Success Story: NIW Approved Despite an RFE! We Helped A Molecular Cancer Biology Researcher Secure an NIW
Client’s Testimonial:
"I am grateful to chen immigration for their incredible support throughout this journey, especially my Attorneys
From the very beginning, the team demonstrated a deep understanding of both the NIW legal framework and the scientific research landscape.
What impressed me most was their ability to translate complex scientific contributions into a persuasive immigration case. Their attention to detail and ability to present strong supporting evidence were remarkable.
When my case received a Request for Evidence (RFE), Chen Immigration handled the response with professionalism, confidence, and strategic insight. Their guidance throughout the RFE process was thorough and reassuring. ”
On August 19th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Field of Molecular Cancer Biology (Approval Notice).
General Field: Molecular Cancer Biology
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Country of Origin: Nigeria
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: California
Approval Notice Date: August 19th, 2026
Processing Time: 24 months, 11 days (Premium Processing Upgrade Requested)
Case Summary:
Cancer treatment can be complicated by biological differences among tumors and by the ability of cancer cells to resist existing therapies. Addressing these challenges requires research that can reveal why cancers progress and respond differently to treatment. In this context, our client, an expert in molecular cancer biology with a Ph.D. in health biology - oncology, pursued an I-140 EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW). The case received a Request for Evidence (RFE) before ultimately securing approval.
The client's proposed research centers on investigating the biological mechanisms involved in cancer development and treatment resistance, with the broader goal of supporting more targeted and personalized therapeutic approaches. At the time of the petition, the client was conducting research at a U.S. biomedical research institution, where the work involved basic and translational cancer research and the investigation of potential therapeutic targets.
In establishing the national importance of this endeavor, we connected the client's research to the substantial public health and economic burden created by cancer in the United States. We also explained how research into treatment resistance and biological markers can contribute to more effective personalized treatment strategies. The petition further positioned the client's work within biotechnology and related areas recognized as important to U.S. technological leadership.
The client's scholarly record included 19 peer-reviewed journal articles, 4 of them first-authored, which had collectively received 136 citations. No peer-review activity was identified in the petition materials, so we focused instead on the evidence available to demonstrate the client's standing and influence. In particular, one publication ranked among the top 1% most-cited papers in its field and publication year, while another ranked among the top 20%. These comparative measures helped place the raw citation count in context and demonstrated that particular contributions had attracted substantial attention relative to comparable research.
We further strengthened the petition by showing how independent researchers had actually used the client's work. The record documented examples in which other scientists relied on the client's findings to investigate cancer-related biological processes and potential treatment approaches. This downstream use was important because it demonstrated influence through the practical incorporation of the client's findings into subsequent research, rather than asking USCIS to infer significance from publication and citation totals alone.
Following the RFE, the client's I-140 NIW petition was approved. The case brought together the client's advanced education, ongoing cancer research, publication history, comparative citation evidence, and documented influence on independent researchers to demonstrate both a record of meaningful contributions and the capacity to continue advancing research relevant to improved cancer treatment in the United States.