EB-1AData science and analyticsIndividualDecided September 2025Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
SEP162025_02B2203
JudgingMetScholarly articlesMetMembershipNot metOriginal contributionsNot metHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
A data scientist with a master's degree in software engineering claimed six evidentiary criteria for extraordinary ability. The AAO affirmed the service center's finding that she met only two criteria, judging and scholarly articles. She failed to establish that IEEE senior membership requires outstanding achievements or that her original contributions were of major significance. Without three satisfied criteria, the petition was dismissed without final merits review.
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 · Service Center finding affirmed without disturbance
- Scholarly articles · Service Center finding affirmed without disturbance
What was missing
- Membership · IEEE senior membership does not require outstanding achievements; committee composition not shown to include national or international experts
- Original contributions · Petitioner failed to establish original contributions of major significance in the field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Service Center finding affirmed without disturbance |
 Scholarly articles | Met | Service Center finding affirmed without disturbance |
 Membership | Not met | IEEE senior membership does not require outstanding achievements; committee composition not shown to include national or international experts |
 Original contributions | Not met | Petitioner failed to establish original contributions of major significance in the field |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in detail; petition denied before reaching this criterion |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in detail; petition denied before reaching this criterion |
 Final merits | Not reached / not discussed | Did not satisfy threshold of three initial evidentiary criteria; final merits analysis not reached |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.