aging services management

EB-2 National Interest Waiver — Merits Decision

2026-01-13·DISMISSED·IN RE: 40765688

Underlying petition: DENIED · Service Center Operations

Legal elements discussed — Matter of Dhanasar

Prong 1 — Substantial Merit & National Importance

FAIL

Petitioner argued: proposed endeavor has national importance

Evidence type: journal articles, recommendation letters, media coverage

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

the record lacks adequate evidence showing that the Petitioner will offer new methodologies or innovations to advance the elder care management through her endeavor, or that it otherwise will have wider implications in her field.

Decision PDF, p. 3Open source PDF

Prong 2 — Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor

FAIL

Petitioner argued: well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Evidence type: education, internships, employment, recommendation letters, publications

USCIS finding: INSUFFICIENT

the record does not sufficiently demonstrate her skills, knowledge, and a record of success.

Decision PDF, p. 4Open source PDF

Prong 3 — Balancing the Waiver's Benefits

NOT_DISCUSSED

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

  • On Prong 1 (substantial merit & national importance), USCIS found the petitioner's journal articles, recommendation letters, media coverage insufficient to establish that proposed endeavor has national importance. What would make comparable evidence in my own case more persuasive?
  • On Prong 2 (well positioned to advance the endeavor), USCIS found the petitioner's education, internships, employment, recommendation letters, publications insufficient to establish that well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor. What would make comparable evidence in my own case more persuasive?
  • What in my own case most resembles the specific facts USCIS focused on in this decision?
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