Law firm Colombo and Hurd has secured an approved EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition for a labour attorney from Ecuador specialising in workplace harassment prevention.
The petition was approved by USCIS in three months and sixteen days, with no Request for Evidence issued, meaning the case cleared on its first submission.
Attorney Hugo Rojas of Colombo and Hurd led the petition, guiding the client through a process that required more than simply presenting legal credentials to immigration authorities.
The client holds a law degree alongside master’s degrees in human rights and procedural law, and brings more than five years of experience across labour law, organisational consulting, and human rights work.
His professional background includes advising employers on compliance matters, designing internal workplace policies, preparing contracts and manuals, and supporting conflict prevention initiatives across organisations.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 12 billion working days are lost globally each year to depression and anxiety, representing approximately $1 trillion in lost productivity for businesses worldwide.
Federal agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have both made workplace harassment prevention and employee well-being formal priorities in recent years.
In 2022, the client overhauled internal policies and disciplinary procedures for a medium-sized logistics company, reducing staff turnover by 30% within six months and helping the business avoid two potential wrongful termination lawsuits.
The legal team structured the petition to move beyond academic qualifications, demonstrating instead how the client’s documented results aligned directly with federal priorities and measurable employer outcomes such as retention and legal risk reduction.
As Attorney Rojas explained, “The key was showing that his value was not just knowing the law, but offering practical insight, clear assessments, and guidance employers could use.”
The petition connected the client’s experience to EEOC protections against workplace harassment and discrimination, as well as OSHA guidance covering workplace stress and employee mental health.
Attorney Rojas also noted, “He did not need to invent something new. He already had a professional path. The key was showing how that work could bring value in the United States.”
With the approval secured, the client now plans to launch a U.S.-based consulting practice focused on harassment prevention, internal compliance systems, and improving workplace culture for employers.
As Attorney Rojas noted in summarising the outcome, “Sometimes the strongest case begins with showing the real value of what you already do.”