Outcome: Dismissed
JUL022019_01B2203
Our summary
A journalist claimed extraordinary ability through five criteria, meeting at least three via awards, publications, judging, and a leadership role. The AAO found the evidentiary criteria satisfied but dismissed the appeal because the totality of evidence, particularly the awards, demonstrated only local and regional recognition rather than the sustained national or international acclaim required.
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 · Director found petitioner met awards criterion; AAO did not disturb this finding
- Judging · Participated as juror selecting journalism award recipients
- Leading or critical role · Performed leading or critical role for organization with distinguished reputation
- Published material · Articles published about petitioner in professional and major media outlets
- Scholarly articles · Director found petitioner met scholarly articles criterion
What was missing
- Final merits · Awards lacked evidence of national or international recognition; mostly local or regional
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | Director found petitioner met awards criterion; AAO did not disturb this finding | |
| Met | Participated as juror selecting journalism award recipients | |
| Met | Performed leading or critical role for organization with distinguished reputation | |
| Met | Articles published about petitioner in professional and major media outlets | |
| Met | Director found petitioner met scholarly articles criterion | |
| Not met | Awards lacked evidence of national or international recognition; mostly local or regional |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
