EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided 2005Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JUN242005_05B2203
MembershipMetAwardsNot metJudgingNot metOriginal contributionsNot metPublished materialNot metCommercial successClaimed, not analyzedExhibitionsClaimed, not analyzedHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedScholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A collegiate soccer player petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO rejected arguments to narrow the field to collegiate soccer and found that while one criterion was met, the evidence lacked sustained acclaim. The petitioner failed to demonstrate achievement setting him significantly above almost all others in the field.
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
- Membership · National team memberships could qualify but not indicative of sustained acclaim at filing date
What was missing
- Awards · Scholarships and collegiate awards limited to district level, not nationally recognized
- Judging · No evidence submitted demonstrating participation as judge
- Original contributions · Counsel asserted awards and records meet criterion but analysis found insufficient
- Published material · Coverage not primarily about petitioner and does not meet major media standard
- Final merits · Evidence does not establish sustained acclaim or place in small percentage at very top
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Membership | Met | National team memberships could qualify but not indicative of sustained acclaim at filing date |
 Awards | Not met | Scholarships and collegiate awards limited to district level, not nationally recognized |
 Judging | Not met | No evidence submitted demonstrating participation as judge |
 Original contributions | Not met | Counsel asserted awards and records meet criterion but analysis found insufficient |
 Published material | Not met | Coverage not primarily about petitioner and does not meet major media standard |
 Commercial success | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or discussed in decision |
 Exhibitions | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or discussed in decision |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or discussed in decision |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or discussed in decision |
 Scholarly articles | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or discussed in decision |
 Final merits | Not met | Evidence does not establish sustained acclaim or place in small percentage at very top |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.