Immigration Psychological Evaluation Services in California
Eight forensic immigration psychological evaluation services delivered by Dr. Julia Mantonya (PSY28494): California-licensed clinical psychologist with nine-plus years of clinical experience in high-security settings. Statewide California via secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth. Flat-fee pricing $1,500 to $2,500. usual 5-7 business day turnaround. Professional interpretation available in most languages if needed.
Quick answer
We offer eight forensic psychological evaluation services for California immigration cases: asylum / withholding / CAT ($2,000), VAWA self-petition ($2,000), U-visa crime victim ($1,800), T-visa trafficking ($2,000), extreme hardship waiver (I-601 / I-601A) ($2,500), cancellation of removal (EOIR-42B) ($2,500), N-648 disability waiver ($1,500), and immigration competency evaluation ($1,500). Standard turnaround is usually 5-7 business days; priority rush (3 days, +50%) and emergency rush (24 hours, +100%) are available. See full pricing details or contact us to schedule.
$2,000
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 208 / 241(b)(3) / Form I-589
Forensic psychological evaluation documenting persecution-related trauma for asylum applications, withholding of removal claims, and Convention Against Torture protection. Standardized testing battery: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Trauma Symptom Inventory, Second Edition (TSI-2). The report documents the symptoms found and how they compare with the reported history; whether a fear is well-founded is for the asylum officer or judge.
Asylum evaluation details
$2,000
INA 204(a)(1) / Form I-360
Forensic evaluation documenting battery or extreme cruelty for VAWA self-petitions by abused spouses and children of U.S. citizens or LPRs, and abused parents of U.S. citizen sons or daughters 21 or older. 8 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 1367 provides strong confidentiality protections that limit when the government may share your information with an abuser. Despite the name, VAWA protects all genders.
VAWA evaluation details
$1,800
INA 101(a)(15)(U) / Form I-918
Forensic evaluation documenting substantial physical or mental abuse for U-visa petitions. Organizes clinical findings by the five substantial-abuse factors at 8 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 214.14(b)(1): the nature of the injury, the severity of the conduct, the severity of the harm, how long it was inflicted, and any permanent or serious harm.
U-visa evaluation details
$2,000
22 U.S.C. § 7102 / Form I-914
Forensic evaluation for survivors of severe forms of human trafficking. Documents the psychological effects of the force, fraud or coercion the survivor reports. The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II) is added when dissociative symptoms are part of the picture.
T-visa evaluation details
$2,500
Form I-601 / I-601A / Cervantes-Gonzalez factors
Dual-scenario forensic evaluation documenting extreme hardship to a qualifying relative. Who counts depends on the ground: a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouse or parent for the I-601A and the unlawful presence and fraud waivers (with a separate VAWA rule for fraud), and also a son or daughter for some criminal grounds (INA 212(h)). Separation, relocation, or both, depending on what the case relies on. Because courts have very limited power to review these waiver decisions (Patel v. Garland), the record your attorney files with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) matters.
Hardship waiver evaluation details
$2,500
INA 240A(b) / Form EOIR-42B
Forensic evaluation documenting exceptional and extremely unusual hardship for ordinary non-LPR cancellation of removal (INA 240A(b)(1)), also called "10-year cancellation," "42B cancellation," or "non-LPR cancellation." Under Matter of J-J-G- (Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) 2020), a case resting on a qualifying relative's health must show a serious medical condition and, if the relative would go with the applicant, that adequate care is not reasonably available there; the evaluation documents the mental health side.
Cancellation of removal evaluation details
$1,500
INA 312(b) / 8 CFR 312.2(b)(2) / Form N-648
Medical certification for the disability exception to N-400 naturalization English and civics requirements. Only licensed medical doctors (M.D.), doctors of osteopathy (D.O.), or licensed clinical psychologists may certify it (8 CFR 312.2(b)(2)). Includes the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) cognitive screen and a focused mental status exam.
N-648 evaluation details
$1,500
Matter of M-A-M-, 25 I&N Dec. 474 (BIA 2011)
Forensic competency evaluation for respondents in California immigration proceedings with possible mental impairment that affects their ability to participate. Documents the abilities Matter of M-A-M- looks at: understanding the proceedings, consulting with counsel, and examining and presenting evidence and cross-examining witnesses. Written report only; no testimony or court appearances.
Competency evaluation details
What every flat fee includes
- Records review: personal declaration, medical records, country conditions, prior evaluations, case-specific documentation
- Clinical interview: 90 to 120 minutes via secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth
- Standardized testing battery: PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7, BDI-II, plus case-specific instruments (DES-II, TSI-2, MoCA, Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS) as indicated)
- Forensic psychological report: written findings with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) diagnoses where they apply and a clinical opinion on the questions relevant to your case
- Revisions: reasonable revisions within the scope of the evaluation, with the findings kept as Dr. Mantonya's independent clinical opinion
- Request for Evidence (RFE) responses: incorporated through addendum at no charge for findings the original report addressed
- Tell us about your case: through the contact form, in any language; if it is a fit, a private intake link arrives with the reply and the booking link follows the intake review
Why a doctoral-level evaluator matters
Dr. Mantonya holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with the California Board of Psychology (PSY28494). For two of these eight services, N-648 disability waivers and competency evaluations call for formal cognitive and diagnostic assessment; for the N-648, the form must be certified by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist (8 CFR 312.2(b)(2)). Read about Dr. Mantonya's credentials and methodology →
Where we work
The practice is based in Santa Clarita and serves all of California through secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth, with in-person appointments available by request in the Los Angeles area, including Santa Clarita and the San Fernando Valley. A telehealth evaluation follows the same standardized battery and produces the same forensic report as an in-person session, so clients in San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno, the Bay Area, and everywhere between book the same way. Where a test needs to be given in person or in a specific way, the report says how it was given.
Ready to schedule an evaluation?
Start by telling us about your case through the contact form, in your own words and in any language. Dr. Mantonya reviews what you send and replies with next steps. If the case is a fit, the reply includes your private intake link. Interpreter available if needed.
Disclaimer: This page describes available services. The information here does not constitute legal or clinical advice and does not establish a clinician-patient relationship. A clinician-patient relationship forms only after a signed engagement agreement and completed intake.