What are Immigration Assessments?

If you are seeking to stay in the United States, the first step to take is securing a good immigration lawyer; and completing an immigration assessment adds strength to your case. This is a psychological assessment provided by a licensed therapist or counselor, but it goes much deeper than that. We explore family, current living conditions, past trauma, mental health conditions, medical needs, diagnoses if applicable, clinical recommendations, as well as the potential for future harm if deported.

These assessments add significant evidence to your case, but they are NOT a guarantee regarding the court determination. Your lawyer can instruct you on whether an evaluation would potentially aide in your case.

These services are considered separate from any counseling due to the potential for a conflict of interest. My role is to provide you an objective assessment that will be taken seriously by the courts for your case. If I believe you may benefit from counseling, I will give you referrals. All immigration assessment sessions are confidential.

What type of immigration cases do you accept?

Extreme Hardship Cases
Spousal Abuse (VAWA) Cases
Asylum Cases
U Visa Cases

If you are seeking a telehealth (online) appointment, I am available to work with individuals who reside in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Arizona. Unfortunately, due to licensing restrictions, I will not be able to accept cases from other states.

How does this work?

First you contact our administrative office and tell them you need to schedule a phone consult for an immigration assessment. The admin team will schedule a 20 minute phone consult during which time I will ask you about the type of case you have and determine whether we believe I am the right fit to help you. (Please make sure you have an interpreter available for this call if needed).

If it feels like a good fit and within my scope, I will schedule our first appointment and email you the intake paperwork and questionnaires to provide background information for the report. There may be many questions, but please complete the forms as thoroughly as possible as this helps me to be thorough and accurate in your report.

For your appointment, we can meet at my office in Eagan, MN or online in the comfort of your own home. You only need to have internet access for us to be able to meet online—a computer, tablet, or mobile device will work. I can also engage in three way online communication if connecting with an interpreter who is not present at your location.

You should expect to have two clinical interview sessions of an hour each with me. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, I may request to speak with family members and your attorney as well to ensure that I have all the necessary details to write you a strong report.

How much does this cost?

I charge $950 for immigration assessments which must be paid prior to the first appointment or we will have to reschedule. This covers not only the time spent in our interview(s), but the time spent writing, editing, consulting attorneys, speaking with family members if necessary, and consulting with other counseling professionals, etc. I strive to deliver a comprehensive, accurate, and professional assessment.

Can I use my insurance?

No. While I am a licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, these assessments are not considered a part of treatment and they are much more extensive than a diagnostic assessment for counseling services. I will not be functioning as a counselor to you, but rather providing my professional opinion and a written report which is not considered by insurance to be medically necessary.

What if I want counseling services from you?

To avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest, I will not be your counselor while your case is open. This way the judge will see me as an objective assessor and your report will be considered more meaningful in your determination. I am happy to give you referrals to other great counselors I know and trust!

What if I don’t speak English?

You must provide your own translator for our appointments. I ask that the translation be provided by an adult rather than any children. Keep in mind that I may have to ask you some hard questions that you may not feel comfortable answering in front of certain family members.

How long does it take for my assessment to be completed?

I complete reports within 10 business days of completing our interview process. If you need to receive your report faster than that, I can expedite it for an additional $200 fee.