Outcome: Dismissed
FEB262026_03B2203
Our summary
Cybersecurity engineer employed as head of detection engineering sought EB-1A classification. Met initial three criteria: judging, scholarly articles, leading role, and high salary. However, final merits analysis found insufficient sustained national or international acclaim to demonstrate extraordinary ability at top percentage level.
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
- High salary · SCOPS found criterion met; decision affirmed
- Judging · SCOPS found criterion met; decision affirmed
- Leading or critical role · SCOPS found criterion met; decision affirmed
- Scholarly articles · SCOPS found criterion met; decision affirmed
What was missing
- Awards · Challenge coin awards lack demonstrated significance beyond receipt
- Final merits · Accomplishments insufficient; no sustained national/international acclaim demonstrated
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | SCOPS found criterion met; decision affirmed | |
| Met | SCOPS found criterion met; decision affirmed | |
| Met | SCOPS found criterion met; decision affirmed | |
| Met | SCOPS found criterion met; decision affirmed | |
| Not met | Challenge coin awards lack demonstrated significance beyond receipt | |
| Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; three criteria threshold met without this | |
| Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; three criteria threshold met without this | |
| Not met | Accomplishments insufficient; no sustained national/international acclaim demonstrated |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
