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EB-2 National Interest Waiver — Merits Decision

2026-02-20·DISMISSED·IN RE: 41495663

Underlying petition: DENIED ·

Legal elements discussed — Matter of Dhanasar

Prong 1 — Substantial Merit & National Importance

FAIL

Petitioner argued: proposed endeavor has national importance

Evidence type: letters of recommendation

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

these comments relating to the Petitioner's past is more appropriately considered under Dhanasar's second prong than it is here under prong one.

Decision PDF, p. 5Open source PDF

Prong 2 — Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor

FAIL

Petitioner argued: well positioned to advance proposed endeavor

Evidence type: letter of intent

USCIS finding: INSUFFICIENT

We consider this a material change to the Petitioner's claims as he had not established eligibility at the time of filing, but sought to remedy the defect with materially different evidence after SCOPS put him on notice.

Decision PDF, p. 6Open 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 letters of recommendation 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 letter of intent insufficient to establish that well positioned to advance 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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