Success Stories: Transforming Access: Higher Education PhD Student Secured NIW with NAILG’s Guidance

Client’s Testimonial:

“Thank you again for your excellent support throughout my I-140 petition process. I’m truly grateful for your expertise and professionalism, which contributed greatly to the success of my case.”

On April 24^th, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a PhD Student in the Field of Higher Education (Approval Notice).

General Field: Higher Education

Position at the Time of Case Filing: PhD Student

State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Illinois

Approval Notice Date: April 24^th, 2025

Processing Time: 1 year, 4 months, 6 days

Case Summary:

We are proud to share the National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition approval of an accomplished scholar in the field of higher education finance and equity. With the guidance and representation of the North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG), his petition was approved without a Request for Evidence (RFE), a testament to both the strength of his contributions and the strategic case presentation prepared by our legal team.

Our client’s proposed endeavor centers on continuing his impactful research on economic and financial issues in higher education. His goal is to identify and address systemic inequities, reduce students’ financial barriers, and inform more equitable and effective finance policies in higher education. His work is not only critical to the United States but also serves as a valuable international benchmark, informing global strategies for reducing economic barriers to education.

To date, he has published 6 peer-reviewed journal articles (including 2 as first author), 3 abstracts (2 first-authored), and 7 first-authored preprints. His growing body of work has already garnered 23 citations, indicating its relevance in academic and policy-making circles. His research has received funding from prestigious institutions such as The Joyce Foundation and the Spencer Foundation – clear evidence of its societal value and merit.

Beyond publications, he is actively engaged in the scholarly community. He has completed at least 45 peer reviews for international journals, served as a session chair at academic conferences, and currently holds the position of Regional Editor for a reputable journal in his field. These roles highlight his leadership and his reputation as a recognized expert in education research.

A compelling letter of recommendation included in our client’s petition captures the transformative potential of his research:

“[Client]’s research on direct admissions is thus invaluable due to its exploration of the critical issues within higher education, particularly the existing disparities resulting from traditional admissions processes. The benefits of his research are multifold, as it offers a transformative approach to higher education and promotes fairness, transparency, and inclusivity. By dismantling existing barriers, [client] contributes significantly to the creation of a level playing field where all individuals have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education.”

We congratulate our client on this significant milestone. His approval exemplifies how impactful, equity-driven research in higher education can meet the rigorous NIW criteria. We at NAILG are honored to have played a role in securing this well-deserved outcome.

North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) is a U.S. immigration law firm dedicated to representing corporations, research institutions, and individuals from all 50 U.S. states regarding I-140 immigration petitions. We specialize in employment-based immigration petition and have a proven record of high success rate for the categories of: EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver), EB1-A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability), EB1-B (Outstanding Researcher/Professor) and O-1 (Alien of Extraordinary Ability).

Our Ten Thousand I-140 Approvals Provide Unprecedented Insight into the USCIS Adjudication Trend

With more than 58,000 EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-2 NIW and O-1 cases approved, we have first hand information on the manner in which the USCIS adjudicate I-140 cases. As the USCIS has constantly changed its adjudication standards for the EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-2 NIW categories, our firm's huge database of successful cases gives you unprecedented insight to USCIS adjudication trends. We carefully analyze the data for all of our cases and apply the results of our analyses toward giving our clients up-to-date advice and adapting our strategies such that we remain on par with the ever-shifting landscape of immigration law in the U.S. With us, you will always have access to important updates, strategies, and information so that you can make the most informed decisions about your case.

We Have Helped Hundreds and Thousands of Clients with Credentials and Backgrounds Similar to Yours

With our exceedingly large number of successful petitions, no matter what credentials you have, no matter your background and field of expertise, no matter your visa status or nationality, chances are we have helped hundreds or even thousands of clients just like you. Our clients are usually impressed with how well we understand their research and work. Our insight and understanding stems from the fact that we have handled many cases with elements similar to yours already, and this helps us devise the best strategies for each individual petition.

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For years, our firm has attracted new clients based solely on word of mouth, recommendations, and the positive collaboration experiences shared with them by their friends and family. We take pride in our reputation and work hard to ensure that we provide a green card application experience that our clients are happy to share with their friends and colleagues. That is how our cumulative total of approved cases grew from 600 in 2013 to over 58,000 in 2025.