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- Title
Caring for Refugees with Mental Health Problems: Difficulties Encountered by Providers Requesting Exemptions from United States Citizenship Examinations.
- Authors
Baird, Kyle; Lintz, Mario; Schlander, Daniella; Yager, Joel; Savin, Daniel
- Abstract
Mental health providers caring for refugees should be aware that obtaining citizenship is critical to stability and safety for their patients. In the United States (U.S.), obtaining citizenship requires applicants to pass an examination exhibiting working knowledge of English and foundational knowledge of U.S. civics. For refugees with mental health disorders that impair cognition, this may present insurmountable barriers. The United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers form N-648 to request exemption from these requirements. However, the form can be difficult to complete in a manner acceptable to USCIS. In this paper, the authors present preliminary data on citizenship-related mental health evaluations and subsequent applications for 40 patients seen in a university-based refugee mental health clinic. We simplify the process into three phases, and present three cases highlighting specific complexities involved. Our experiences and recommendations may help other mental health providers prepare to advocate for their refugee patients.
- Subjects
RUSSIA; IRAQ; UNITED States; MENTAL illness treatment; COMPETENCY assessment (Law); COGNITION disorders treatment; CITIZENSHIP; TREATMENT of post-traumatic stress disorder; UNITED States citizenship; MENTAL health personnel; PSYCHOLOGY of refugees; HOME care services; ACTIVITIES of daily living; NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL tests; PSYCHOSOCIAL factors; MENTAL depression; SLEEP apnea syndromes; ENGLISH as a foreign language; COGNITIVE testing; CIVIL rights; MEDICAL care of poor people; PSYCHIATRIC treatment
- Publication
Journal of Health Care for the Poor & Underserved, 2023, Vol 34, Issue 4, p1466
- ISSN
1049-2089
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1353/hpu.2023.a912730