Psychological evaluations for immigration cases

For three decades, Priska Imberti, LCSW-R, has evaluated immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of domestic violence, in English and in Spanish. Her evaluations document the emotional and psychological impact of what a person has lived through, in a written report that becomes part of the evidence in their case.

Call (347) 642-4086 info@crecerinc.com
A family meeting with a therapist to prepare an immigration evaluation

What is an immigration evaluation?

It is a clinical evaluation carried out by a licensed mental health professional, in this case a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R). Through one or more confidential interviews, the evaluator listens to the person’s history and documents their emotional state and the psycho-social impact of experiences such as abuse, persecution, violence, or family separation.

The result is a written report that the person’s attorney can submit as part of the immigration case. When a case requires it, the evaluator can also testify as an expert witness before a U.S. Immigration Court.

Cases we evaluate

  • VAWA. Self-petitions under the Violence Against Women Act, for people abused by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent, or by a U.S. citizen adult son or daughter.
  • Asylum. Cases of people who fled persecution or fear returning to their country of origin.
  • U visa. Petitions for victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse.
  • Expert witness testimony. Testimony before U.S. Immigration Courts about the evaluation and its findings.

Crecer also conducts family and individual evaluations for other immigration-related processes. Call us to ask whether we can help with your case.

Why a bilingual evaluator matters

Talking about painful experiences is hard. Doing it through an interpreter can make it harder, and important details can get lost along the way. Priska Imberti conducts evaluations directly in Spanish or in English, so each person can tell their story in the language they feel most comfortable with.

Her work is guided by a strength-based, culturally sensitive approach, and by specialized training in refugee trauma (Harvard Global Mental Health Program on Refugee Trauma) and in services for survivors of human trafficking (National Association of Forensic Counselors).

How the process works

  1. First contact. You or your attorney call or write to us to explain the case and schedule the evaluation.
  2. Evaluation. One or more confidential interviews, in Spanish or in English.
  3. Written report. Priska Imberti prepares a clinical report documenting her findings, for use in the immigration case.
  4. Testimony, if needed. When the case requires it, she can testify as an expert witness in Immigration Court.

Availability, timelines, and fees depend on each case. Call us to talk about yours.

Crecer, Inc. provides mental health evaluations, not legal advice. For questions about your immigration case, please consult an immigration attorney.

Call (347) 642-4086