Forensic mental health evaluations serve a vital purpose for immigration cases, especially for clients who have experienced trauma. These services are particularly important for immigrants who are seeking status through asylum, U‐visa, T‐visa, VAWA, SIJS and Cancellation of Removal. The need is particularly great for immigrants who have experienced the traumatic impacts of detention. Immigration lawyers and mental health clinicians working together to address clients’ trauma is crucial in helping them overcome the credibility challenge in seeking protection in the complex immigration system.
A high-quality forensic evaluation is often the difference between winning and losing a case. Between 2000 and 2004, 89% of 1,663 asylum seekers won their case after receiving medical evaluations from Physicians for Human Rights (a national organization that supports pro bono clinicians) compared to the national average of 37.5% among US asylum seekers who did not receive PHR evaluations. Agencies also indicated that many of their clients could be more effectively represented legally if clients were in regular counseling to help them heal from past trauma, particularly those with a humanitarian‐based case.
Since 2019, HILSC has worked to develop resources to increase capacity for forensic evaluations by providing training to clinicians and attorneys and connecting local attorneys with local clinicians through our online directory. HILSC is relaunching this service in 2024.
Want more information on Forensic Evaluations?
Visit our Forensic Evaluations page to find out how to request an evaluation or become an evaluator.
Attorneys Requesting Evaluations
If you are an attorney providing pro bono immigration legal services in need of a forensic evaluator to conduct a mental health evaluation for your client, please click the following link to fill out a request form.
Attorneys looking for clinicians directly
If you are an attorney providing pro bono immigration legal services in need of a forensic evaluator to conduct a mental health evaluation for your client, please click the following link to fill out a request form.
Help us fortify the ecosystem to assist immigrants
in greater Houston.
Support co-creating a vibrant and resilient ecosystem where all immigrants, migrants, and refugees belong.
Our Programs
HILSC ADVOCATES FOR IMMIGRANTS THROUGH PRINCIPLED, VALUES-BASED COLLABORATION.
English 
Spanish 
Chinese