EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided February 2020Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
FEB272020_01B2203
AwardsMetOriginal contributionsNot metPublished materialNot metLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Competitive rower self-petitioner sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met only one of ten criteria (awards) but needed three. Published material and original contributions claims were rejected for insufficient evidence of major significance. Final merits finding rejected as petitioner lacked sustained international acclaim required for classification.
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 · First place finish in 2016 international rowing competition established as nationally or internationally recognized award
What was missing
- Original contributions · Letters lacked specifics and used hyperbolic language; no evidence of major significance in rowing field
- Published material · Articles must be about the petitioner relating to work; mere mentions or articles without author do not qualify
- Final merits · Petitioner has not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim or place among small percentage at top of field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | First place finish in 2016 international rowing competition established as nationally or internationally recognized award |
 Original contributions | Not met | Letters lacked specifics and used hyperbolic language; no evidence of major significance in rowing field |
 Published material | Not met | Articles must be about the petitioner relating to work; mere mentions or articles without author do not qualify |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion claimed but AAO did not provide detailed analysis; subsumed in overall finding |
 Final merits | Not met | Petitioner has not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim or place among small percentage at top of field |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.