Success Story: From Industrial Engineering to NIW Approval For A Privacy-Preserving Artificial Intelligence Researcher From China
Client’s Testimonial:
"Great work and results! It was a great experience to work with such a professional and responsible team. You have made the process less painful for me, and your expertise really helped to strengthen the case. I really appreciate your professionalism; please keep the good work up!"
On August 5th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for an Applied Scientist in the Field of Privacy-Preserving Artificial Intelligence (Approval Notice).
General Field: Privacy-Preserving Artificial Intelligence
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Scientist
Country of Origin: China
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: California
Approval Notice Date: August 5th, 2026
Processing Time: 7 months, 9 days (Premium Processing Upgrade Requested)
Case Summary:
"What does it take to successfully secure a National Interest Waiver, even after facing a Request for Evidence (RFE)?" In this case, it required demonstrating how specialized expertise in privacy-preserving artificial intelligence (AI) directly safeguards critical U.S. industries and operational data.
North America Immigration Law Group is pleased to celebrate the approval of an I-140 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition for a client holding an M.Sc. in industrial engineering. The petition, which successfully overcame an RFE, demonstrated how the client's objective record of achievement and current employment as an Applied Scientist satisfy the NIW standard by advancing an endeavor of substantial merit and national importance.
Securing Next-Generation Industry Through Trustworthy AI
The client's proposed endeavor centers on developing privacy-preserving AI solutions for manufacturing. The goal of this research is twofold: to protect sensitive data and to enhance the broader reach and adoption of AI technologies.
Rather than simply stating the endeavor's importance, we strategically aligned the client’s work with critical U.S. interests. We demonstrated to the adjudicator that the client’s secure frameworks mitigate vulnerabilities in advanced manufacturing. Furthermore, we emphasized that the client’s research has been supported by funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and aligns with federal priorities in critical and emerging technologies, including cybersecurity, data privacy, and advanced manufacturing. This context was crucial in establishing that the endeavor possesses undeniable national importance.
Contextualizing Objective Metrics for the Adjudicator
A critical element of the petition, particularly useful in addressing the RFE, was proving that the client is well positioned to advance this endeavor through a documented record of independent scientific influence. We presented the following objective indicators:
- 2 peer-reviewed journal articles, including 1 first-authored publication.
- 3 peer-reviewed conference articles, including 2 first-authored publications.
- 108 scholarly citations.
The Result
This approved NIW petition showcased a cohesive narrative connecting the client’s specialized industrial engineering background to the critical need for safe, trustworthy AI in U.S. manufacturing.
We congratulate the client on successfully navigating the RFE to secure this I-140 National Interest Waiver approval and look forward to seeing their continued contributions to the advancement of privacy-preserving artificial intelligence.