computer science

EB-2 National Interest Waiver — Merits Decision

2026-01-28·REMANDED·IN RE: 40705056

Underlying petition: DENIED ·

Legal elements discussed — Matter of Dhanasar

Prong 1 — Substantial Merit & National Importance

NOT_DISCUSSED

Petitioner argued: proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance

Evidence type: support letters, government materials, articles, publication and citation record

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) finding: NOT_DISCUSSED

we agree that SCOPS' denial decision does not include sufficient analysis as to whether the Petitioner's proposed endeavor has substantial merit or national importance.

Decision PDF, p. 3Open source PDF

Prong 2 — Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor

NOT_DISCUSSED

Petitioner argued: well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Evidence type: not specified

USCIS finding: NOT_DISCUSSED

SCOPS should correct this error and clearly indicate its determination as to whether or not the Petitioner is well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Decision PDF, p. 3Open source PDF

Prong 3 — Balancing the Waiver's Benefits

NOT_DISCUSSED

Petitioner argued: on balance, waiver would benefit the United States

Evidence type: not specified

USCIS finding: NOT_DISCUSSED

The Director should also fully analyze the third prong of Dhanasar, as necessary, based on their determinations with respect to the first and second prongs discussed above

Decision PDF, p. 3Open source PDF

What this decision can’t tell you

This decision comes from a case that was denied and then appealed. Every case here is in that position — it cannot be used to estimate an overall approval rate, and it cannot predict the outcome of any individual case, including yours. USCIS officers exercise discretion on facts that are never fully captured in a written decision.

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Questions this raises for your lawyer

  • This decision was resolved before reaching the Dhanasar merits analysis. What does my case need to establish first — the underlying EB-2 classification itself — before the national-interest question is even reached?
  • What in my own case most resembles the specific facts USCIS focused on in this decision?
  • Would additional expert-opinion evidence have changed the outcome here, based on what USCIS said was missing?
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