Can I use Census Bureau statistics to show the need in my field?

Yes. In the EB-2 NIW, statistics from the Census Bureau and other official sources can help demonstrate the demand or importance of your field. The key is to use them as part of an argument, not as a standalone data point.

Data strengthens a petition when it connects external reality to the value of your work. On their own, market figures merely describe a scenario; what persuades is the bridge between that scenario and what you specifically contribute.

• Cite the source precisely and contextualize the data within your field.
• Show the gap or need that the numbers reveal.
• Link that need to the concrete impact of your work.

Use the data honestly and verifiably, without stretching interpretations. Since national interest is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authorities, it is worth reviewing the updated guidance from USCIS or working with a specialist when building this argument.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.