Staying Objective: Managing Bias in Immigration Evaluations

Last week, I got an email from a clinician in our community that really made me think. She wrote about struggling with an evaluation she’d just completed – not because of the clinical work itself, but because she was so moved by her client’s story that she worried her report was veering into advocacy territory.

I sat with that email for a while, remembering my early days writing immigration evaluations. That feeling was so familiar. One morning years ago, I was reviewing a draft report I’d written, and I noticed something that made me pause – my language was filled with emotional appeals instead of clinical observations. I’d fallen into exactly what I now warn other clinicians about.

The truth is this work touches our hearts. How could it not? We sit with people while they share some of the most painful moments of their lives. But there’s a delicate balance we need to strike, and it’s something I’ve thought about a lot over the years.

When I first started doing immigration evaluations, I approached them like I did therapy. I wanted to help, to heal, to advocate. It feels natural, right? We’re mental health professionals—helping people is what we do. But I learned (sometimes the hard way) that our role in immigration evaluations is different—not less important, but different.

I remember one particular case that drove this home for me. I was working with a client who was a healthcare worker in the ER in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic while their spouse was at risk of deportation. Thinking about how this person was putting their life at risk to take care of others and then had to go home and worry about whether their loved one would be deported infuriated me. I found myself getting emotionally invested in a way that, honestly, wasn’t serving them or their case. When I got feedback from the attorney about my report being too emotionally charged, it hit me – my job wasn’t to convince anyone of anything. My job was to provide clear, objective clinical observations that the attorney could use to build their case.

That was a turning point for me. It helped me understand that maintaining objectivity doesn’t mean I have to be cold or distant – it’s about being professional in a way that actually helps our clients more effectively.

I know many of you have had these same challenges. Maybe you’ve sat with a client, heard their story, and thought, “How can I stay objective when this moves me so deeply?” Or maybe you’ve caught yourself writing a report and realized you’re trying to persuade rather than document.

If you’re nodding your head right now, know that you’re not alone. This is something we all navigate. The key isn’t to stop caring – it’s to learn how to channel that care into producing thorough, objective, professional evaluations that serve our clients.

Let me share something that has helped me when I write evaluations – I have a post-it note on my desk that says, “Observe, don’t advocate.” It might sound simple, but it helps me stay grounded in my role.

Understanding Our Role (And Why It Matters)

Here’s a story that really brings this home. A few months ago, an attorney called me asking me to evaluate a client after another clinician had already written a report. The evaluation itself was thorough, but the language was so emotionally charged that it actually undermined the client’s case. The judge had questioned the credibility of the entire evaluation because it read more like a plea for help than a clinical assessment.

On the one hand, I could see exactly how it happened. When we hear stories of trauma, separation, and resilience, our hearts naturally want to help. But here’s what I’ve learned: the most powerful way we can help is by providing clear, objective, credible clinical observations that attorneys can use effectively.

Recognizing Our Own Biases (Yes, We All Have Them)

Even after years of doing this work, I still catch myself using subjective words. Recently, I was reviewing an evaluation I’d written a while back and noticed I’d unconsciously used words like “unfortunately” and “sadly.” It was a reminder that staying objective isn’t a destination we reach but a practice we maintain every day.

Let’s talk about some common biases I’ve seen (and personally experienced) in our work:

1. The “I Know This Story” Bias. This happens when you make assumptions based on a client’s country of origin. That’s this bias in action. Each client’s story is unique, even if it sounds similar to others we’ve heard.
2. The “Heart Over Head” Response. This one’s especially tricky because it comes from a good place. When a client shares something particularly painful, we might find ourselves wanting to emphasize their suffering rather than documenting their symptoms objectively.
3. The Cultural Lens Mix-Up. It can be easy to interpret a client’s reserved emotional expression as inconsistent with their reported trauma. But, we have to remember that cultural differences in expressing emotion can influence our clinical observations.

Practical Ways to Stay Objective (That Actually Work)

Over the years, I’ve developed some strategies to help me. They’re not perfect, but they’ve made a difference in my practice:

1. The “Evidence List” Technique Before I write any conclusions in a report, I list all the concrete evidence I have – observable behaviors, test results, and specific examples from the client’s history. If I can’t support a statement with something from this list, it doesn’t go in the report.
2. The “What Would the Judge Ask?” Method. When I’m writing a report, I imagine an immigration judge asking me to justify each conclusion. Can I point to specific clinical evidence? If not, I need to reassess.
3. The Collaboration Check When I’m really feeling stuck, I rely on a small network of other clinicians. When needed, we review each other’s reports (with proper confidentiality measures, of course). Fresh eyes can catch biases we might miss in our own writing.

Writing Objective Reports (While Still Honoring Our Clients’ Stories)

Here are some tips I’ve learned about writing strong, objective reports:

Start With the Facts. You know what I love about facts? They speak for themselves. Instead of writing, “The client suffered terribly,” write, “The client reported experiencing insomnia 5-6 nights per week, with intrusive thoughts that prevent sleep.” See the difference? One tugs at heartstrings, while the other provides clear clinical evidence.

Shift Your Language Keep a list of emotionally charged language that you tend to use and come up with more objective alternatives. For example:

Instead of: “The client’s heartbreaking story clearly shows…” you could write: “The clinical evidence indicates…”

Instead of: “No one should have to endure such horrible trauma…” you can write: “The client reports experiencing the following events…”

The Reality of Challenging Cases

Despite all this advice and guidance, sometimes, certain cases will still shake us. Here’s what helps me in these moments:

1. Take a breath and remember your role. We’re not here to be advocates – we’re here to be thorough, professional clinicians who provide objective, reliable evaluations that help attorneys do their jobs effectively.
2. Focus on the power of objective documentation. Clear, factual observations often tell the story more powerfully than emotional appeals ever could.
3. Remember that maintaining objectivity doesn’t mean you don’t care. In fact, it’s because we care that we need to ensure our evaluations are as credible and professional as possible.

Moving Forward 

You know what makes me hopeful? Seeing how our community of immigration evaluation therapists grows and learns together. Whenever someone posts a question in our Facebook group about these challenges, I see thoughtful responses from clinicians who’ve walked this path.

Remember – this work isn’t easy. If you’re struggling with maintaining objectivity, it means you’re a caring, empathetic clinician. The goal isn’t to stop caring; it’s to channel that care into producing evaluations that truly serve our clients’ needs.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with this. What challenges have you faced in maintaining objectivity? What strategies have helped you? Comment below or join us in the Immigration Evaluation Therapists Facebook group to continue the conversation.

P.S. If you want to deepen your skills in this area, consider joining our next live course. We dive deep into these challenges and work through them together, building the confidence and competence to handle even the most complex cases.