Success Stories: Redesigning for Equity: NAILG Secures EB-2 NIW Approval for Human-Centered Design Innovator in Healthcare Technology
Client’s Testimonial:
“Thank you so much for your support throughout this process. I’m truly grateful for your expertise, responsiveness, and guidance every step of the way; it made a huge difference and helped make this success possible. I’m thrilled that I’ve received the I-140 NIW approval, and I couldn’t have done it without your help. Thanks again for everything, and I’ll absolutely recommend your firm to anyone seeking support in this process.”
On June 25th, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Graduate Research Assistant/ UX Researcher in the Field of Human-Centered Research and Design (Approval Notice).
General Field: Human-Centered Research and Design
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Graduate Research Assistant/ UX Researcher
Country of Origin: Iran
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: North Carolina
Approval Notice Date: June 25th, 2025
Processing Time: 6 months, 19 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
We are pleased to share the successful EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Graduate Research Assistant originally from Iran who is pioneering the use of human-centered research and design to enhance accessibility and equity in healthcare and technology interactions. At the time of filing, our client was actively engaged in UX research, with a clear focus on translating complex user needs into inclusive design strategies for critical systems in healthcare and beyond.
Transforming Healthcare through Design
Our client’s proposed endeavor centers on reshaping the future of healthcare through inclusive and empathetic design. Her work addresses fundamental accessibility gaps by applying qualitative and quantitative research techniques to enhance user experiences, system efficiency, and the accessibility of digital health platforms and services. Whether designing immersive AR/VR tools or optimizing postnatal care platforms, her research consistently foregrounds underrepresented perspectives in healthcare delivery.
Through multiple projects—such as ergonomic studies on industrial laborers, collaborative digital storytelling for maternal health, and immersive analytics for user interaction—our client has demonstrated both depth and breadth in human-centered research and design. The innovative methods and tangible impact of her work reflect a sophisticated ability to translate design into meaningful social outcomes.
Strong Record of Publication, Citation, and Review
Her academic contributions include 2 peer-reviewed journal articles, 5 peer-reviewed conference papers, and 1 patent application, all of which amplify the value of her research in global design and healthcare domains. Her published work has been cited 34 times, underscoring her growing influence in a field where cross-disciplinary applications are expanding rapidly.
In addition to her publications, she has contributed at least 16 reviews for reputable journals and conferences, including Human Factors in Healthcare, the Design Research Society Conference, and the ACM SIGCHI Conference. These invitations reflect her authority in the field and the high regard with which her peers view her contributions.
National Importance and Federal Funding Support
Our team at NAILG carefully framed her research within nationally significant contexts. Her work directly contributes to tackling systemic healthcare inequities—a matter of pressing concern in the U.S., where racial and ethnic disparities cost the economy hundreds of billions annually. Furthermore, her exploration of human-machine interfaces aligns with critical and emerging technologies recognized by the National Science and Technology Council.
Our petition also highlighted that her research has already attracted federal funding from agencies like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality—powerful validation of her work’s relevance to public health policy and innovation.
Recognized by Leading Experts
In her recommendation letters, field experts offered emphatic endorsements of her research and its potential. One letter noted:
“Her approach supports both health equity and digital innovation, and these outcomes are of great value to the United States as we seek to improve healthcare access across socioeconomic and geographic boundaries.”
Such testimonials helped us effectively demonstrate how her continuing presence in the U.S. would be in the national interest.
Approval Secured with NAILG’s Guidance
Despite the complex nature of interdisciplinary design work, our team at North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) successfully argued that our client’s qualifications, research record, and future plans positioned her exceptionally well to continue making impactful contributions in the United States. With direct premium processing, we received a decision within less than three months, including a swift response to an RFE issued in February.
We are thrilled to have helped her navigate this critical step in her journey and are proud to support visionaries who are redefining what innovation looks like through empathy, equity, and design.