Case Summary:    

The North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) is delighted to announce the successful approval of an I-140 petition for an Alien of Extraordinary Ability (EB-1A) for a highly accomplished expert in geophysics, even after an initial Request for Evidence (RFE). Filed in June 2024 and upgraded to premium processing after filing, the petition received a favorable decision in June 2025, recognizing the client’s exceptional and globally significant contributions to their field.

Our client, holding a Ph.D. in earth and planetary sciences, is an established expert in geophysics, specializing in earthquake seismology, earthquake early warning systems, and machine learning applications in seismology. Their proposed endeavor involves continuing cutting-edge research to enhance seismic observational techniques, improve earthquake early warning capabilities, and deepen the understanding of large earthquake physics. This vital work directly contributes to public safety, disaster preparedness, and the advancement of scientific knowledge in a field critical to regions susceptible to seismic activity. The client is currently employed as a geophysicist at a leading energy technology company.

To demonstrate the client’s sustained national or international acclaim and their position at the very top of their field, our legal team presented comprehensive evidence, highlighting:

● Extensive Publication Record: The client has documented their significant findings in 14 peer-reviewed journal articles, with 10 of these as first-authored contributions. Their work has appeared in highly prestigious journals, demonstrating publication in top-tier venues.

● Profound Research Influence: Their work has been cited an impressive 220 times, according to Google Scholar. This high citation count, coupled with their ranking among the top 1% most highly cited authors in geophysical survey and an h-index of 10 (placing them in the top 4% of authors in machine learning), underscores the widespread recognition and reliance on their research by other scholars globally.

● Active Peer Reviewer: The client has conducted at least 30 reviews for prominent journals, demonstrating their recognized expertise and integral role in evaluating the work of their peers.

● Original Scientific Contributions: The petition highlighted the client’s major original contributions, including groundbreaking research on the co-seismic radiation and stress drop during major megathrust earthquakes, advancements in high-resolution seismic imaging techniques, and innovative contributions to earthquake early warning systems using Source Time Function (STF) and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) data.

● Prestigious Funding Support: Their research has received funding from esteemed organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, further validating the critical importance and impact of their work.

The petition was strongly supported by 4 letters of recommendation from internationally renowned experts in geophysics. These letters unequivocally affirmed the client’s extraordinary ability and the significant impact of their contributions to the field.

“[Client’s] skillset is irreplaceable, given its immense benefits to earthquake hazard research, prevention, and response. It is imperative that he be allowed to carry out his research uninterrupted so that the United States is able to benefit fully from its value.”

Through a meticulously prepared petition that comprehensively addressed the RFE and showcased their consistent record of success and influence, NAILG successfully demonstrated that our client meets the stringent criteria for an EB-1A classification. This approval is a testament to the client’s exceptional talent and their vital role in advancing critical areas of geophysics that substantially benefit the United States by enhancing earthquake understanding, monitoring, and preparedness.