Case Summary:     

We are excited to share the successful approval of a National Interest Waiver petition for a Chinese teaching and research assistant advancing machine-learning-based defenses for next-generation networks. The client’s research targets the growing challenge of malicious cyber activities across web infrastructure and Internet of Things devices, contributing directly to national cybersecurity and public safety.

Pioneering Cybersecurity for Emerging Threats

The petitioner’s proposed endeavor centers on developing machine learning systems capable of detecting and mitigating network attacks. His research includes designing defense architectures to secure wireless and IoT communications and identifying threat patterns. These innovations directly respond to the growing cyber risks threatening U.S. infrastructure.

Research Profile and Recognition

The client has authored 5 peer-reviewed conference papers and 1 preprint, including first- and co-first-authored works published in respected venues such as the IEEE International Conference on Communications and the ACM Conference on Wireless and Mobile Security. His work has been cited 25 times and has earned placement in the top 10% and top 20% most cited papers in computer science for the years of publication. The client has also served as a peer reviewer for a respected cybersecurity conference.

Support from Independent Experts

To strengthen the petition, we submitted detailed letters from independent experts in cybersecurity and wireless systems research. These scholars, with no prior affiliation to the petitioner, reviewed his work objectively and emphasized its relevance to U.S. national interests. Their endorsements highlighted the originality, applicability, and urgency of the petitioner’s contributions to protecting emerging network infrastructures.

Demonstrating National Importance

In our petition, we highlighted the client’s focus on critical infrastructure protection, including detecting adversarial threats in networks and advancing secure protocols for IoT systems. These efforts are aligned with recognized federal priorities and have received funding support from agencies such as the National Science Foundation. Independent experts confirmed the significance and originality of the petitioner’s work.

Overcoming an RFE with Strategic Evidence

After USCIS issued an RFE requesting clarification on the national importance of the client’s research, our legal team responded with compelling evidence linking the petitioner’s work to U.S. cybersecurity goals and federal technology priorities. The case was swiftly approved following the submission of additional documentation.

Driving Future Innovation in Network Security

With this approval, the petitioner is now well-positioned to continue expanding cybersecurity methodologies in both academic and industry settings. His work enhances the ability of U.S. networks to withstand cyber threats and supports the advancement of privacy-enhancing technologies and secure data transmission systems.

A Strong Outcome from a Well-Built Case

Filed in September 2024 and approved in June 2025, this NIW petition succeeded after an upgrade to premium processing and an expertly crafted RFE response. We are proud to support dedicated researchers who protect U.S. technological infrastructure through cutting-edge innovation in cybersecurity.