Success Stories: NIW Petition Approved in 3.5 Months for Iranian Environmental Engineering Expert in New Jersey (based on Matter of Dhanasar)
Client’s Testimonial:
“I am writing to express my deep gratitude for your time and consideration. I would like to thank you for all the support you have given to me.”
On July 1st, 2017, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Petitioner in the Field of Environmental Engineering (Approval Notice).
General Field: Environmental Engineering
Country of Origin: Iran
Service Center: Texas Service Center (TSC)
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: New Jersey
Approval Notice Date: July 1st, 2017
Processing Time: 3 months, 18 days
Case Summary:
Just 3 months and 18 days after North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) filed an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition on behalf of an environmental engineering expert from Iran, the USCIS approved her case. We are pleased that her case was adjudicated so quickly—it usually takes between 4-9 months for action to be taken on I-140 petitions.
As our client’s petition was approved after December 27th, 2016, it was adjudicated based on the Matter of Dhanasar. This framework establishes that the USCIS may now grant a National Interest Waiver if the petitioner demonstrates:
- The foreign national’s proposed endeavor have both substantial merit and national importance;
- The foreign national is well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor;
- On balance, it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements
What did our client’s NIW petition packet contain?
To prove that she met the three requirements mentioned above, we gathered a wealth of information pertaining to her educational and professional background. For instance, we noted her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and research on developing enhanced electrochemical groundwater remediation systems to remove trichloroethylene (TCE) and other toxic mixture of contaminants that are commonly found in superfund sites. We also listed the 47 times her 9 publications were cited by other researchers. Additionally, we included six recommendation letters volunteered by other influential environmental engineers. According to one of them: “… [Client’s] work can certainly be expected to continue to influence environmental engineering research in the future.”
In a nutshell, we convinced the USCIS that our client’s research results have directly contributed to groundwater remediation efforts to improve water quality and environmental health. Additionally, we proved that she is contributing to the United States’ environmental protection efforts as well as the public health of the nation. We congratulate her for obtaining the national interest waiver, and we join her as she waits for the USCIS to take action on her I-485 application. Once approved, she will become an American permanent resident.