Success Story: I-140 NIW Approval for a Civil Engineering Researcher from Taiwan Advancing Human-Centered Data Science
Client’s Testimonial:
"I am extremely satisfied with your service. I will also recommend your company to my friends who want to apply for a green card.”
On June 9th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Graduate Research Assistant in the Field of Civil Engineering (Approval Notice).
General Field: Civil Engineering
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Graduate Research Assistant
Country of Origin: Taiwan
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Indiana
Approval Notice Date: June 9th, 2026
Processing Time: 18 months, 18 days (Premium Processing Upgrade Requested)
Case Summary:
North America Immigration Law Group is pleased to share the approval of an I-140 National Interest Waiver petition for a civil engineering researcher whose work focuses on using data science methods to strengthen decision-making in human-centered applications, including human-technology interaction and personalization.
At the time of filing, the client, also a M.S. holder, was conducting civil engineering research at a U.S. university, with a focus on human-AI coordination, technology-supported construction safety, work zone intrusion prevention, and personalized feedback systems for high-risk environments. The petition demonstrated the national importance of this work by showing how improved human-machine interaction can support workplace productivity, construction safety, AI trust, infrastructure protection, and technology adoption. It also connected the client’s research to critical and emerging technology areas, including artificial intelligence, advanced sensing, and human-machine interfaces.
The client’s research record included:
- 4 peer-reviewed journal articles, including 1 first-authored journal article
- 4 first-authored peer-reviewed conference articles
- 2 technical reports
- 29 citations to the client’s published work
- At least 2 completed peer reviews
- Research funding from the National Science Foundation and the Indiana Department of Transportation
To demonstrate the client’s significance, the petition presented the client’s publication and citation record, highly cited papers, peer-review service, funded research, expert recommendation letters, and examples of independent reliance on the client’s work. We explained how later researchers had used the client’s findings on trust, human-technology interaction, and automated systems to improve construction collaboration and workflow automation.
The petition also highlighted the client’s research on human-AI collaboration in construction, including trust, communication, safety, mental workload, and inclusivity in worker-AI teaming. It further described the client’s work on highway intrusion technologies, which support safer active work zones and data-driven infrastructure decisions.
Supported by 2 recommendation letters from experts in the field, the petition established that the client was well-positioned to continue advancing human-centered data science in the United States. One recommender noted:
“Given the expertise he has demonstrated within the field of civil engineering, it is clear that he is a leading researcher.”
We congratulate the client on this I-140 NIW approval and look forward to the client’s continued contributions to civil engineering, human-centered data science, and safer technology-supported infrastructure systems in the United States.