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IMMIGRATION EVALUATIONS
(MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS FOR IMMIGRATION PROCESSES)

Mental health evaluations document the psychological effects of trauma and may corroborate migrants' narratives of hardship. This can be strong, compelling evidence in support of cases in which a person is seeking immigration relief. 

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Research shows that psychological evaluations can significantly impact the outcome of immigration cases. A study found that asylum seekers who included medical/mental health evaluations were granted asylum at almost twice the rates than those who did not include them.* This underscores the critical role that thorough, trauma-informed evaluations can play in achieving successful results. 

(*Atkinson, H. G., Wyka, K., Hampton, K., Seno, C. L., Yim, E. T., Ottenheimer, D., & Arastu, N. S. (2021). Impact of forensic medical evaluations on immigration relief grant rates and correlates of outcomes in the United States. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 85, 102272.)

With over 8 years of experience providing trauma-informed mental health care, conducting trauma-informed evaluations for immigration purposes and training other mental health professionals on how to conduct them (read more here), I specialize in mental health evaluations for extreme hardship asylum, special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS), U visas, T visas, and protection under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

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As a New York State licensed trauma-informed psychotherapist working with migrants who seek immigration relief, I have assisted countless patients in processing their pre- during- and post-migration experiences, and have provided contention and support through their immigration legal process. This, together with the training and experiences as a former human rights lawyer, and the co-authored scholarly publications on the subject, has equipped me with a unique blend of expertise that enhances my skills as an evaluator.

Specialties

  • Asylum 

  • Extreme Hardship

  • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) 

  • U visas 

  • T visas

  • Protection under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

"Ms. Punsky’s exceptional skills have been instrumental in the successful outcome of several of my clients' asylum and SIJS cases. Her evaluations are meticulous, comprehensive, and insightful. Ms. Punsky’s deep understanding of both the legal and psychological nuances of the cases has ensured that the evaluations are compelling and effective. Ms. Punsky is an invaluable asset in the realm of mental health evaluations for immigration proceedings."

Brett Stark, Esq.

Former Supervising Attorney, Catholic Charities New York, Division of Immigration and Refugee Services.

Specifications

  • I conduct evaluations in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, without the need of an interpreter. Other languages will need an interpreter.

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  • Evaluations are currently conducted online through a secure platform.

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  • Fees vary depending on, among other things, the type of immigration relief being sought and the timeframe the evaluation report needs to be submitted by. Ask me about the fee for your specific case!

Values

  • My work is grounded in the principles of social justice and human dignity, ensuring that the person's story is heard and respected.

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  • I believe in creating a community of care that stands in solidarity with those facing the complexities of the immigration process. I am here to offer my expertise and unwavering support as you or your clients navigate their journey toward safety and stability.

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  • In addition to conducting evaluations, I am passionate about empowering other mental health professionals by providing training on how to conduct them. Read more here.

 Get in Touch

Fill out the form or email:

eval@brendapunsky.org

If you are a mental health provider interested in evaluation training, click here.

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