EB-2 NIW Case Study: Canadian Physicist Approval, No RFE

The hardest part of this case was translating a very technical background (ultrafast microscopy, planetary analog work, machine learning applications, and advanced physics) into a story that clearly connects to U.S. priorities.

Ms. Daher focused the petition on three essential questions that are critical in EB-2 NIW cases. First, she identified the core problem the Petitioner is addressing: the need to cultivate and prepare a highly skilled space-science workforce capable of leading next-generation deep-space missions. Second, she demonstrated why the Petitioner’s expertise is crucial, highlighting his unique combination of physics training, robotics mission experience, and innovative educational work, which together fill a critical gap in the STEM and aerospace workforce pipeline. Finally, she showed how the proposed endeavor aligns with the national interest, emphasizing that his project directly supports NASA’s Strategic Plan, the Artemis Program, the U.S. Space Priorities Framework, and the National Space Policy.

As Ms. Daher noted, “the key was showing how every piece of his technical background fits into a much larger national workforce problem. Clarifying that connection greatly strengthened the case.”

By anchoring the case in national workforce needs rather than abstract research, the Petitioner was able to demonstrate that his work has immediate relevance to the United States.

A major strategic effort in the petition centered on establishing that a workforce-development initiative holds as much national value as scientific research. This required clearly articulating how the nation’s deep-space objectives depend strongly on the availability of a highly trained technical workforce.

The filing emphasized that workforce development is foundational to every U.S. deep-space initiative, as lunar landings, Mars missions, and AI-driven space technologies cannot advance without qualified scientists, engineers, and mission-support specialists. To address this critical gap, our client’s program integrated physics-based training, AI and machine-learning tools, robotics and augmented-reality simulations, space-mission analog scenarios, and hands-on modules aligned with NASA and commercial-space standards.

Recommendation letters highlighted that his program was feasible, timely, and urgently needed. Evidence from industry forecasts, federal policy documents, and NASA workforce reports underscored the increasing demand for skilled space-science professionals.

The case was approved without a Request for Evidence, a strong indication that USCIS found the arguments clear, well-supported, and directly aligned with national priorities. With this approval, our client is now positioned to bring his deep-space workforce training program to the United States, where it can contribute to mission readiness for Artemis, Moon-to-Mars initiatives, and commercial-space expansion. The approval represents a significant milestone for our client and a meaningful step toward strengthening the United States’ capacity to train the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers who will lead future missions beyond Earth.

This EB-2 NIW case succeeded because our legal team linked the client’s highly technical scientific background to strengthening the U.S. space workforce through advanced training and leadership development for deep-space missions. The strategy focused on demonstrating impact, not just in academic terms, but in the real-world workforce pipeline that underpins U.S. space leadership. Ultimately, as Ms. Daher emphasized, the case prevailed because it showed that “building the deep-space workforce is not a future issue, it’s a present necessity, and our client was uniquely equipped to lead that effort.”