Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do psychological evaluations matter?
A key component of a person’s legal immigration case is the psychological evaluation, which many immigrants need and deserve but which few have access to due to financial and cultural barriers. Immigration courts regard comprehensive psychological exams as compelling evidence of a person’s trauma. Immigrants who submit an evaluation as part of their legal case are more than twice as likely to have a positive outcome.
- How long does an evaluation take?
The evaluation can take 2-4 hours, either in person or via telehealth. Additional time is needed for pre-screening, evaluating children, using interpreters, evaluating detainees, and court testimony. The total time for the clinician ranges from 6-10 hours.
- How much do evaluations cost?
IMPACT Immigration is a nonprofit organization. Clients receive a high-quality evaluation regardless of their ability to pay. Client fees range from $100-1,100 per evaluation based on a sliding scale.
- How are immigrants selected to benefit from your services?
Immigrants are referred by attorneys, legal aid agencies, or self‑referred. Referrals are assigned to IMPACT clinicians.
- What organizations do you partner with for this work?
We partner with immigration attorneys and law firms, legal aid organizations, charitable services and community organizations in Oregon and Washington.
- What types of immigration cases benefit from psychological evaluations?
Many types of immigration cases. Examples include:
- Extreme and Exceptional Hardship cases
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) cases
- U Visas (for victims of violent crimes)
- T Visas (victims of human trafficking)
- Asylum claims
- Unaccompanied Minors
- Cancellation of Removal for non‑permanent residents
- N648 evaluations (for citizenship exam with a disability)
- Why subsidize these evaluations?
Immigrants most in need of psychological evaluations are often unable to pay. By subsidizing evaluations, immigrants have access to high quality mental health evaluations resulting in a professional report included in their legal application.
- What is the role of the psychological evaluation in the legal decision-making process?
Evaluations provide objective psychological data: family background, trauma history, medical and psychiatric records, diagnosis, and current functioning. Trauma-informed and culturally appropriate approaches are used to translate clinical findings into relevant information for each immigrant’s legal status application.
- How do you address linguistic and cultural differences?
Evaluations are conducted in the client’s native language either by one of our multilingual team members or with an interpreter. Assessment materials are selected for cultural appropriateness.
- Are clients referred for ongoing mental healthcare services?
Yes; IMPACT refers clients to appropriate ongoing mental health services in the community. In cases where trauma is severe, clients are referred for immediate treatment before participating in court proceedings or before completing the evaluation.
- Why should I give to IMPACT?
Our work transforms and saves lives and keeps families together. Every evaluation increases someone’s chances to remain safe. Donations directly support evaluations for immigrants and refugees.