EB-1AEducation and academiaEmployerDecided March 2024Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
MAR042024_03B2203
High salaryMetJudgingMetAwardsNot metMembershipClaimed, not analyzedOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedPublished materialClaimed, not analyzedScholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Public school employer petitioned for high school science teacher beneficiary as extraordinary ability. Beneficiary met only two criteria: judging and high salary. Award not major and internationally recognized. Did not meet three-criterion threshold or demonstrate sustained acclaim. 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
- High salary · Director found beneficiary met criterion for commanding high salary in field
- Judging · Director found beneficiary met plain language requirement for judging work of others
What was missing
- Awards · Teacher of the Year award not major and internationally recognized; narrowly interpreted for extraordinary ability
- Final merits · Record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or extensive field recognition
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 High salary | Met | Director found beneficiary met criterion for commanding high salary in field |
 Judging | Met | Director found beneficiary met plain language requirement for judging work of others |
 Awards | Not met | Teacher of the Year award not major and internationally recognized; narrowly interpreted for extraordinary ability |
 Membership | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed on appeal; waived by petitioner's failure to address |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed on appeal; waived by petitioner's failure to address |
 Published material | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed on appeal; waived by petitioner's failure to address |
 Scholarly articles | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or discussed in decision |
 Final merits | Not met | Record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or extensive field recognition |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.