EB-2 NIW Case Study: Air Quality Chemist From Colombia Approval, No RFE

Our client’s work centered on designing advanced sensor technology to identify harmful compounds in the air; an endeavor rooted in complex chemistry and engineering. The science behind it was dense, filled with technical language that only specialists could easily understand.  

Attorney Labreque and his team knew that if the petition read like a scientific journal, the message would be buried under the details. “If it takes a panel of experts to understand the work, the case risks being overlooked,” he explained. The next step was figuring out how to take the language of chemistry and turn it into a narrative of national importance. 

Attorney Labreque approached the case by assessing the client’s research with one question: What problem does this work solve for the United States? From there, he built the story around a strategy he called the “problem–solution method.”  

He spoke at length with the client to understand where existing sensor technologies fell short, and how the client identified the key issue and addressed it by developing smarter, more precise sensors capable of detecting volatile organic compounds in real time. 

Attorney Labreque refined dense chemical descriptions into clear explanations that supported a larger idea: how improved air quality protects public health and supports critical national priorities. He also highlighted our client’s academic depth, professional record, and real-world impact, building a bridge between science and everyday relevance.  That clear, structured narrative formed the basis of a petition that spoke confidently and directly to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer.  

The petition was approved without a Request for Evidence (RFE). Attorney Labreque expressed that clarity about the significance of the work is especially important in highly scientific cases. “If the officer can clearly see why the work matters, the sciencespeaks for itself,” he said. That focus on simplicity and purpose allowed the petition to succeed, demonstrating that even the most technical endeavors can be understood and appreciated, when framed with precision.  

A Focus on Clarity Over Complexity: Attorney Labreque eliminated confusion and showed the direct public health benefit of the client’s work. 

A Strong Problem–Solution Structure: The petition clearly identified the shortcomings of current air-quality sensors, poor accuracy and sensitivity, and highlighted that the client’s research is the practical answer to those gaps, aligning it with U.S. priorities in air pollution mitigation and environmental health. 

Alignment With U.S. Environmental and Public Health Priorities: The petition showed how advanced volatile compounds detection supports federal efforts to improve national air quality, strengthen pollution monitoring, and reduce long-term exposure to toxic compounds. These goals reflect major priorities of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including improved Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) control, expanded monitoring, and protection of vulnerable communities.