Our Services

 
A typical immigration evaluation includes the following:

        •       An interview with you and close members of your family. The interview will help us understand important psychological, medical, and social background information and your current cognitive and psychological functioning level.
        •       Consultation with your attorney to determine the type of waiver best suited for your case.
        •       A review of medical, psychological, and other supporting documents that help us have a better understanding of your psychological and emotional functioning.
        •       We will administer psychological tests and questionnaires to help us figure out specific areas where you are having psychological difficulty.

        •       After we complete the evaluation, we will write a comprehensive report that integrates our findings and give it to your attorney. 

We specialize in the following areas: 

Extreme and Exceptional Hardship 

In extreme and exceptional hardship cases, a citizen of the United States, or legal permanent resident, is the spouse, fiancée, parent, or child of an individual who may be at risk of being deported from the U.S. The United States citizen would then apply for a waiver, as deportation would result in extreme and exceptional hardship. A few relevant factors in this case would include family relationships, medical treatment, or the advancement of intelligence in comparison to their country of origin. For example, if the legal permanent resident, or U.S. citizen, has a sick parent, spouse, child, or sibling, the deportation would make it extremely difficult for the individuals, in the U.S. to get the help that they need. The individual could also have more of a struggle in the foreign country as opposed to the United States. Additionally, the individual in question may have children who have advanced beyond the foreign country's educational standard and would be placed at an extreme disadvantage in comparison to the U.S. In such cases, leaving the United States might represent a permanent bar to the completion of their education. Some children, especially those who are very young and lack the emotional maturity to understand why a parent might have to leave the United States, could also develop a depressive disorder. Moreover, the individual themselves may be facing serious medical conditions that require treatment from the United States, as it may not be available in their foreign country. In extreme and exceptional hardship cases, if one parent has to leave the United States, it can produce a separation anxiety disorder on the part of the child left behind. 

Political Asylum

An individual who has been subjected to mistreatment and abuse within a foreign country can apply for political asylum. This mistreatment is commonly aware in political, religious, ethnic, and gender factors. In the case of political asylum, the individual will flee the foreign country and make his or her way to the United States to file a claim. In most cases, it can be assumed that the individual has developed some type of psychological incapacity as a result of the abuse endured. Depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental disabilities are common. Many times, this disorder can interfere with an individual's ability to file a claim for asylum during the required one-year period. Ultimately, it is necessary for the individual to undergo an assessment to determine if their psychological issues affecting their ability to file a political asylum claim within a timely manner. In these types of cases, it is also helpful to assess whether or not an individual continues to suffer from psychological symptoms after their arrival to the United States. This helps us gauge how profound the trauma was in the country of origin, and how long-standing the psychological ramifications will potentially be.

Spousal Abuse

In the case of spousal abuse, a woman or man from a foreign country marries a citizen, or legal permanent resident, of the United States and endures abuse from them in some form. The abuse can be assessed as verbal, physical, sexual, or psychological mistreatment. In spousal abuse cases, it is important to evaluate the quality and extent of the abuse, as well as the frequency of abuse in order to determine the rate of the impact that it has had on the individual. 

U Visa

A U Visa gives legal status to immigrants, as well as undocumented immigrants, who have been victims of serious crimes in the United States and meet certain other requirements. With a U Visa, the immigrant is able to live and work in the United States for up to four years. After three years, however, a victim with a U visa must apply for a green card to obtain residency. Victims of crimes, including sexual abuse, domestic violence, involuntary servitude, sexual exploitation, kidnapping, female genital mutilation, trafficking, and rape, must have suffered severe physical, mental, or emotional abuse. In addition, they must provide information that may help law enforcement individuals in investigating or prosecuting their perpetrators. Depending on the situation, the victim's family members may also be eligible for a U Visa. However, several certifications and forms are involved. Contact an experienced immigration lawyer to assist with your U Visa petition.

BBS Counseling and Forensic provides a wide range of expert services in Immigration Law. 

Contact Kathuy Alonso (702) 577-7792 to discuss your anticipated needs and projected timeline.

Evaluations at ICE Detention Centers and Correctional Facilities are available. 

BBS licensed therapists are available to perform psychosocial evaluations and criminal assessments for U.S. Immigration.

Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger post traumatic events. We can help you overcome these symptoms and guide you through the process of grief and healing. 

Online sessions are available, held from the safety of your own home at a time that is convenient for you through our easy scheduling platform.