Why an Immigration Evaluation Is Different from a Letter from Your Therapist
Immigration Evaluations vs. Letters from Your Therapist: What You Need to Know
If you're working on your immigration case and receiving therapy at the same time, you might wonder: can't my therapist just write a letter for USCIS? While that question makes sense, it's important to understand that a clinical immigration evaluation is very different from a letter written by your current therapist.
As a bilingual immigration evaluation therapist serving Bakersfield, Fresno, the Central Valley, and all of California through secure virtual sessions, I want to help you make an informed, empowered decision.
What Is an Immigration Mental Health Evaluation?
An immigration evaluation is a comprehensive clinical report completed by a licensed mental health professional who is acting as an independent evaluator. It is often requested by immigration attorneys to support cases like:
Extreme Hardship Waivers (I601, I601A)
VAWA petitions
U Visa and T Visa cases
Asylum petitions
Cancellation of Removal
Unlike a brief letter, these evaluations are in-depth, typically including:
Emotional and psychological distress
Financial stressors and barriers
Medical issues affecting the family
Family and cultural history
Past or current trauma
The anticipated impact of family separation or deportation
The report is written using objective, clinical language and adheres to USCIS standards. It is meant to document hardship clearly and professionally to support your legal case.
Why Your Current Therapist Shouldn’t Write the Report
While your therapist may know you well and want to support your case, writing a USCIS immigration evaluation introduces what's called a dual relationship. This means your therapist is no longer just providing care – they are now also acting as a legal evaluator.
This can raise concerns because:
Your therapist has a therapeutic alliance with you and may appear biased.
Immigration officials could view their report as less credible because of that relationship.
It may place emotional pressure on your therapist or you as the client.
In contrast, a clinical immigration evaluator like myself:
Does not have a prior therapeutic relationship with you
Provides an unbiased, third-party perspective
Uses specialized training to evaluate and document hardship
Maintains clear ethical boundaries for both legal and emotional protection
This distinction helps your report carry more weight in legal proceedings.
How I Can Help
As an experienced immigration evaluation therapist, I help clients across Bakersfield, Fresno, and the Central Valley tell their stories with clarity and dignity. Through a secure virtual process, I:
Conduct thorough interviews and screenings
Review medical, family, and trauma histories
Translate emotional hardship into clear, clinical documentation
Collaborate (with your consent) with attorneys to meet legal standards
My role is not to take sides, but to create a safe space where your experience is honored and professionally reflected in a report that may significantly strengthen your case.
When to Request an Immigration Evaluation
If your immigration attorney has recommended you get an evaluation, or if you're unsure whether a letter from your therapist is enough, it may be time to consult an independent evaluator. Having the right documentation matters.
I offer evaluations in English and Spanish, and professional translation services can also be coordinated.
Schedule Your Immigration Evaluation Today
You don’t need to figure this out alone. I provide virtual immigration evaluations across California, including:
Bakersfield
Fresno
Delano
Central Valley
Los Angeles
Modesto
San Jose
Sacramento
San Diego
Stockton
Call or Text: 805 307 8842
Email: edith@vivewelltherapy.com
Contact Page: www.vivewelltherapy.com/contact
Let’s document your story with care, clarity, and compassion.
Warmly,
Edith Munguia, LMFT
