Caring for Refugees with Mental Health Problems: Difficulties Encountered by Providers Requesting Exemptions from United States Citizenship Examinations

IF 1.2 4区医学 Q4 HEALTH POLICY & SERVICES

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved Pub Date : 2023-11-01 DOI:10.1353/hpu.2023.a912730

Kyle Baird, Mario Lintz, Daniella Schlander, Joel Yager, Daniel Savin

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

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.

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照顾有心理健康问题的难民：申请豁免美国公民资格考试的医疗服务提供者所遇到的困难

摘要:照顾难民的心理健康服务提供者应该意识到，获得公民身份对病人的稳定和安全至关重要。在美国，获得公民身份要求申请人通过考试，证明其具备英语工作知识和美国公民基础知识。对于患有精神疾病、认知能力受损的难民来说，这可能是难以逾越的障碍。美国海关和移民服务局（USCIS）提供 N-648 表格，用于申请豁免这些要求。然而，要以美国移民局可以接受的方式填写该表格可能比较困难。在本文中，作者提供了在一所大学的难民心理健康诊所就诊的 40 名患者的公民身份相关心理健康评估和后续申请的初步数据。我们将这一过程简化为三个阶段，并介绍了三个案例，突出了其中的具体复杂性。我们的经验和建议可以帮助其他心理健康服务提供者为难民患者的权益辩护做好准备。

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来源期刊

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved Multiple-

CiteScore

2.00

自引率

7.10%

发文量

154

期刊介绍： The journal has as its goal the dissemination of information on the health of, and health care for, low income and other medically underserved communities to health care practitioners, policy makers, and community leaders who are in a position to effect meaningful change. Issues dealt with include access to, quality of, and cost of health care.