EB-2 NIWComputer science and AIEmployerDecided January 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JAN222026_03B5203
Merit and national importanceMetWell positionedNot metBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
Senior machine learning engineer proposes research on foundational model disentanglement and interpretability. AAO found the endeavor has substantial merit and national importance but rejected the petition because the petitioner failed to demonstrate she is well-positioned to advance it through sufficient record of success or influence in the field.
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 · AAO agreed that machine learning research on model disentanglement has substantial merit and national importance
What was missing
- Well positioned · Insufficient evidence of record of success or progress; limited citations to published work; coauthorship on papers did not demonstrate individual influence
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Met | AAO agreed that machine learning research on model disentanglement has substantial merit and national importance |
 Well positioned | Not met | Insufficient evidence of record of success or progress; limited citations to published work; coauthorship on papers did not demonstrate individual influence |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached because second prong failed; balance analysis reserved |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.