Forensic Psychological Assessment In Immigration Court

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Immigration Court is an essential specialized guide for psychologists and clinicians who work with immigrants. Immigration evaluations differ in many ways from other types of forensic assessments because of the psycholegal issues that extend beyond the individual, including family dynamics, social context, and cross-cultural concerns. Immigrants are often victims of trauma and require specialized expertise to elicit the information needed for assessment. Having spent much of their professional careers as practicing forensic psychologists, authors Evans and Hass have compiled a comprehensive text that draws on forensic psychology, psychological assessment, traumatology, family processes, and national and international political forces to present an approach for the effective and ethical practice of forensic psychological assessment in Immigration Court.

PROSE Award- Psychology Finalist A timely and important contribution to the study of immigration court from a psychological perspective Every day, large numbers of immigrants undertake dangerous migration journeys only to face deportation or “removal” proceedings once they arrive in the U.S. Others who have been in the country for many years may face these proceedings as well, and either group may seek to gain lawful status by means of an application to USCIS, the benefits arm of the immigration system. Mental Health Evaluations in Immigration Court examines the growing role of mental health professionals in the immigration system as they conduct forensic mental health assessments that are used as psychological evidence for applications for deportation relief, write affidavits for the court about the course of treatment they have provided to immigrants, help prepare people emotionally to be deported, and provide support for immigrants in detention centers. Many immigrants appear in immigration court—often without an attorney if they cannot afford one—as part of deportation proceedings. Mental health professionals can be deeply involved in these proceedings, from helping to buttress an immigrant’s plea for asylum to helping an immigration judge make decisions about hardship, competency or risks for violence. There are a whole host of psycho-legal and forensic issues that arise in immigration court and in other immigration applications that have not yet been fully addressed in the field. This book provides an overview of relevant issues likely to be addressed by mental health and legal professionals. Mental Health Evaluations in Immigration Court corrects a serious deficiency in the study of immigration law and mental health, offering suggestions for future scholarship and acting as a vital resource for mental health professionals, immigration lawyers, and judges.

This book prepares mental health professionals to conduct a thorough psychological assessment of individuals involved in immigration proceedings and present the results in a professional report. Written by a licensed clinical psychologist with input from an attorney certified in Immigration and Nationality Law, the book uses clear language that makes it accessible to experienced and novice therapists alike. Chapters present a basic legal understanding of various types of immigration cases and detail the process of conducting the clinical interview, choosing the psychological instruments appropriate for each case, and writing the report. The book also covers practical considerations such as testifying in immigration court and expanding your practice to include immigration evaluations. Vignettes and sample reports link theory to real-world situations, drawing from the authors’ multiple years of combined experience. This book is an essential guide for clinicians who want to assist the diverse and often disempowered population of immigrants and their families.

This book focuses on the psychologist’s role in assessing immigration cases and serving as an expert witness in these situations. It provides extensive background information on the history of immigration law in the U.S. and the legal precedents that establish professional qualifications for testifying in court, covering a range of forensic evaluations including spousal abuse, cognitive deficits, and hardship consequences of deportation. Additionally, the book offers practical strategies for: Writing a clinical report acceptable in court Preparing the required waivers for an accurate evaluation Qualifying as an expert witness Conducting Psychological Assessments for U.S. Immigration Cases is a useful guide for psychologists serving a critical role carrying out evaluations that determine an immigrant’s status and future in the country.

"This book provides an overview of relevant issues at the intersection of mental health and immigration law, including the legal context of immigration court, and cultural and forensic mental health assessment considerations, serving a resource to mental health and legal professionals, as well as academics wishing to pursue scholarship in this area"--

A timely and important contribution to the study of immigration court from a psychological perspective. Every day, large numbers of immigrants undertake dangerous migration journeys only to face deportation or "removal" proceedings once they arrive in the U.S. Others who have been in the country for many years may face these proceedings as well, and either group may seek to gain lawful status by means of an application to USCIS, the benefits arm of the immigration system. Mental Health Evaluations in Immigration Court examines the growing role of mental health professionals in the immigration system as they conduct forensic mental health assessments that are used as psychological evidence for applications for deportation relief, write affidavits for the court about the course of treatment they have provided to immigrants, help prepare people emotionally to be deported, and provide support for immigrants in detention centers. Many immigrants appear in immigration court--often without an attorney if they cannot afford one--as part of deportation proceedings. Mental health professionals can be deeply involved in these proceedings, from helping to buttress an immigrant's plea for asylum to helping an immigration judge make decisions about hardship, competency or risks for violence. There are a whole host of psycho-legal and forensic issues that arise in immigration court and in other immigration applications that have not yet been fully addressed in the field. This book provides an overview of relevant issues likely to be addressed by mental health and legal professionals. Mental Health Evaluations in Immigration Court corrects a serious deficiency in the study of immigration law and mental health, offering suggestions for future scholarship and acting as a vital resource for mental health professionals, immigration lawyers, and judges.

The Handbook of Forensic Rorschach Assessment underscores the unique contribution the Rorschach makes to forensic practice. All of the chapters include the expertise of a licensed practicing forensic psychologist, and offer a systematic approach to personality assessment in presenting use of the Rorschach in specific forensic contexts.

Jails are the largest service providers of mental health in the United States. Unlike prisons, where all incarcerated individuals have been convicted of a crime and are serving long sentences, most individuals incarcerated in jails are waiting a disposition to their court case, making this pretrial environment particularly chaotic. Jail detainees have higher prevalence rates of mental illness, trauma, suicide, and substance use than individuals in the community or even in prisons. Adequate mental health interventions are essential to prevent suicide; to mitigate acute psychopathology, retraumatization, and stress; and to reduce recidivism. Mental health practice and research in jails requires specialized knowledge, but the vast majority of the literature on correctional mental health is derived from prison research. The Handbook of Mental Health Assessment and Treatment in Jails draws upon existing research and the experiences of a range of correctional psychologists, psychiatrists, and researchers to provide guidance for working with people with mental health needs in jails. The Handbook both advances knowledge in correctional mental health in the jail setting and serves as a call to action for researchers to continue developing a scientific base for jail correctional mental health. Chapters include legal and ethical considerations in jails, reentry issues that are specific to jails, interventions for competency restoration in jail detainees, assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders, special considerations for rural jails, and special populations such as adolescents and women. This book will serve as a go-to guide for mental health professionals who provide clinical services in jails, jail administrators, and researchers.