Success Stories: Iranian PhD Fellow, Research and Teaching Assistant in the Field of Environmental Engineering Secures NIW Approval and Green Card

Client’s Testimonial:

“Thanks again for your outstanding service throughout the process.”

On March 17^th, 2016, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a PhD Fellow, Research and Teaching Assistant in the Field of Environmental Engineering (Approval Notice).

General Field: Environmental Engineering

Position at the Time of Case Filing: PhD Fellow, Research and Teaching Assistant

Country of Origin: Iran

Service Center: Nebraska Service Center (NSC)

State of Residence at the Time of Filing: California

Approval Notice Date: March 17^th, 2016

Processing Time: 8 months, 22 days

Case Summary:

Last year, a gifted Ph.D. Fellow, Research and Teaching Assistant from Iran hired North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) to help him attain green card success. After evaluating his credentials, we confirmed that we would file his I-140 petition under the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) visa category.

Proving he qualified for the national interest waiver:

In order to obtain an EB-2 NIW petition approval, we had to prove to the USCIS that our client’s findings are of great value to the United States. We did this by carefully accounting for his research in the field of environmental engineering, most notably his work on particulate matter (PM) as a form of air pollution and how to control it. Our diligent efforts enabled us to convince the USCIS that his investigations directly contribute to environmental and public health, and the development of new guidelines for policy makers and growing industries. Additionally, we demonstrated that our client’s research efforts are contributing to the United States’ own environmental science interests, such as what is being focused on by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Besides detailing our client’s work, we also noted the 66 times his findings were cited by other environmental engineers, the 9 publications to his name, and the peer reviews he conducted for two well-known scientific journals. Alongside these details were six recommendation letters contributed by his peers. According to one of these experts: “[Client’s] high caliber research is desperately needed to provide reliable information that informs difficult policy decisions. His background, experience, and skills make him a vital part of the effort to understand air pollution and mitigate its consequences for human health.”

It took the USCIS nearly 9 months to process our client’s EB-2 NIW case. A reason why it took longer than expected is because they issued a Request for Evidence (RFE), which we responded to in a prompt and efficient manner. Because we were able to prove that our client’s credentials are legitimate, the USCIS was persuaded to approve his petition. Less than two months after our client received notification of case approval, we filed an I-485 application on his behalf to adjust his status for permanent residence. He recently received the good news that he is now an American permanent resident, and we congratulate him for accomplishing this massive goal. We thank our client for trusting us to guide him through the complex green card process and we wish him well as he embarks on new beginnings in the United States.

North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) is a U.S. immigration law firm dedicated to representing corporations, research institutions, and individuals from all 50 U.S. states regarding I-140 immigration petitions. We specialize in employment-based immigration petition and have a proven record of high success rate for the categories of: EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver), EB1-A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability), EB1-B (Outstanding Researcher/Professor) and O-1 (Alien of Extraordinary Ability).

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With more than 47,000 EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-2 NIW and O-1 cases approved, we have first hand information on the manner in which the USCIS adjudicate I-140 cases. As the USCIS has constantly changed its adjudication standards for the EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-2 NIW categories, our firm's huge database of successful cases gives you unprecedented insight to USCIS adjudication trends. We carefully analyze the data for all of our cases and apply the results of our analyses toward giving our clients up-to-date advice and adapting our strategies such that we remain on par with the ever-shifting landscape of immigration law in the U.S. With us, you will always have access to important updates, strategies, and information so that you can make the most informed decisions about your case.

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With our exceedingly large number of successful petitions, no matter what credentials you have, no matter your background and field of expertise, no matter your visa status or nationality, chances are we have helped hundreds or even thousands of clients just like you. Our clients are usually impressed with how well we understand their research and work. Our insight and understanding stems from the fact that we have handled many cases with elements similar to yours already, and this helps us devise the best strategies for each individual petition.

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For years, our firm has attracted new clients based solely on word of mouth, recommendations, and the positive collaboration experiences shared with them by their friends and family. We take pride in our reputation and work hard to ensure that we provide a green card application experience that our clients are happy to share with their friends and colleagues. That is how our approved cases grew from 600 in 2013 to over 47,000 in 2023.