Evaluations For Extreme Hardship
The term extreme hardship is used to define what a person would go through if their loved one experiences a potential separation or relocation.
Hardship Immigration Evaluations are often denied due to the evaluation not providing sufficient evidence.
Our office holds expert-level counselors that have years of experience in conducting immigration evaluations for hardship waivers.
The hardship waiver explores the mental health status of the client, the impact of relocation or separation, medical and psychological history, and the impact of challenges that connect to immigration status.
What Is An Extreme Hardship Immigration Like?
The extreme hardship evaluation is an evaluation conducted by a licensed counselor. The evaluation takes place in a private and confidential space. You are able to work with the counselor on a one-on-one basis.
During the immigration evaluation for the hardship waiver, the counselor provides a number of mental health assessments. These are also known as psychometric tests. The psychometric test is used to further understand symptoms and mental health status. In addition to the test that takes place during the immigration evaluation for the hardship waiver, the counselor utilizes collateral information, closely works with the attorney, and highlights areas of credibility that support the hardship petition.
To further understand the waivers please read over the I-601 and the I-601A waiver. The links provided go into detail on legal language from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Proving Extreme Hardship Waivers
The extreme hardship waiver encourages those pursuing it to demonstrate evidence that they are in fact going through hardship. According to the USCIS website, there are varying forms of evidence that the petitioner can utilize. The mental health evaluation for the hardship waiver is one form of evidence. This is why it is vital to work with a counselor that holds expertise and extensive knowledge in the area of immigration evaluations.
Please know that the role of the counselor is different than the role of the attorney when conducting immigration evaluations. As your counselor, our position ethically and legally is neutral.
As counselors, we conduct immigration evaluations in a professional, neutral, and objective manner. Our goal is to work with you and support you in your process of pursuing the hardship waiver.
Working With Juan Santos
Juan Santos is a licensed professional counselor and the owner of Santos Counseling PLLC. He was born in the Dominican Republic and relocated during his adolescent years. Juan is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish. He has years of experience working with immigration cases that include: U Visa, VAWA, Cancellation of Removal, Waivers, Hardship Waivers, and more.
Qualifications
- Licensed professional counselor.
- Mr. Santos provides training to clinicians and psychologists across the U.S. focused on conducting immigration evaluations.
- Current doctorate student completing a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision.
- Has presented on the topic of immigration evaluations at webinars, universities, and national conferences.
- Juan has been featured on a podcast with a focus on conducting immigration evaluations.
- Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
- Certification as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.
