CURRENT TRENDS AND BEST PRACTICES IN IMMIGRATION EVALS
Know Your Reports Are Still Getting It Right, Even as the Rules Keep Shifting
In this course, you'll learn exactly what's changed in USCIS scrutiny this year, the legal red flags hiding in accurate reports, and the wording shifts that separate a report that holds up from one that gets flagged.
USCIS's scrutiny has shifted again this year.
What read as thorough and credible twelve months ago can read as a red flag today.
A single sentence in the history section, worded one way instead of another, can be the difference between a report that holds up and one that triggers an RFE.
Every example comes from real report language, before and after, so you can see exactly how one reworded sentence changes what an adjudicator sees.
What It Is + Why You Need It:
This is a live, two-hour working session, not a lecture. Every point is taught through an actual case file: the original report language, then the revision, so you see exactly what changed and why
2026's USCIS shifts: what's actually changed in how evaluations get scrutinized this year, so you're not relying on what used to work.
Legal red flags hiding in accurate reports: the disclosures that can trigger an RFE or delay even when every word is true, and how to know what belongs in the report and what doesn't.
Clinical precision over advocacy language: how to write the history section so it reads as an expert opinion, not a one-sided argument, and exactly when a client's own words strengthen that objectivity versus when they weaken it.
Case-specific nuance for U-Visas, T-Visas, VAWA, and waivers: the considerations that shift by case type, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Real report language, before and after: actual excerpts showing how one reworded sentence changes what an adjudicator sees, plus how to hold your ethical line when a client or attorney pushes back.
What’s Included:
Sample reports
All presentation slides
90-day viewing of the recorded training
Invitation to join Dr. Shibley's exclusive Facebook group, where you can have your questions answered and continue your learning journey
PLUS, THESE BONUSES!!
2 Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association*
*PsychEvalCoach is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PsychEvalCoach maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Out-of-state licensees should check with their state governing board to make sure that the CE credits are valid in their state for their license. Acceptance of the CE credits for this activity is at the discretion of your licensing board.
Meet Your Instructor
I’m Dr. Mariela Shibley, a clinical and forensic psychologist with over 17 years of experience conducting immigration psychological evaluations.
I teach clinicians how to translate sound clinical work into clear, legally relevant reports that attorneys can rely on.
My approach emphasizes disciplined judgment, psycho-legal clarity, and ethical practice in high-stakes immigration cases.
I’m looking forward to working with you!
Learn the Current Trends and Best Practices in Immigration Evaluations
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$297
One time payment.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Differentiate the legal red flags that can trigger an RFE from the clinical disclosures that belong in a thorough evaluation, and analyze how 2026's heightened USCIS scrutiny has shifted where that line sits.
Apply the specific psycholegal framework for U-Visa, T-Visa, VAWA, and waiver cases, distinguish objective findings from subjective client statements, and determine when a direct quote strengthens the record versus when it weakens it.
Write a report that reads as clinical opinion rather than advocacy, hold your ethical line when a client or attorney pushes for compromising language, and produce findings that stay defensible under current USCIS scrutiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the training?
After registering, you’ll receive access through the Teachable course hub, where you’ll find the workshop and materials. Please email us and info@psychevalcoach.com if you have any issues accessing your training.
Can you remind me what’s included?
Your registration includes:
Sample reports
All presentation slides
90-day viewing of the recorded training
Invitation to join Dr. Shibley's exclusive Facebook group, where you can have your questions answered and continue your learning journey
This is designed to be immediately applicable — not just conceptual.
Is this state-specific?
No. Immigration law is federal and applies nationwide. The legal standards discussed in this workshop apply across U.S. immigration courts.
What if I register and realize it’s not for me?
Because this is a digital training that includes immediate access to materials and downloadable resources, refunds are not offered.
If you’re unsure whether this workshop is appropriate for your practice, you’re welcome to review the outline carefully or reach out before registering.
Isn't this the same as the foundational training I already completed?
No. Our Expert Training in Immigration Evaluations program covers the foundations. This workshop assumes you already have that foundation and goes straight into what's changed in 2026, the legal red flags that show up in accurate reports, and the case-specific nuance for U-Visas, T-Visas, VAWA, and waivers.
Is this appropriate for someone newer to immigration evaluations?
This workshop is built for mental health professionals who already have training in immigration evaluations and are actively conducting them, whether that's a handful of cases or hundreds. It goes past the basics of what a report should include and into how language, framing, and structure affect a case's outcome. If you're still building your foundation, our Expert Training in Immigration Evaluations program is the better place to start.
Will this replace my own professional judgment on a case?
No training replaces case-by-case professional judgment, and this workshop isn't a substitute for that. You'll leave with a sharper, more current framework, real report language to model, and a clearer sense of where your own reports might need adjusting.
Why does this training matter right now?
USCIS's scrutiny has shifted again in 2026, and what read as thorough and credible a year ago can now read as a red flag. If you're actively writing these reports, staying current isn't optional, it's part of protecting both your credibility and your client's case.
Is this workshop live, and will I have access to a replay?
Yes to both. The workshop runs live on Zoom, and your registration includes recording access afterward, so you can revisit anything you want to review again.
PsychEvalCoach is committed to providing accessible continuing education programs. This course is delivered fully online. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate, please contact us at info@psychevalcoach.com prior to the course start date so that we may work with you to meet your needs.
Grievance Policy: Participants who have concerns regarding this program may submit a written grievance to info@psychevalcoach.com. All grievances will be reviewed and responded to within 10 business days.