Outcome: Dismissed
JAN212026_01B5203
Our summary
A senior research scientist with a PhD sought national interest waiver for EB-2 classification in artificial intelligence and privacy technology. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed research lacked demonstrated national importance under Dhanasar's first prong despite the field's merit and importance.
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 · Research in privacy-enhancing technology lacks demonstrated national or global impact; confined to proposed individual activities
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Not met | Research in privacy-enhancing technology lacks demonstrated national or global impact; confined to proposed individual activities | |
| Not reached / not discussed | First prong failure is dispositive; second prong not reached | |
| Not reached / not discussed | First 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.
