  • MMPI-RF
  • TONI-4 (Intelligence)
  • RBANS (Cognitive Functioning)
  • Health Anxiety Inventory
  • Domestic Violence and Abuse Questionnaires
  • Cognitive Assessments

We provide all questionnaires and inventories in both English and Spanish.

Dr. Gustavo Benejam, Psy.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Florida. He has completed a large number of Immigration Evaluations. Additionally, he is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Dr. Benejam has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and has lived in Venezuela and Mexico. Dr. Benejam has physical offices in Boca Raton and Miami, Florida.

He directly involves himself in all the steps of the process and answers all calls himself.

Psychological Evaluations for
VAWA Immigration Cases

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) enables victims of domestic violence to continue lawful immigration.

Abuse includes verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual acts. The abuser doesn’t need to be a US citizen or resident.

VAWA protects immigrant abuse victims. They no longer undergo prolonged severe abuse to get lawful status.

A VAWA psychological assessment examines the victim’s mental and emotional state. It also measures trauma from spousal or domestic violence.

Each case differs. An evaluation covers varied categories like verbal abuse, coercion, manipulation, intimidation, physical violence, and sexual abuse.

Using proper tests and questionnaires, we assess the abuse’s impact. This includes effects on emotional/mental state, functioning, and health. We also gauge potential long-term impacts of sustained abuse.

Often, such abuse leads to major mental illnesses like depression, panic disorder, anxiety, and PTSD.

This applies to I-360 (VAWA) and other abusive situations. Our VAWA evaluation examines how a US citizen or resident has abused an immigrant. It aids the immigration process.

Dr. Benejam is a top VAWA therapist. He can help manage and support your immigration case.

asylum application

Asylum Case Psychological Evaluations

Evaluations and assessments help people who’ve faced prosecution and mistreatment abroad. Sometimes these individuals fall into a “Particular Social Group” that foreign governments see as dangerous. This includes diverse sexual orientations, political groups, dissidents, families, and ex-military.

The evaluation explores how persecution affects someone’s mental and emotional state. It also considers their future if persecution continues.

Asylum requires a valid fear of persecution in their home country. The government must be unable or unwilling to protect them from the persecutor.

visa-u

Psychological Evaluations for U-Visa & T-Visa

U and T visas assist crime victims who’ve undergone severe physical or psychological abuse. The visa requires an evaluation of the victim’s mental health. The victim must’ve also helped law enforcement investigate or prosecute the crime.

An exam for these visas may review medical and psychological history. It assesses the crime’s psychological impact on the individual and family. The evaluation can include therapy to address the effects.

Dr. Benejam has deep expertise with U and T visa mental exams. He understands the legal issues immigration courts will examine.

Hardship Waivers

Hardship Waiver Evaluations with Form I-601

A U.S. citizen or permanent resident must prove extreme hardship to get an immigration waiver for a relative. Their deportation or removal causes this hardship.

Qualifying relatives include spouses, children, parents, and same-sex partners under the Defense of Marriage Act.

U.S. law does not clearly define “Extreme hardship.”

As part of this, “Extreme Hardship” requires a degree of hardship beyond that typically associated with deportation.

The USCIS adjudicator will consider certain factors on a case-by-case basis. This includes assessing the individual situation of each applicant. Even if none of the hardships is “extreme” alone, their combined effect may be enough.

When trying to prove “Extreme Hardship” for an American Citizen or Resident, you can consider several factors. These include: 

  • Family separation
  • Financial and medical problems
  • Mental health
  • Safety in a foreign country
  • Difficulty adapting
  • Lack of education and medical resources

Our evaluation involves a detailed questionnaire about history and current events. We administer several psychological tests too. This demonstrates any difficulties a foreign applicant may have remaining in or relocating to America.

You can use it for waivers of deportation and inadmissibility, such as Form I-601 and I-601(a). You can use these waivers for certain offenses, fraud, and deceptions. Additionally, a fiancée visa can explain why the couple has not been able to meet in the last two years. 

Lastly, battered spouses and self-petitioners use the VAWA Violence Against Women Act.

citizenship

Citizenship Examination Waiver (Form N-648)

The naturalization process requires a test showing English proficiency and civic knowledge.

USCIS exempts some people in certain cases for medical or mental health reasons using Form N-648.

Exemptions need a 12-month physical or mental impairment. But illegal drug abuse does not qualify.

Our evaluation determines impairments that hinder concentration, memory, learning ability attentional processes

Once done, by having a qualified professional (e.g. medical doctor, or psychologist) we complete Form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions) recommending a citizenship test exemption. These impairments cannot be because of illegal abuse of drugs.

A study from 2000-2004 found that 89% of asylum cases were approved when the applicant included a psychological or medical evaluation.

Only 37% were approved without an evaluation.

We know that these evaluations add a lot of evidence to your case!

As you think about the benefits of a Psychological Immigration Evaluation you might have some questions…

Immigration Psychological Evaluation Process

  • Call to discuss your case and set up the initial appointment.
  • At the initial appointment, we collect all relevant information and history for your case and begin administering psychological instruments.
  • If necessary, we schedule additional appointments to review data and results.
  • We send the report to you for your review and approval.
  • Once you approve the report, we send it to your attorney.
  • Time to complete the process: We work quickly. We will finish with psychological appointments and administration soon. The report will usually be ready by the following week.

If you need a psychological evaluation for immigration in Florida, Dr. Benejam is a great choice. He has extensive experience in this area. Working with your immigration lawyer, he can provide the best results. Make an appointment with him today.

As part of this process, getting the best possible evaluation that supports your case is critical. We are here to work with you and ready to answer any questions while determining best next steps.

I answer ALL my calls directly and I am fully bilingual (Spanish & English). We have convenient locations in Miami and Boca Raton. In certain cases, we can do remote evaluations with simple technology, such as video calls.

Your Immigration Status Is Very Important To You And To Your Family, And Your Future!

Taking the right steps can make a big difference in your life. Resolving your immigration status issues will give you peace of mind. You can then focus all your energy on the future and the well-being of your family.