AVA CÁZARES · MS · LMFT
Ava Cázares, M.S., LMFT
Psychological immigration evaluation in California
Immigration
Evaluation
What is a psychological immigration evaluation?
An immigration evaluation is a detailed, comprehensive assessment provided by a licensed mental health professional to assess an individual's mental well-being as it pertains to their immigration case.
Each immigration case is unique and may involve a variety of issues, including potential deportation, request for specific visas (like asylum, U-Visa, T-Visa, or VAWA) and/or hardship waivers.
First, the mental health professional meets with the individual to conduct a clinical interview, consisting of standardized assessments and discussion of the individual's trauma history, hardships, and other psychological factors relevant to their immigration status.
Based on this information, the mental health professional then provides a written report to your immigration lawyer to be presented before the immigration authorities.
The Process
STEP 1
Request an Evaluation
Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to request an evaluation from me.
STEP 2
FREE 15-minute Phone Consultation
After requesting an evaluation, I will give you a call to briefly discuss your eligibility for an evaluation, provide an overview of the process, obtain your attorney's contact information, and answer any questions you may have.
STEP 3
Clinical Interview & Consultation
Then, we will schedule a 2-4 hour clinical interview (virtual). During this interview, I will use validated clinical tools to assess your symptoms, gain detailed insights into your experiences, and come to an understanding of how your immigration journey has affected your mental health, all in a safe and trauma-informed space.
During this step, I will also consult with your attorney for additional insight and legal perspective.
STEP 4
Final Report Delivery
Following the clinical interview, I will write the full report to deliver to your attorney within 1-2 weeks.
Why are psychological immigration evaluations so important?
Immigration evaluations provide objective evidence to support the claims being made in an immigration case and can often be the sole deciding factor that determines if an individual or family can remain in the United States.
Behind My Work Lies Something Deeply Personal
As a Mexican-American therapist, my connection to immigration work is both professional and personal. I grew up with an understanding that immigration stories live quietly within our parents and grandparents, not to be spoken about openly, but ever-present.
Because the field of psychotherapy has historically been difficult for immigrants to access, whether because of language barriers, financial limitations, cultural misunderstandings, or a long-standing cultural stigma around mental health, many immigrants were simply never given a space to share how immigration has impacted them.
For this reason, I find that something profound happens during immigration evaluations. Phrases I often hear from my clients include "I have never told anyone this before" and "no one has ever asked me this." Many clients become emotional, vulnerable, and feel that the emotional safety of the space gives them permission to feel what has been suppressed or forcibly forgotten. I have the privilege of witnessing fragments of memory become a complete narrative.
Psychological immigration evaluations do more than document facts for a legal process. They provide context for a real, human story.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question that I haven't answered here? Send me an email at avamcazares@gmail.com.
Inquiry Form
Request An Evaluation
Please fill out the form below to get started. I will reach out to you via email in 1-2 business days to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.