USCIS Doctors Mental Health and Substance Abuse Evaluation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How is remission from drug addiction assessed in the immigration medical context?
- No current abuse and a documented period of sustained remission, assessed by the civil surgeon or specialist (Correct answer)
- A single negative urine drug screen
- A letter from the applicant's attorney
- Completion of any drug rehabilitation program
Correct answer: No current abuse and a documented period of sustained remission, assessed by the civil surgeon or specialist
Sustained remission from drug addiction is evaluated based on the absence of current use and documented history of recovery, not a single test.
Question 2: Under USCIS immigration law, which of the following would NOT be a Class A mental health condition?
- Generalized anxiety disorder with no history of harmful behavior (Correct answer)
- Schizophrenia with documented history of violent outbursts
- Active methamphetamine addiction
- Bipolar disorder with a recent history of self-harm
Correct answer: Generalized anxiety disorder with no history of harmful behavior
Generalized anxiety disorder without any harmful behavior history does not meet the Class A threshold, which requires a link to harmful behavior.
Question 3: What standard diagnostic manual does USCIS instruct civil surgeons to use when classifying mental disorders?
- DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) (Correct answer)
- ICD-10 only
- WHO Classification of Mental Disorders
- NIMH Diagnostic Guidelines
Correct answer: DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
Civil surgeons are instructed to use DSM criteria when classifying mental disorders for the immigration medical evaluation.
Question 4: What action should a civil surgeon take if an applicant discloses current use of an illegal controlled substance?
- Classify as Class A – Drug Abuse on Form I-693 (Correct answer)
- Counsel the applicant and schedule a follow-up exam
- Report the disclosure to local law enforcement
- Note it as Class B and recommend treatment
Correct answer: Classify as Class A – Drug Abuse on Form I-693
Current drug abuse of a controlled substance is a Class A condition and must be so documented on Form I-693.
Question 5: What is the definition of 'drug addiction' for immigration medical exam purposes?
- A pattern of pathological substance use causing impaired functioning or distress, meeting DSM criteria for substance use disorder (Correct answer)
- Any use of drugs more than once per month
- Physical dependence on any prescription medication
- Use of marijuana in states where it is not legally permitted
Correct answer: A pattern of pathological substance use causing impaired functioning or distress, meeting DSM criteria for substance use disorder
Drug addiction for immigration purposes means a substance use disorder meeting DSM diagnostic criteria, involving pathological use patterns and functional impairment.
Question 6: Which body issues technical instructions guiding civil surgeons on mental health evaluations for immigration?
- CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ) (Correct answer)
- USCIS directly via Form I-693 instructions only
- American Psychiatric Association
- Department of Justice
Correct answer: CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ)
CDC's Division of Global Migration and Quarantine publishes the Technical Instructions that guide civil surgeons on all aspects of the immigration medical exam, including mental health.
USCIS Doctors Mental Health and Substance Abuse Evaluation 2
How is remission from drug addiction assessed in the immigration medical context?