EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided April 2025Remanded
Outcome: Remanded
APR212025_01B2203
AwardsMetJudgingMetLeading or critical roleMetFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A hockey athlete and coach appealed denial of EB-1A petition. The AAO withdrew SCOPS's decision that petitioner failed the judging criterion, finding evidence that she served as head referee. With three criteria met, the AAO remanded for SCOPS to conduct final merits analysis of sustained acclaim and top percentage standing.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
What the AAO accepted
- Awards · SCOPS found petitioner received lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards
- Judging · Petitioner served as head referee for ice hockey competition, satisfying judging criterion
- Leading or critical role · SCOPS found petitioner performed leading or critical role for organization with distinguished reputation
What was missing
- Final merits · SCOPS did not conduct final merits analysis; AAO remanded for SCOPS to determine extraordinary ability based on totality of evidence
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | SCOPS found petitioner received lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards |
 Judging | Met | Petitioner served as head referee for ice hockey competition, satisfying judging criterion |
 Leading or critical role | Met | SCOPS found petitioner performed leading or critical role for organization with distinguished reputation |
 Final merits | Not met | SCOPS did not conduct final merits analysis; AAO remanded for SCOPS to determine extraordinary ability based on totality of evidence |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.