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EB-2 NIWLaw, policy, social scienceIndividualDecided February 2026Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed

FEB122026_02B5203

Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot reached / not discussedBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed

Our summary

An attorney with advanced degrees seeks NIW to develop AI legal technology. AAO dismissed appeal, holding that while industry importance aligns with government priorities, petitioner failed demonstrating specific proposed endeavor's prospective impact at national importance level required by Dhanasar.

Official PDF

Official PDF ↗

Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.

No criterion in the table was found met in this decision.

What was missing

  • Merit and national importance · Proposed legal AI endeavor lacks specific prospective impact evidence; relying on industry importance and government initiatives insufficient

Criteria

CriterionReadingWhy
Merit and national importanceNot metProposed legal AI endeavor lacks specific prospective impact evidence; relying on industry importance and government initiatives insufficient
Well positionedNot reached / not discussedFirst prong failure is dispositive; second prong not reached
Balance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussedFirst prong failure is dispositive; third prong not reached

A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.

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