Special considerations when conducting forensic psychological evaluations for immigration court.

Abstract

Immigrants are more likely to experience mental health symptoms due to the trauma and persecution they often experience before arrival, and the stress of migration. In addition, as immigration policies have become more restricted in the United States, larger numbers of immigrants are facing deportation, proceedings, and/or detention. This has increased the demand for psychologists who are needed to conduct forensic psychological evaluations in immigration courts. Psychologists can aid immigration courts in a number of ways, including by providing evidence of trauma in asylum seekers or in victims of human trafficking, or by assessing competency to participate in immigration proceedings, or risk for violence. Through a case sample, this paper highlights special considerations when conducting cross-cultural forensic assessments in immigration court and illustrates some ways in which clinical psychologists can apply their knowledge to immigration proceedings by developing expertise in the areas of multicultural psychology and forensic assessment.