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EB-1AAgriculture and foodIndividualDecided 2026Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed

JUL072026_02B2203

JudgingMetScholarly articlesMetOriginal contributionsNot metAwardsClaimed, not analyzedCommercial successClaimed, not analyzedExhibitionsClaimed, not analyzedHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedMembershipClaimed, not analyzedPublished materialClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot reached / not discussed

Our summary

A soil science researcher claimed extraordinary ability based on judging, scholarly articles, and original contributions. AAO upheld denial, finding only two criteria met. Original contributions rejected because publication in ranked journals and citation metrics alone do not establish major significance in the field without broader field recognition.

Official PDF

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Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.

What the AAO accepted

  • Judging · USCIS determined petitioner met this criterion
  • Scholarly articles · USCIS determined petitioner met this criterion

What was missing

  • Original contributions · Work not shown to be of major significance in soil science field

Criteria

CriterionReadingWhy
JudgingMetUSCIS determined petitioner met this criterion
Scholarly articlesMetUSCIS determined petitioner met this criterion
Original contributionsNot metWork not shown to be of major significance in soil science field
AwardsClaimed, not analyzedNo major internationally recognized award claimed or established
Commercial successClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed by petitioner
ExhibitionsClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed by petitioner
High salaryClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed by petitioner
Leading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed by petitioner
MembershipClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed by petitioner
Published materialClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed by petitioner
Final meritsNot reached / not discussedNot reached because initial three-criterion threshold not satisfied

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

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