Case Summary:

Not every immigration case begins with a polished dossier or a fully loaded petition packet. In some situations, strategy takes precedence over presentation, especially when a child’s eligibility under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) hangs in the balance. Such was the case for one Libyan-born researcher, whose recent EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) approval reflects not only professional merit but also legal precision executed under pressure.

Filing with Intent: When Timing Is the Priority

This case did not follow a conventional course. The primary goal at the time of filing was to protect the petitioner’s child from aging out of eligibility under CSPA. With the child nearing their 21st birthday and visa retrogression affecting the EB-2 ROW category, our legal team advised pursuing what is referred to as a “barebone NIW” strategy.

Instead of waiting to compile a full petition with recommendation letters and voluminous documentation, the petitioner submitted a minimally constructed I-140 filing—consisting of a one-page petition letter, résumé, degree certificates, employment plan, and citation profile—just in time to meet critical CSPA protection deadlines.

While this approach practically ensured the issuance of a Request for Evidence (RFE), it also extended the pending period of the I-140. That pending period would later serve as a crucial offset in calculating the child’s CSPA-adjusted age, increasing the chance the child might remain eligible to immigrate as a dependent.

Unfolding the Case After RFE

Once the RFE was received, the full scope of the petitioner’s accomplishments was brought forward. The client, a mechanical engineer by training, works at the intersection of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and renewable energy applications. His research uses sophisticated lattice Boltzmann methods to simulate non-Newtonian flows, essential for applications ranging from microfluidics to biomedical device design.

The RFE response emphasized his notable publication record, 46 citations, multiple peer-reviewed articles, and involvement in over a dozen scholarly reviews. Furthermore, the response clarified how his work contributes significantly to national interests in areas like biomedical manufacturing and sustainable design optimization.

Endorsements and Impact

The recommendation letters submitted in the RFE response amplified his recognition. One external recommender, unaffiliated with the petitioner, wrote:

“His computational frameworks are both innovative and replicable, making them valuable tools in research environments dealing with complex thermodynamic systems. Our lab has incorporated several of his algorithmic adaptations.”

These attestations reinforced that the petitioner is not only creating knowledge but also enabling others to build upon it.

Recognition of National Importance

The legal team meticulously demonstrated how the petitioner’s ongoing work aligned with the three-prong Dhanasar framework. His endeavor holds substantial merit and national importance due to its utility in cutting-edge sectors. Moreover, given the petitioner’s clear record of independent contributions and future commitment to publishing in high-impact venues, the case met the criteria for waiver of the labor certification requirement.

A Calculated Win

The petition was approved on May 9, 2025, closing a chapter marked by strategic restraint and timely responsiveness. This outcome demonstrates that, under complex conditions like CSPA-related age-out risks, a lean initial filing paired with a robust RFE response can serve as a powerful path forward.

Although the simplified I-140 filing does not guarantee CSPA protection—because immigrant visa availability and USCIS discretion remain variable—the approach provided the family with the best chance of success under constrained circumstances. It was a careful balance of immigration timing, legal strategy, and scientific credibility.

Today, the petitioner continues to advance CFD research in the U.S., while the family enjoys the relief of knowing they pursued every viable path to stay together.