IMMIGRANT CASES
Disability Evaluations for Immigration Cases
Ability Psychological Services works with immigration attorneys and their clients when a psychological evaluation may help clarify a disability or mental impairment relevant to an immigration matter. Our evaluations focus on the individual’s clinical history, current functioning, and the specific questions the attorney needs addressed.
If you are seeking an evaluation for a client, contact us to discuss the referral and whether it falls within our clinical services.
Discuss a Client Referral
NATURALIZATION SUPPORT
Some applicants for U.S. citizenship may seek an exception to the English and/or civics requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment. USCIS uses Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, for this request.
A psychological evaluation can assess the person’s condition and explain how it affects their ability to learn or demonstrate the required English or civics knowledge. A diagnosis alone does not establish eligibility; the clinical findings must address the connection between the impairment and the requirements the applicant cannot meet.
When the evaluation findings support it, a licensed clinical psychologist may complete and certify Form N-648. USCIS decides whether to grant the requested exception.
What the Evaluation May Include
Each evaluation is shaped by the individual and the question being asked. It may include a clinical interview, review of relevant records, assessment of cognitive or psychological functioning, and written findings. The psychologist determines which steps are appropriate for the person being evaluated.
Discuss a Client Referral
FOR CLIENTS
What to Expect as a Client
You may have been referred by an immigration attorney because a health condition affects your ability to meet a requirement in your case. Our role is to listen to your history, understand how the condition affects you, and provide an independent clinical assessment.
An evaluation does not guarantee a particular diagnosis, a completed Form N-648, or an immigration outcome. We will assess your circumstances carefully and base our findings on the information gathered.
If you have an attorney, we encourage you to ask them what question the evaluation needs to address. You or your attorney can then contact our office to discuss whether our services are a good fit.
Contact Our Office
FOR ATTORNEYS
Refer a Client for an Evaluation
We understand that you need to know whether an evaluation fits your client’s case before making a referral. When you contact us, please share the type of immigration matter, the disability-related question you need addressed, whether Form N-648 is involved, and any relevant deadline.
We welcome context about the client’s history and records that may be available. The evaluation will be tailored to the referral question, while all clinical conclusions and any certification remain based on the psychologist’s independent findings.
If the request involves an immigration matter other than a naturalization disability exception, please describe the purpose of the evaluation. We review these referrals individually to determine whether they fall within our clinical services.
Discuss a Client Referral
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Form N-648, and when might a client need one?
Form N-648 is the medical certification used to request an exception to the English and/or civics requirements for naturalization because of a disability or impairment. An attorney may contact us when a client has a condition that could affect their ability to learn or demonstrate the required knowledge.
We can discuss whether a psychological evaluation appears appropriate for the question at hand. The evaluation itself determines what clinical findings, if any, can be documented.
2. Can your office complete Form N-648?
A licensed clinical psychologist may certify Form N-648 when the evaluation findings support it. We approach each referral as an independent clinical assessment, so we cannot promise a completed certification before evaluating the client.
If you are referring someone specifically for Form N-648, please let us know when you first contact us. That helps us understand the purpose of the referral and discuss what information may be needed.
3. Does an existing diagnosis mean my client qualifies for an exception?
Not necessarily. For Form N-648, the key question is how the disability or impairment affects the person’s ability to meet the English and/or civics requirements. A diagnosis is one part of the clinical picture, but it does not answer that question by itself.
Our role is to evaluate the individual and clearly explain the relevant findings. USCIS decides whether to grant the requested exception.
4. What should an attorney include in a referral inquiry?
A brief description of the immigration matter and the question you need answered is a good start. Please mention any filing or appointment deadlines and whether relevant medical, mental health, or educational records are available. There is no need to send sensitive records through our general contact form; we can discuss how to share them after we connect.
5. What if my client needs an accommodation rather than an exception?
An accommodation changes how someone participates in a USCIS process; an exception addresses whether they must meet the English or civics requirement. They are different requests, and a client’s circumstances may call for a discussion of one or both.
Your office can determine what immigration request to pursue. We can discuss whether there is a clinical question our office can help evaluate.
6. What if I need an evaluation for a different immigration matter?
Please reach out and tell us what the evaluation needs to address. We do not assume that every immigration-related request calls for the same type of assessment. Our office will review the proposed scope and let you know whether it fits our services.
7. Can the evaluation guarantee a result in the immigration case?
No. We provide an independent clinical assessment, and our findings must reflect the information gathered. An attorney advises the client about the immigration case, and the relevant authority makes the decision on the application or request.
8. Can I refer a client for a disability evaluation involving a different immigration matter?
You are welcome to contact us. Tell us what the evaluation needs to address and how it relates to the client’s immigration matter. We review these requests individually to determine whether they fit our clinical services.
Are you an attorney considering a referral or a client seeking an evaluation?
