Success Story: Our Firm Assisted A Research Assistant In Securing An NIW Success Without RFE
Client’s Testimonial:
"I am excited about it; this is a significant step towards living in the U.S., and I again appreciate your help.”
On April 18th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Research Assistant in the Field of Software Security and Machine Learning (Approval Notice).
General Field: Software Security and Machine Learning
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Research Assistant
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: North Carolina
Approval Notice Date: April 18th, 2026
Processing Time: 2 months, 20 days (Premium Processing Upgrade Requested)
Case Summary:
We were pleased to secure an I-140 NIW approval for our client, an M.S. in electrical engineering whose work sits at the intersection of software security and machine learning. As presented in the petition, the client’s proposed endeavor was to continue research on conducting side-channel vulnerability tests and developing cyber-defense methodologies for post-quantum encryption algorithms. This work aims to safeguard national security and prevent data leakage in mission-critical systems. We explained that this proposed work carried clear substantial merit and national importance because it addressed emerging quantum-related cybersecurity threats, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the broader national interest in maintaining secure digital systems.
Research Leadership and National Impact
In preparing this I-140 NIW case, we did not present the client’s record as though raw numbers alone should carry the petition. Instead, we showed how the evidence would matter to an adjudicator evaluating whether the client was well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor. The client had documented results of his work in 1 peer-reviewed conference article, 1 accepted first-authored conference article, 1 abstract, and 1 first-authored preprint. Because publication norms in computer science differ from those in many other disciplines, the petition also clarified why conference-based scholarship can be especially meaningful in this field.
We further highlighted that the client’s published work had received 17 citations. That figure was not framed as automatically sufficient. Rather, it was used as evidence that other researchers had already begun relying on the client’s methods and findings, including work related to wearable technology, privacy-aware machine learning, and post-quantum cryptographic security. We also pointed to concrete examples of follow-on use by other researchers, which helped translate the citation count into a stronger showing of independent reliance and practical influence.
Another important part of the case was the client’s research support. The petition showed that this work had been supported with funding from the National Science Foundation, which helped reinforce that the research was not only technically sophisticated but also aligned with nationally important priorities. In the NIW context, this kind of support can help show that the proposed endeavor has already attracted confidence from institutions that fund work intended to advance public and national interests.
Expert Endorsements
The case also included 1 recommendation letter from an expert familiar with the client’s work. This letter helped confirm the significance of the client’s contributions, explain the relevance of the proposed endeavor, and support the argument that the client was well-positioned to continue advancing this research in the United States. The expert noted:
“As a result, his research strengthens U.S. cybersecurity infrastructure while simultaneously advancing healthcare technologies, thereby ensuring both national security and population health are protected.”
NIW Approval and Outlook
This approval reflected a focused NIW presentation built around the client’s advanced degree, a timely and nationally important proposed endeavor, a developing but meaningful publication and citation record, NSF-supported research, and expert evidence confirming the value of his work. We are delighted to see this I-140 NIW petition approved and look forward to the client’s continued contributions to post-quantum cybersecurity research in the United States.