EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsIndividualDecided December 2020Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
DEC282020_01B2203
AwardsMetJudgingMetPublished materialMetFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A stage actor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Although the AAO found she met at least three of ten evidentiary criteria, it dismissed her appeal because her local and regional theater success, Latino-focused media coverage, and festival participation did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim among the very top of the field.
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 · Petitioner won awards from Association of Latin Entertainment Critics and Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, satisfying criterion for lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes.
- Judging · Petitioner participated as judge at festival, satisfying criterion for judging work of others.
- Published material · Published material about petitioner in professional or major media satisfied criterion, though articles were in Mexican newspapers not major U.S. media.
What was missing
- Final merits · Despite meeting three criteria, petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim required; accomplishments in regional Latino theater communities did not demonstrate top-tier field status.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | Petitioner won awards from Association of Latin Entertainment Critics and Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, satisfying criterion for lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes. |
 Judging | Met | Petitioner participated as judge at festival, satisfying criterion for judging work of others. |
 Published material | Met | Published material about petitioner in professional or major media satisfied criterion, though articles were in Mexican newspapers not major U.S. media. |
 Final merits | Not met | Despite meeting three criteria, petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim required; accomplishments in regional Latino theater communities did not demonstrate top-tier field status. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.