What the Last Trump Presidency Taught Me: 10 Lessons for Immigration Evaluators and Therapists

There will be a second Trump presidency.

What does that mean for our clients and our work?

Nobody can say for sure, but it seems that more restrictive immigration policies are almost inevitable. 

We don’t know precisely what that will look like or what programs and clients will be affected.

However, I’ve been doing this work since before the first Trump presidency, and I wanted to share some lessons I learned from that time and how I think those will impact our work in the future.

1. Expect Changes in Client Referrals and Needs

The number of immigration evaluations I completed in 2017 (the first year of the Trump administration) was 4x the number in 2016 (the final year of the Obama administration). By 2018, the number had doubled again.

Clients are likely to pursue any possible form of immigration relief. If they previously felt safe living in the US undocumented and just “keeping their heads down” and going to work, they realize that this may no longer be their best option. They will explore every avenue open to them. If they previously did not apply for something because of the cost, they may save up to pay a lawyer and immigration fees.

Clients on the fence about applying for some type of immigration relief decided to go for it because the risk seemed less than not trying anything. This often involved extreme hardship waivers, and I saw a significant increase in those referrals.

Additionally, as removals ramp up, many individuals will likely need waivers to return to the US legally, and those waivers could likely benefit from evaluations.

It is also possible that an emphasis on removals and expedited processes will result in a decrease in clients as they will barely have enough time to obtain legal representation, let alone a psychological evaluation. 

2. Prepare for Heightened Scrutiny of Our Work 

Under the previous Trump administration, everything was looked over with a fine-tooth comb. Attorneys had to cope with forms being rejected for the smallest inconsistencies, often leading to delays.

For clinicians, this meant evaluations were rejected because they were not from the clients’ ongoing therapist. After the first few times this happened, I updated my template to include a lengthy explanation, which seemed to help. That is just one example. I am sure other changes will make the process more complex, and we will need to keep adapting.

Our credentials may also come under scrutiny.  I’ve already noted increased questioning about my license. To avoid issues, ensure that attorneys have the most up-to-date version of your CV and license.

3. Anticipate Tighter Deadlines and Demands

The future administration will likely increase demands on the system and may impose completion metrics on immigration judges, resulting in more cases being pushed through the system faster. This means we may have shorter deadlines to complete our work. 

Find ways to streamline your processes. If you don’t already have systems in place to write evaluations efficiently, do so now. Some ideas are to use templates, dictate your notes, and have a spreadsheet where you keep track of each case’s progress.

For cases that are heard before an immigration judge, such as asylum and cancellation of removal, there are deadlines by which a lawyer must submit documents (including your evaluations). Right now, immigration judges can and have been lenient about submitting documents later. This may not be possible in the future. Clarify the precise deadline for which something is due and get your reports in on time.

4. Maintain Objectivity and Neutrality in Evaluations 

Immigration evaluations are always most effective when they remain factual and unbiased. This will become even more essential moving forward. If an immigration judge or official feels you are advocating for a client, they will likely give less weight to your evaluation.

Avoid subjective language or an overly sympathetic tone to ensure your reports are seen as objective clinical assessments, not advocacy. Never weigh in on how you believe immigration or a judge should decide a case. Instead, focus on observable facts, assessments, and objective findings in reports. Maintain a neutral tone and emphasize clinical observations and professional conclusions rather than personal opinions.

5. Protect Client Confidentiality and Reinforce Boundaries

Evaluations are not therapy, and we cannot ensure the same level of confidentiality for our clients. When meeting with them, explain this and make sure they clearly understand the limits of confidentiality when preparing an immigration evaluation. 

This is also an excellent time to review and reinforce your confidentiality practices. Talk to your clients about their rights and explain how you will securely handle their personal information. Knowing that we are handling their personal information with care is another way we can help them feel safe and supported during uncertain times.

6. Prepare for Elevated Client Anxiety and Stress

Our clients are already walking through the door with tremendous amounts of worry and stress, and a hostile immigration climate only amplifies their fears. Those with a history of trauma are especially vulnerable to the added stress and negative impacts of impending, restrictive policies.

Take time to educate yourself on complex trauma—its origins, symptoms, and long-term effects. Remain vigilant about the risk of retraumatization while evaluating clients, and strive to create a compassionate and trauma-informed process.

7. Show Empathy and Patience with Stressed Lawyers

Immigration attorneys will be under immense pressure while dealing with frequent policy changes and worried clients. Therefore, approach lawyers with empathy.  Recognize that immigration attorneys have limited time to discuss cases or may need a quick turnaround evaluation.

Be responsive, flexible, and patient.  When necessary, offer clear and concise updates and maintain open communication about timelines and expectations. Anticipate common questions and provide a thorough, organized information update to reduce back-and-forth.

These are simple steps that can help lawyers feel supported and also help strengthen your professional relationships.

8. Stay Current with Evolving Immigration Policies

Immigration regulations change rapidly, especially under administrations with a history of restrictive policies. Stay up to date on immigration policy changes—there will likely be many of them.  There will also be a lot of misinformation out there, so choose trustworthy sources such as the American Immigration Council and The Asylumist.

But remember, we are not lawyers, so we may not fully understand every policy or its impact on our clients. Our clients’ attorneys remain the best resource to clarify the specific questions they need our evaluations to address.

9. Prioritize Self-Care and Emotional Resilience

Whatever your version of self-care is right now, you’re going to need to 10X it.  This is the time to switch from regular ole self-care to radical self-care.

You know that saying about not being able to fill from an empty cup? Well, you need to check your cup for cracks and leaks daily. And when you start to notice the first cracks, take time to repair them. 

This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint, and you’ll need to stay mentally fit to be able to show up for our clients with compassion.

10. Lean on Your Professional Support System 

This will be a difficult and stressful time.  There will be case outcomes that will be incredibly frustrating, and the rapid pace of policy changes will be stressful. You will need a support system that understands your frustrations. If you have none, find them now. You will need them – I promise.

An excellent place to start is our FB group – Immigration Evaluation Therapists, where you can connect with other therapists interested in his work.

Looking at the big picture and reflecting on past experience, it’s clear that the coming years will present significant challenges for us as immigration evaluators and therapists.

But as our clients have taught us, resilience and compassion are powerful forces. We can dig deep, face these challenges, and continue our work with integrity and purpose. We can choose not to respond to hate with more hate but instead channel that energy into compassion and a renewed commitment to helping others.

Much like the clients we serve, it’s not the circumstances that define us but our response to them. By approaching each day with empathy, professionalism, and resilience, we can support our clients through these trying times and grow in our capacity to make a difference.