EB-2 NIWMechanical and aerospace engineeringIndividualDecided January 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JAN202026_02B5203
Merit and national importanceMetWell positionedNot metBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
Aerospace engineer and robotics researcher sought EB-2 with national interest waiver to research autonomous decision-making algorithms. The AAO found the proposed endeavor had substantial merit and national importance but dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to show he was well positioned to advance the research through publications with minimal citations and insufficient evidence of research impact.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
What the AAO accepted
- Merit and national importance · Petitioner demonstrated endeavor has substantial merit and national importance in autonomous robotics and manufacturing optimization.
What was missing
- Well positioned · Petitioner's expertise and publication record insufficient; low citation counts and lack of evidence of research success.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Met | Petitioner demonstrated endeavor has substantial merit and national importance in autonomous robotics and manufacturing optimization. |
 Well positioned | Not met | Petitioner's expertise and publication record insufficient; low citation counts and lack of evidence of research success. |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached due to failure on second prong; treated as alternate independent basis. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.