For Immigration Attorneys

Partner with a Forensic Immigration Evaluator Licensed in Four States

I'm Fernando Vázquez, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 8 years specializing in immigration psychological evaluations. I've completed hundreds of evaluations for immigration courts, including the Dallas Immigration Court, Houston Immigration Court, Miami Immigration Court, Orlando Immigration Court, Charlotte Immigration Court, and USCIS field offices throughout New Jersey, Florida, Texas, and South Carolina.

My evaluations connect clinical findings directly to the legal elements your cases need. I don't write template reports. I provide forensic assessments that address specific legal criteria for hardship waivers, VAWA petitions, asylum claims, U-visas, T-visas, and cancellation of removal cases.

The Evidence: Why Psychological Evaluations Matter

Peer-reviewed research demonstrates that professional psychological evaluations nearly double immigration case success rates. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine analyzed 2,584 immigration cases and found 81.6% of applicants with forensic evaluations were granted relief, compared to 42.4% without evaluations (Atkinson et al., 2021).

For asylum cases specifically, the impact is even more dramatic. An earlier study in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health found 89% of asylum seekers with professional evaluations were granted asylum, compared to 37.5% without (Lustig et al., 2008).

These aren't anecdotal claims. They're findings from peer-reviewed studies analyzing thousands of cases over multiple years. When you recommend a psychological evaluation to your clients, you're recommending an intervention that research shows can nearly double their chances of success.

Sources:

• Atkinson, H.G., et al. (2021). Impact of forensic medical evaluations on immigration relief grant rates. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 84:102272. [PubMed] [Full Text]
• Lustig, S.L., et al. (2008). Asylum grant rates following medical evaluations of maltreatment. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 10(1):7-15. [PubMed] [Full Text]

Why Immigration Attorneys Choose to Work with Me

Multi-State Licensing

I'm licensed to practice in New Jersey (LCSW #44SC06146200), Florida (LCSW #TPSW2497), Texas (LCSW #115239), and South Carolina (LCSW #TLS.359.CP). All licenses are independently verifiable through state boards. This allows me to serve your clients regardless of their location, and evaluations are conducted by a clinician licensed in their state of residence.

24-48 Hour Response Commitment

When you submit a referral, I respond within 24-48 hours. I understand attorney deadlines and court schedules. I don't leave you waiting to find out if I can take a case or when a report will be ready.

Five Turnaround Tiers

I offer flexible turnaround options to accommodate any timeline:

• Standard (15 days): Comprehensive evaluation with full report
• Priority (10 days): Expedited processing for approaching deadlines
• Rush (5 days): Fast-track evaluation and report preparation
• Express (2 days): Urgent cases with tight court deadlines
• Emergency (24 hours): Last-minute court deadlines and emergencies

Bilingual Services

I conduct evaluations in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Galician. Clients can communicate directly in their native language without relying on interpreters. This results in more detailed clinical information and stronger evaluations.

What My Reports Include

My evaluation reports are not template documents. They are comprehensive forensic assessments that connect clinical findings to legal criteria. Each report includes:

1. Clinical Interview Summary: Detailed mental health history, trauma exposure, current symptoms, and functional impact. I use trauma-informed interviewing techniques appropriate for clients who have experienced persecution, domestic violence, or trafficking.
2. Psychometric Testing (when indicated): Validated instruments including the PCL-5 for PTSD screening, structured clinical interviews following DSM-5 criteria, and other assessment tools appropriate to the case type.
3. Collateral Document Review: Analysis of legal documents, medical records, police reports, and other supporting materials you provide. I identify how psychological findings corroborate or contextualize the legal narrative.
4. Legal Criteria Analysis: This is what separates my reports from template evaluations. I don't just diagnose. I explain how psychological findings connect to the specific legal elements your case requires:
   • Hardship Waivers: I document how mental health conditions create extreme hardship across psychological, medical, educational, and financial dimensions
   • Asylum: I establish how trauma symptoms corroborate the persecution narrative and meet credible fear standards
   • VAWA: I detail how psychological impacts demonstrate battery or extreme cruelty as defined by immigration law
   • U/T-Visas: I document substantial mental or physical abuse resulting from qualifying criminal activity or trafficking
5. DSM-5 Diagnostic Clarity: When a diagnosis is appropriate, I provide clear diagnostic justification with supporting clinical evidence. When a diagnosis is not warranted, I explain psychological impacts that are still legally relevant.
6. Professional Formatting: Reports are formatted for USCIS submission and immigration court proceedings, including all required identifying information, credentials, and supporting documentation.

