Extreme Hardship Evaluations for Immigration
At AFS Counseling Services, we provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive extreme hardship evaluations. We focus on emotional well-being and the impact of separation or relocation. Denial of entry or removal from the USA causes severe emotional and psychological hardship for qualifying family members or relatives. We carefully document this hardship for the immigration case.
- Chicago, Illinois • Online Across the State
What is Immigration Hardship Evaluation?
An extreme hardship evaluation for immigration is a clinical assessment that documents the emotional and mental effects on a family or relative (who is U.S. citizen) when an individual is deported or denied entry to the United States. The evaluation provides clinical documentation and isn’t a legal standard for extreme hardship (decided by USCIS).
Comprehensive Evaluation
Depending on your unique circumstances, an evaluation provides a thorough assessment of emotional well-being, family dynamics, relocation impacts, and individual support needs.
Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being
Evaluates anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional distress caused by the effects of separation or relocation from loved ones.
Relocation, Family & Support Dynamics
Assesses the psychological effects of relocation or separation from loved ones, dependence on the applicant, and shifts in daily family functioning and caregiving.
Who Can Get Extreme Hardship Evaluation?
An extreme hardship evaluation may be appropriate for qualifying U.S. relatives of individuals applying for immigration waivers, including those facing
Unlawful Presence & Bars
Evaluate qualifying relatives applying for I-601 or I-601A provisional waivers and inadmissibility grounds.
Deportation & Criminal Risk
Support families navigating removal proceedings or criminal inadmissibility under INA 212(h) waivers.
Separation & Relocation Impact
Document severe emotional, financial, medical, or safety hardships caused by family separation or forced relocation.
How an Extreme Hardship Evaluation Can Support Your Case
A clinical immigration hardship evaluation defines the emotional and psychological impact that may not be fully captured in legal documents alone. Clinical documentation may address how separation or relocation could affect a qualifying relative's mental health and emotional stability, treatment or access to ongoing care, ability to function day to day, parenting or caregiving responsibilities, and family relationships and support system.
Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Care
Discussing possible separation from a spouse, child, parent, or other family member can be deeply difficult. Our licensed clinical therapist, Alice Solis, LCPC, uses a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach to understand each person's experience in context and document clinically relevant information carefully and objectively. If you are represented by an immigration attorney, AFS Counseling Services can coordinate with your legal team when appropriate.
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What Includes the Extreme Hardship Clinical evaluation
The process is designed to understand the qualifying relative's circumstances while providing careful, objective clinical documentation.
01
Clinical Interview
Alice discusses the individual's history, family relationships, mental health, current circumstances, and concerns related to separation or relocation.
02
Clinical Assessment
When appropriate, clinical assessment methods may be used to better understand symptoms and current functioning.
03
Clinical Analysis
The information is reviewed from a mental health perspective to understand the potential psychological effects of the circumstances described.
04
Written Evaluation
A formal clinical evaluation documents the relevant clinical findings and psychological impact for the immigration case.
What Happens After the Evaluation?
After the clinical interview and any appropriate assessment, Alice reviews the information and prepares the written evaluation. The completed report can then be provided securely to you and/or your legal representative according to the arrangements made for the evaluation. Your attorney can determine whether and when the evaluation should be submitted with your immigration case.
Extreme Hardship Evaluation Fees
Standard evaluation: $1,500
Expedited evaluation: $1,850, including a $350 rush fee
Standard turnaround: 2–3 weeks
Expedited turnaround: Under one week.
If your attorney has a specific deadline, let us know when scheduling so we can discuss the available timeline.
Why Choose AFS Counseling Services?
Experienced immigration evaluator
Alice Solis, LCPC provides clinical immigration evaluations for complex cases involving extreme hardship and other forms of immigration relief.
Cases handled with sensitivity
Your circumstances are handled with care, respect, and sensitivity, especially when discussing family separation, trauma, or difficult life circumstances.
Clear Clinical Documentation
The evaluation focuses on relevant clinical findings and explains them in clear, professional language.
Collaboration With Legal Professionals
When appropriate, AFS Counseling Services can communicate with your immigration attorney regarding the clinical evaluation and documentation.
Have Any Questions?
How much does an immigration hardship evaluation cost?
Our standard immigration extreme hardship evaluation is $1,500, which includes the clinical interviews, document reviews, and a comprehensive written report. If your case requires expedited delivery for an upcoming deadline or court date, we offer an expedited evaluation for $1,850 (which includes a $350 rush fee).
What is an extreme hardship clinical evaluation?
It is a clinical assessment that documents the psychological and emotional effects that separation or relocation may have on a qualifying relative in an immigration case.
Who is evaluated for extreme hardship?
The evaluation generally focuses on the qualifying relative whose psychological hardship is relevant to the immigration case. Your attorney can identify the appropriate person and referral questions.
What can an extreme hardship evaluation document?
It may document mental health symptoms, treatment needs, emotional dependence, caregiving responsibilities, family disruption, and other psychological effects relevant to the circumstances of separation or relocation.
Does an extreme hardship evaluation guarantee approval of my case?
No. A clinical evaluation provides clinical documentation but does not determine legal eligibility or guarantee an immigration outcome.
Is an extreme hardship evaluation available online?
AFS Counseling Services provides immigration evaluations through secure online sessions for clients throughout Illinois.
Can my immigration attorney communicate with AFS Counseling Services?
Yes. With appropriate authorization, Alice can communicate and coordinate with your immigration attorney regarding the evaluation and documentation process.
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Start Your Extreme Hardship Evaluation
Get accurate assessment focused on documenting the psychological effects of separation or relocation to confidently present your immigration case.