Cybersecurity EB-2 NIW: A Former USCIS Officer’s Take on the 2026 Cybercrime Executive Order 

Before joining Colombo & Hurd, I spent more than a decade as a USCIS officer adjudicating employment-based immigration petitions, including EB-2 NIWs.  When a new executive order is issued, I evaluate it the same way I did in that role: what is the government actually stating about whether this type of work matters? 

On March 6, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14390, “Combating Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes Against American Citizens.” In plain terms, the order states that cyber-enabled crime run by transnational criminal networks is costing Americans billions of dollars a year, and it directs federal agencies to review, coordinate, and improve the government’s tools for taking these networks apart. Cybercrime, in other words, is a serious and growing national problem, and that stopping it is a priority. 

This is a clear acknowledgment of the value cybersecurity professionals bring to the country. The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) exists to recognize work that matters to the country, and here the government has said, in its own words, that this work matters. 

Why This Means for Cybersecurity Professionals Considering the EB-2 NIW

The executive order calls for cooperation between federal agencies and commercial cybersecurity firms and other non-federal groups, a sign that this isn’t a problem the government sees itself handling alone. Private-sector work is part of that effort, and most cybersecurity professionals work in the private sector.  

The reach of that work is broad. Securing a bank’s systems protects financial infrastructure. Building resilient systems for a hospital network safeguards healthcare. Hardening a software supply chain that a whole industry runs on protects far more than one company. Each of these examples touches something the country depends on every day.As a former officer, I can tell you that national importance isn’t tied to any one type of employer. Officers look past titles and job descriptions to the work itself. The question I asked was simple: does this work address a recognized national priority? Cybercrime clearly is one such problem. 

If that sounds like the work you do, it may be worth exploring whether the EB-2 NIW is a path that makes sense to you.  

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What Do Real Cybersecurity Approvals Look Like? 

Colombo & Hurd’s recent cybersecurity approvals show how this plays out. Each case describes what the professional did, and each show that the work was recognized as important to the country. 

Strengthening Cybersecurity for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses 

One approval involved a technology professional who helps small and mid-sized U.S. businesses with cybersecurity and systems modernization. With a background in large retail and logistics, he planned to help smaller businesses lower their cyber risk through security assessments, upgrades, automation, and staff training. His work was recognized as valuable to the businesses that depend on it. 

Securing Cloud Infrastructure  

Another approval was a cloud and infrastructure engineer with more than ten years of experience building and securing systems in real operational settings, including cloud migrations and automation that reduced manual, error-prone work. His petition was approved, with his contribution to secure, stable infrastructure for smaller companies recognized as important. 

Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Sensitive Networks 

A third approval was a cybersecurity professional whose work spans from finding vulnerabilities to responding to live threats, supported by evidence like training records and detailed project history. His petition connected that work to specific nationalconcerns, including the protection of critical infrastructure, financial systems, and healthcare networks.  The petition was approved, with this work recognized as significant. 

These cases follow a pattern I recognize from my own time reviewing petitions. The common thread was never a job title. Instead, it was that each person could point to specific work that connected to an issue the country wants to solve, and could show that connection clearly enough that an officer didn’t have to guess at it. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does the 2026 cybercrime executive order help my EB-2 NIW petition?  

It can give useful policy context for work involving cybercrime, fraud prevention, ransomware defense, threat intelligence, or victim protection, because it puts the government on record that this area matters. It does not decide eligibility on its own. USCIS still reviews your work, your qualifications, and your evidence. 

Can cybersecurity professionals self-sponsor for a green card?  

Yes. The EB-2 NIW waives the job-offer and labor-certification requirements, so you don’t need an employer to sponsor you. You still must meet the EB-2 and National Interest Waiver requirements. 

Which cybersecurity roles can qualify for the National Interest Waiver?  

The EB-2 NIW is not limited to any specific profession or role. Security engineers, incident-response analysts, threat hunters, malware analysts, penetration testers, researchers, and security leaders have all filed petitions and been approved. What matters most is whether the work addresses something the country genuinely needs, and whether your evidence supports that. 

See If You Qualify

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Want to find out whether the EB-2 NIW fits your situation? Schedule a consultation with Colombo & Hurd to talk through your case.