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EB-1ALaw, policy, social scienceIndividualDecided September 2025Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed

SEP262025_01B2203

JudgingMetOriginal contributionsMetAwardsNot metLeading or critical roleNot metHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedMembershipClaimed, not analyzedPublished materialClaimed, not analyzedScholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot reached / not discussed

Our summary

A former judge seeks extraordinary ability classification based on judicial work in Armenia. The AAO found the petitioner met only the original contributions criterion and one criterion already accepted by the service center, falling short of the required three criteria. Appeal dismissed because threshold initial evidence requirements were not satisfied.

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 found criterion met; decision did not disturb this finding
  • Original contributions · AAO concluded petitioner met this criterion on de novo review

What was missing

  • Awards · No major internationally recognized award shown
  • Leading or critical role · No evidence of distinguished reputation of judicial institutions; AAO withdrew SCOPS conclusion

Criteria

CriterionReadingWhy
JudgingMetService center found criterion met; decision did not disturb this finding
Original contributionsMetAAO concluded petitioner met this criterion on de novo review
AwardsNot metNo major internationally recognized award shown
Leading or critical roleNot metNo evidence of distinguished reputation of judicial institutions; AAO withdrew SCOPS conclusion
High salaryClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but decision does not analyze this criterion
MembershipClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but decision does not analyze this criterion
Published materialClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but decision does not analyze this criterion
Scholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but decision does not analyze this criterion
Final meritsNot reached / not discussedNot reached; AAO declined to analyze sustained acclaim after finding fewer than three criteria met

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

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