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EB-1AEducation and academiaIndividualDecided January 2020Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed

JAN062020_01B2203

JudgingMetScholarly articlesMetOriginal contributionsNot metAwardsClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met

Our summary

A special education researcher sought EB-1A classification. AAO found she met only two criteria: judging and scholarly articles. Original contributions rejected because reference letters lacked specifics and citations did not demonstrate major significance beyond local context. Appeal dismissed.

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

  • Judging · Reviewed papers for journals and served as judge of others' work
  • Scholarly articles · Authored scholarly articles in peer-reviewed publications

What was missing

  • Original contributions · Reference letters lacked specificity; citations insufficient; research impact shown only locally, not field-wide
  • Final merits · Failed three-criterion threshold; final merits analysis not required

Criteria

CriterionReadingWhy
JudgingMetReviewed papers for journals and served as judge of others' work
Scholarly articlesMetAuthored scholarly articles in peer-reviewed publications
Original contributionsNot metReference letters lacked specificity; citations insufficient; research impact shown only locally, not field-wide
AwardsClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed or established; major internationally recognized award required
Final meritsNot metFailed three-criterion threshold; final merits analysis not required

A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.

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