USCIS Issues New Adjustment of Status Memo: What You Need to Know
The memo — officially called PM-602-0199 — instructs USCIS officers to treat Adjustment of Status as a form of "extraordinary discretionary relief" compared to the standard process of applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad. In plain language, officers are now being told to actively evaluate whether granting you a green card inside the U.S. is warranted, rather than treating it as a routine step.
EB2-NIW Explained
EB2 is part of the employment-based immigrant visas available to those "who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees" or foreign nationals of "exceptional ability." NIW stands for National Interest Waiver; the waiver applies to a job offer and labor certification requirement.