Success Stories: Filed in Time, Approved with Strength: An NIW Story That Balanced Speed and Substance

Case Summary:     

Every immigration journey is unique. Some are straightforward, others strategic. And occasionally, a case becomes a race against policy, paperwork, and time itself. For one Nigerian-born professor and consultant surgeon, the journey to EB-2 NIW approval wasn’t just about professional advancement; it was also a matter of family.

With a child nearing the critical age threshold of 21 under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), the stakes were high. If the I-140 petition wasn’t filed and received by USCIS before that birthday, the child could age out, becoming ineligible for a green card through the parent’s petition. With this in mind, we acted fast.

Though our standard approach emphasizes fully built petitions before submission, this case required flexibility. We submitted a condensed, 1-page petition letter to get the I-140 on file as quickly as possible. We were fully aware this could trigger a Request for Evidence (RFE)—and it did. But we had a plan. Once the initial filing secured the necessary timestamp to preserve CSPA eligibility, we shifted gears to prepare an expansive and well-supported response to the RFE.

The petitioner’s field? Clinical research and teaching. With decades of experience as both a professor and consultant surgeon, he had dedicated his career to investigating disparities in cancer care, pioneering genomic testing protocols, and strengthening health systems in underserved communities. His work focuses on harnessing next-generation sequencing and molecular tumor profiling to improve early cancer detection and develop targeted therapies, especially for populations historically underrepresented in precision medicine initiatives.

With 55 peer-reviewed publications and over 680 citations—95% of which were from independent researchers—his contributions are both wide-reaching and deeply influential. He has completed at least 12 peer reviews for journals including the West African Journal of Medicine and the Hong Kong Medical Journal. Funding for his work has come from highly competitive sources, including the NIH’s Fogarty International Center and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

One expert letter captured the weight of his contributions:

“[Client’s] research is integral for producing ancestry-informed insights that inform equitable, precision-based cancer therapies. His work addresses a known gap in global oncology: the limited representation of individuals of African descent in genomic datasets.”

That statement was more than praise—it helped us clearly articulate national interest. His work supports U.S. public health goals, responds to the White House Cancer Moonshot initiative, and addresses systemic inequities in medical research and care. With breast, colorectal, and ovarian cancers disproportionately affecting certain populations, his research isn’t just timely—it’s essential.

The RFE, though anticipated, gave us the chance to present a fuller picture. We detailed his leadership, his track record, and his future vision: advancing genomic studies of triple-negative breast cancer, single-cell RNA sequencing in colorectal cancer, and population-specific cancer genomics research in underserved communities.

USCIS agreed. His EB-2 NIW petition was approved in June 2025.

This case exemplifies what can be achieved through precision, planning, and adaptability. It also reminds us that immigration law is not just about forms and statutes—it’s about people, families, and futures.

At NAILG, we’re honored to have helped this scholar not only gain NIW approval but also take vital steps to protect his child’s eligibility under CSPA. It’s a success story rooted in strategy and guided by purpose.