Telehealth Evaluations Throughout Four States

I conduct evaluations via secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth throughout New Jersey, Florida, Texas, and South Carolina. Your clients can complete evaluations from anywhere in these states without traveling to my Newark office.

I've completed hundreds of telehealth evaluations for immigration courts. Telehealth works particularly well for immigration evaluations because:

• Clients feel more comfortable in familiar environments when discussing trauma
• No travel time means easier scheduling around work and family obligations
• Spanish-speaking clients can communicate directly without interpreters
• Same forensic quality as in-person evaluations

In-person evaluations at my Newark office are also available for clients who prefer face-to-face assessment.

Case Types and Legal Standards

I provide forensic evaluations for all major immigration case types. Each evaluation addresses the specific legal criteria adjudicators assess:

I-601/I-601A Extreme Hardship Waivers

I document how deportation would create extreme hardship for qualifying U.S. citizen or LPR relatives across multiple dimensions. My evaluations address psychological hardship but also explain how mental health conditions intersect with financial, medical, educational, and country condition factors.

VAWA Self-Petitions (I-360)

I conduct comprehensive domestic violence assessments documenting psychological impacts of battery or extreme cruelty. My evaluations detail abuse patterns, psychological consequences, and how these meet VAWA's legal definition of qualifying abuse.

Asylum (I-589)

I document persecution-related trauma and establish how psychological symptoms corroborate the asylum narrative. My evaluations address credible fear standards and demonstrate psychological consequences of persecution.

U-Visas (Crime Victims)

I assess substantial mental or physical abuse resulting from qualifying criminal activity. Evaluations document psychological trauma, functional impairment, and cooperation with law enforcement.

T-Visas (Trafficking Victims)

I conduct trauma assessments for human trafficking survivors, documenting psychological impacts of exploitation, coercion, and trafficking experiences.

Cancellation of Removal

I document exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to qualifying relatives if deportation occurs. These evaluations address both immediate psychological impact and long-term consequences.

Credentials and Verification

Education: Master of Social Work (MSW), Rutgers University, 2018

Licenses (all independently verifiable):

• New Jersey: LCSW #44SC06146200
• Florida: LCSW #TPSW2497
• Texas: LCSW #115239
• South Carolina: LCSW #TLS.359.CP

Professional Memberships: National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Galician

How to Refer a Client

Referring a client is straightforward:

1. Contact me: Email info@riverbankbehavioral.com or call (862) 372-2737
2. Brief case overview: Share case type, timeline, and any specific legal criteria the evaluation should address
3. I respond within 24-48 hours: Confirm availability, turnaround tier, and fee structure
4. You provide client contact: I schedule directly with your client and coordinate document sharing
5. Evaluation and report: I complete evaluation and deliver report within agreed timeframe

I'm available for follow-up consultation if questions arise after report delivery.

Contact Information

Phone: (862) 372-2737

Email: info@riverbankbehavioral.com

Office: 78 Fillmore St., Newark, NJ 07105

I respond to all attorney inquiries within 24-48 hours.

Page Last Updated: January 2026 | Fernando Vázquez, LCSW | Licensed in NJ (#44SC06146200), FL (#TPSW2497), TX (#115239), SC (#TLS.359.CP) | MSW, Rutgers University 2018