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Our mission is simple: to dismantle the black box of immigration law and give you information you can trust, without the jargon.

Today’s memo is brought to you by Ana Gabriela Urizar, an immigration lawyer with almost a decade of experience and over 15,000 cases filed.

Immigration attorney David Santiago is going live on Thursday, February 19 at 6 p.m. EST to review three audience-submitted profiles and walk through what actually makes a case strong in 2026. He’ll break down how USCIS is evaluating extraordinary ability and national interest petitions right now, and where applicants tend to fall short.

If you’ve been wondering whether your profile is competitive, this is a rare opportunity to see how an attorney analyzes real cases in real time. You’ll learn what evidence carries weight, how to think strategically about criteria selection, and what separates an approvable case from one that needs more development.

Even if your profile isn’t selected, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of where you stand and what to focus on next.

This week, Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar offers her insights on our new report on EB-1A and EB-2 NIW approval data.

On Thursday, Manifest released an exclusive report on the state of the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW. Within it, my colleagues offer their perspective on the latest data from both USCIS and the case tracking platform Lawfully. The findings suggest a more complex picture than headlines alone capture.

For example, the report highlights USCIS data showing that total EB-1A approvals rose in Fiscal Year 2025. At the same time, the number of new petitions filed each quarter increased, contributing to a decline in the overall approval rate.

That combination is consistent with a high-demand, high-scrutiny environment. As more petitions enter the system, officers may approve a greater absolute number of cases while narrowing approvals to applicants who most clearly distinguish themselves within a larger and more competitive peer group.

In that context, differences in how a case is structured, like which criteria are emphasized and how the narrative is framed, may carry increasing weight in 2026. Petitioners who understand how adjudicators evaluate comparable cases are often better positioned than those who treat the criteria as a checklist exercise.

Other key takeaways from the report include: 

Read the full report to see what the data could mean for your long-term plans in the U.S.

February 19 at 6 p.m. EST

Join Manifest immigration attorney David Alexander Santiago as he offers real-time feedback on people’s profiles.

As Heidi Klum says, “One day you're in, and the next you’re out.” Unless you apply for permanent residence, of course. 

This month, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) runs from February 11 through February 16. As globally recognized brands showcase their collections, many skilled professionals travel to the U.S. to participate in shows, campaigns, and related productions. 

For these international creatives, securing the right immigration status becomes crucial during NYFW. Without the proper visa, they may not be able to legally enter or work in the U.S.

For example, many people don’t realize that visitor visas like the B-1/B-2 only authorize travel for limited, unpaid business activities. As a result, they simply don’t make the cut for NYFW. Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar explains the strategies that models, makeup artists, and others use to participate in NYFW  further in her New York Fashion Week guide for foreign nationals.