EB-2 NIWCivil and environmental engineeringIndividualDecided January 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JAN052026_03B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot reached / not discussedBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
Transportation engineer with PhD in civil engineering claims national interest waiver for EB-2 advanced degree category. Proposed work involves predicting traffic accidents and implementing solutions. AAO found endeavor has substantial merit but lacks sufficient evidence of national importance and prospective impact; importance of the industry alone does not establish national importance of the specific endeavor.
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 endeavor to predict traffic accidents has substantial merit but lacks sufficient evidence of national importance and prospective impact on the field.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | Proposed endeavor to predict traffic accidents has substantial merit but lacks sufficient evidence of national importance and prospective impact on the field. |
 Well positioned | Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; remaining prongs not reached per Bagamasbad doctrine. |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; remaining prongs not reached per Bagamasbad doctrine. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.