1- I-601(a) Waiver

Are you a United States Citizen, who would suffer exceptional hardship if a relative (i.e., spouse, child, or parent) without immigration status were to be deported? Would there also be exceptional suffering if you were to follow your relative abroad? You may be able to apply for an I-601(a) waiver to avoid deportation of your loved one or to allow for their immigration to the United States.

I conduct in depth Psychological Evaluations, which are an important part of these waiver applications. These psychological evaluations explore the intricacies of the relationship of the qualifying resident and their relative. Extreme hardships assessed for include: mental health diagnoses, medical issues, impaired work and social functioning, and financial difficulties.

According to 2024 statistics from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the approval rate for 601A waivers has ranged between 70% to 80%.

2- VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)

Are you a woman or man who has been abused by a spouse, parent, or child, who is a United States Citizen? Under the terms of VAWA, you may be able to apply for immigration relief without the abuser’s participation in your application.

Psychological Evaluations are an essential part of these Applications. Often suffering with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, victims of domestic and/or spousal abuse can find a voice through these evaluations. I assess and document the type of abuse suffered, including: physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and financial. The mental state of the victim and the emotional impact of abuse, along with the potential risks of returning to the abusive situation are evaluated and clearly documented.

3- Asylum

Have you been persecuted in your Native Country for political opinion, religion, race, membership in a social group, or nationality? You may be able to apply for Asylum, which allows for an individual to remain in the United States, without fear of deportation to a Native Country where there is fear of persecution or harm.

I conduct in depth Evaluations in these cases, assessing the specific trauma surrounding the individual’s experience. Mental health testing is used to asses for conditions such as: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Depression, and Anxiety Disorder. The emotional and physical risks of returning to a home of victimization is clearly assessed and documented.

4- U-Visa

Have you been the victim of a violent crime in the United States as a non-citizen? Are you willing to assist law enforcement? You may be able to apply for a U-Visa.

The Psychological Evaluation in these cases are also crucial. The focus is on assessing the individual’s emotional state and the mental health consequences resulting from the crime wherein they were victimized. Individuals are evaluated for mental health disorders including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety based illnesses.

5- N-648 Waiver – Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions

Are you or a loved one applying for United States Citizenship but are unable to learn enough Civics Information and or English to pass a Citizenship Examination? This will impede the Naturalization Process and, albeit uncommon, can result in deportation.

As a clinical Psychologist, I am qualified to conduct comprehensive Evaluations to assess for an enduring inability to pass the Citizenship Examination. Such causes assessed include: mental health disorders, Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Mental status testing, Memory Testing, and Psychological Assessments are conducted to evaluate an individual’s ability to pass a Citizenship Examination. Results are well documented and when indicated a detailed Waiver application is completed.