Success Story: NIW Approved Despite RFE! Applied Psychology Expert Achieves Success with Our Support

Case Summary:           

North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) is proud to announce the approval of an I-140 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition for an accomplished applied psychology researcher. This case was approved in July 2025, overcame a Request for Evidence (RFE), and ultimately secured a favorable decision, reflecting the strength of the petition and the importance of the client’s work.

Advancing Research at the Intersection of Brain and Behavior

The client’s proposed endeavor focuses on investigating the neural underpinnings of functional decline, including neuromotor, emotional, and cognitive impairments, by combining behavioral analysis with brain imaging techniques. This interdisciplinary approach aims to uncover the mechanisms behind neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, Parkinson’s disease, and autism spectrum disorder. Her ongoing research holds promise for advancing diagnostic and treatment strategies across a wide range of neurological and mental health conditions.

As part of her current academic position in the United States, she continues to explore structural brain contributions to aging and neurodegeneration, with specific applications to adult autism and dementia research.

Recognized Contributions to Neuropsychological Research

To support the petition, we highlighted the client’s growing impact in the field of applied psychology and cognitive neuroscience, including:

• 17 peer-reviewed journal articles,
• 5 peer-reviewed conference articles,
• 1 conference abstract,
• 1 first-authored preprint, and
• 1 first-authored book chapter.

Her scholarly work has received 333 citations to date, and at least 9 of her articles rank among the most highly cited papers in psychiatry and psychology for their publication years. Several of her studies have directly informed innovations in speech and gait biometrics for diagnosing depression, wearable systems for Parkinson’s disease monitoring, and brain stimulation interventions for cognitive and visual functions.

In recognition of her expertise, she has completed at least 19 peer reviews for leading journals in neuroscience, public health, psychiatry, and aging, reinforcing her standing as a trusted contributor to the advancement of her field.

Strong Evidence of National and Scientific Importance

Our legal team emphasized the broad public health relevance of the client’s work, especially her efforts to identify non-invasive biomarkers of neurological decline. Her research addresses critical gaps in understanding and diagnosing conditions that place a growing burden on the U.S. healthcare system, including early-onset dementia and Parkinsonism in adults with autism. By targeting structural and behavioral indicators, her studies offer scalable, cost-effective tools for tracking disease progression and enhancing personalized care.

Demonstrated Support from Field Experts

To reinforce the strength of the petition, we submitted letters of recommendation from two well-qualified experts in applied psychology and behavioral neuroscience. These letters offered detailed accounts of the client’s technical capabilities, innovative contributions, and influence in shaping ongoing research across academia and clinical applications.

“Overall, her track record assures me that she will continue to contribute to the national interest of the United States. For these reasons, I offer my wholehearted endorsement of [Client], who stands out among her peers as an extraordinary scientist.”

A Positive Outcome for a Pioneering Researcher

Despite a mid-process RFE, this case advanced to approval thanks to robust evidence, a detailed research plan, and strategic legal advocacy tailored to the national interest standard.

We are honored to support this outstanding applied psychologist in continuing her pursuit of breakthroughs at the intersection of brain science and behavior. Her work contributes meaningfully to public health and neuropsychiatric understanding in the United States and exemplifies the type of talent the NIW program is designed to retain.