WeGreened Approval Statistics: Week of September 22, 2025
During the week of September 22 to September 28, 2025, WeGreened received a total of 80 approval notices from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) category again represented the majority of approvals, while the EB-1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) category maintained a strong presence among accomplished researchers and professionals.
Approval Distribution by Category and Service Center
Of the 80 approvals, 57 were for NIW, 17 for EB1A, 2 for EB1B (Outstanding Professors or Researchers), and 4 for O1A (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement).
The Nebraska Service Center (NSC) processed 9 EB1A and 29 NIW approvals, while the Texas Service Center (TSC) handled 7 EB1A and 28 NIW approvals. Additionally, one EB1A case was transferred from NSC to TSC.
EB1A and NIW Credential Analysis
EB1A petitioners demonstrated strong scholarly productivity, with publications ranging from 3 to 76 (median 21) and citations between 139 and 3,764 (median 527). These figures reflect substantial academic achievement and international impact.
NIW petitioners displayed a broader distribution of profiles, with publication counts from 3 to 99 (median 9) and citations between 18 and 4,216 (median 173). This variation underscores USCIS’s flexibility in adjudicating NIW petitions, emphasizing both research merit and practical contributions to U.S. priorities.
Insights on Petitioner Backgrounds and Fields
EB1A approvals this week included petitioners in artificial intelligence, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computational geophysics, and sociology. Many were affiliated with universities, research institutes, or medical centers in postdoctoral or senior researcher roles.
NIW approvals spanned biomedical science, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and chemistry. Petitioners frequently included industry engineers and applied scientists whose projects align with U.S. healthcare, technology, and manufacturing priorities.
Highlighted Non-STEM Case
One notable NIW approval this week involved a marine ecologist with 8 publications and 20 citations. The petitioner’s work examines how environmental pressures affect coastal seafloor communities and overall ecosystem health. While the numbers are modest, the record reflects consistent research output, field experience, and service as a peer reviewer.
Our legal team presented a clear, straightforward case: why this work matters to the United States and why this petitioner is well-positioned to carry it forward. We explained how healthy coastal ecosystems support fisheries, protect shorelines, and strengthen local economies. We also documented practical methods for monitoring habitat quality, a concrete U.S. research plan focused on pollution and restoration sites, and active collaborations with universities and conservation groups.
This case shows that NIW approval is not limited to lab-centric STEM fields. Professionals in marine ecology and conservation can succeed when their record demonstrates recognized expertise, measurable real-world impact, and a credible plan to advance U.S. priorities in sustainable fisheries and coastal ecosystem management.
Adjudication Trends and Policy Observations
EB1A: USCIS continues to emphasize documented international recognition, significant original contributions, and leadership within the field.
NIW: Adjudicators remain open to diverse academic and industry profiles, approving cases that demonstrate substantial merit, national importance, and the petitioner’s ability to advance their work.