EB-2 NIW Case Study: Workforce Development Expert From Guatemala Approval, No RFE

Although the client had a strong record, the breadth of his background presented a challenge. USCIS needed to see how his degrees and varied roles spanning education, leadership, and technology supported a single, clearly defined endeavor under the EB-2 NIW standard.  

Another hurdle came from the nature of education-based EB-2 NIW cases. The petition had to show that his work addressed a specific national need rather than routine teaching or consulting. The legal team needed to demonstrate that his work was not simply “education,” but a targeted response to a documented national need: expanding access to high-quality upskilling for Spanish-speaking professionals in the United States. 

As Attorney Roshn Vazhel explained, the nuanced difficulty lay in “making sure the officer understood how each part of his background connected to the proposed endeavor,” and ensuring that the model plan drew those connections clearly. The challenge, then, was not whether the client was qualified in terms of background and profile, but how to present his broad experience as the precise foundation for a nationally significant workforce initiative. 

To address the challenge, the legal team organized the client’s background into a clear narrative showing how his training in psychology, business, and information systems equips him to develop accessible learning programs. Rather than treating his three degrees and extensive leadership experience as separate accomplishments, the petition showed how each one uniquely equipped him to advance a U.S. workforce initiative centered on inclusion, accessibility, and educational equity and how all three degrees were necessary for the unique and innovative project he had envisioned. 

His doctoral research informed his approach to adult learning; his MBA supported his experience managing teams and partnerships; and his IT training allowed him to expand programs through digital platforms. Together, these skills supported his proposed expansion of high-quality upskilling opportunities for Spanish-speaking professionals. 

The legal team then positioned his proposed endeavor as a direct response to documented U.S. workforce needs, not only currently, but for future generations as well. The petition connected his proposed work to documented federal efforts to expand workforce training and improve access for Hispanic and Spanish-speaking workers. As Attorney Vazhel emphasized, “A strong background is important, but the proposed endeavor must be clearly articulated and nationally important for an EB-2 NIW case to succeed.” 

Finally, the team bolstered the petition with concrete validation from U.S. institutions expressing interest in collaborating with him, including potential funding support. By combining this external interest with evidence that his programs have already impacted thousands of learners, the EB-2 NIW petition was well supported and unmistakably aligned with U.S. national interests. 

USCIS approved the client’s EB-2 National Interest Waiver without issuing a RFE. The officer approved the petition based on the initial filing, which clearly outlined the client’s background, his proposed endeavor, and the national importance of his work. 

With this approval, the client can now focus on expanding his upskilling initiatives in the United States. His programs will help Spanish-speaking professionals access better training, improve their career prospects, and contribute more fully to the U.S. economy. As Attorney Roshn Vazhel observed, the case is a reminder that a well-prepared EB-2 NIW petition “will still stand on its own once it reaches the officer’s desk.” 

This EB-2 NIW petition stood out because it addressed a clearly documented national need: improving access to high-quality upskilling opportunities for Spanish-speaking professionals in the United States. The client’s approach, a modern, culturally responsive education model, aligned directly with federal priorities, including efforts to expand educational equity for the Hispanic community and to upskill the population of the United States as well. 

Another key strength was how seamlessly the legal team tied the client’s diverse academic and professional background to a single national mission. By showing how each degree supported a different part of his initiative, the petition offered a coherent narrative that was easy for the officer to follow. Strong evidence of impact on learners and letters of interest from U.S. institutions further demonstrated that his work is both feasible and nationally significant. 

With the EB-2 NIW approved, the client can now bring his workforce development initiatives to a broader U.S. audience. His programs will enable Spanish-speaking workers to access flexible, high-quality professional training. 

Beyond individual upskilling, his work supports a stronger, more inclusive economy. By helping workers gain the skills needed for upward mobility, he contributes to national workforce readiness and long-term economic resilience. This approval allows him to expand partnerships, launch new digital learning tools, and continue building programs that reflect the needs of one of the country’s fastest-growing labor groups. His work directly benefits many communities and strengthens the United States as a whole.