clinical laboratory science / blood…

EB-2 National Interest Waiver — Merits Decision

2025-11-05·DISMISSED·IN RE: 40220223

Underlying petition: DENIED · Service Center Operations (SCOPS)

Legal elements discussed — Matter of Dhanasar

Prong 1 — Substantial Merit & National Importance

PASS

Petitioner argued: The proposed endeavor has national importance because AI forecasting models can help manage U.S. blood supplies on a national level.

Evidence type: evidence that AI forecasting models have outperformed other predictors of blood needs in small populations

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

The Petitioner submitted evidence that AI forecasting models have outperformed other predictors of blood needs in small populations and that they could help to more efficiently manage U.S. blood supplies on a national level.

Decision PDF, p. 4Open source PDF

Prong 2 — Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor

FAIL

Petitioner argued: The Petitioner is well positioned to advance the endeavor due to his expertise, recognition, and role in developing a COVID-19 laboratory.

Evidence type: recommendation letters, educational documents, strategic framework, evidence of statistics courses, role in COVID-19 laboratory

USCIS finding: INSUFFICIENT

the record supports SCOPS' finding of insufficient evidence of his AI knowledge and abilities.

Decision PDF, p. 5Open 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.

This decision turned on whether the person was well-positioned to advance the endeavor. Describe your own work and see which decisions discussed the same issue.

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Questions this raises for your lawyer

  • On Prong 2 (well positioned to advance the endeavor), USCIS found the petitioner's recommendation letters, educational documents, strategic framework, evidence of statistics courses, role in COVID-19 laboratory insufficient to establish that the Petitioner is well positioned to advance the endeavor due to his expertise, recognition, and role in developing a COVID-19 laboratory.. 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?
  • Would additional expert-opinion evidence have changed the outcome here, based on what USCIS said was missing?
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