Psychological Evaluations for T Visa Cases

What this case type is

The T visa is for survivors of a severe form of trafficking in persons who are in the United States because of the trafficking (INA 101(a)(15)(T)). That means sex trafficking through force, fraud or coercion, or involving anyone under 18, or labor trafficking through force, fraud or coercion into involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.

Applicants must also show, among other things, that they would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed. A psychological evaluation can speak to the applicant's trauma and to the mental health side of that hardship.

Applicants generally must also comply with reasonable requests from law enforcement. One exception applies to applicants who cannot cooperate because of physical or psychological trauma, and an evaluation can speak to that as well.

What the evaluation looks at

• The applicant's psychological symptoms and whether they are consistent with the reported trafficking experience.
• How coercion and control during the trafficking may have affected the applicant.
• The applicant's current functioning, treatment needs and access to care.
• What the available information shows about the likely psychological effect of returning to the home country.

The written report states Sandra's findings as what the available information supports. The attorney decides how to use it in the case.

Who conducts the evaluation

Sandra Arboleda, LICSW, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, conducts evaluations directly in English or Spanish.

Evaluations are conducted by telehealth for clients in 40 states and jurisdictions.

Questions

Other evaluation types

• I-601 and I-601A Hardship Waivers
• EOIR-42B Cancellation of Removal
• U Visa
• Asylum
• VAWA