Published AAO appeal decisions

Actress claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability, citing soap opera appearances in Latin America. AAO rejected all criteria—awards, published material, original contributions, leading role, and commercial success—and dismissed appeal, finding evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained acclaim.

Ballroom dancer claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found only one criterion met and rejected claims about one-time achievement and additional criteria. Dismissed appeal, holding evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained acclaim at the field's very top.

Jewelry designer self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability status. AAO upheld denial across awards, publications, contributions, and leadership criteria, finding solicited letters insufficient and routine duties inadequate for sustained national or international acclaim.

Martial arts instructor claims extraordinary ability. Presented old awards, association membership, and leading role at organization. AAO found one criterion met but awards too old to show sustained acclaim, membership inadequate, and overall evidence insufficient for sustained national or international acclaim at very top. Appeal dismissed.

Postdoctoral researcher in life sciences claimed extraordinary ability under six criteria. The AAO found only two criteria possibly met, below the required three, and concluded the evidence failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field by 2007.

Art director self-petitioner for EB-1A claimed awards, publications, original contributions, exhibitions, and leading critical role. AAO found only original contributions criterion met. Award receipt not documented; publications not about petitioner; emerging artists exhibit insufficient; art director role not leading or critical. Appeal dismissed.

A research scientist claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability in life sciences based on fellowship, association membership, publications, and guest speaking. The AAO dismissed, finding the fellowship undocumented, membership not based on outstanding achievement, publications routine to the field, no judging role, and insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim.

Microbiologist filed self-petition seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed at least three regulatory criteria including original contributions and scholarly articles. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

Self-represented athlete with multiple claimed fields (running, wrestling) sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found no established primary field of endeavor, no documented prizes, and no evidence of sustained acclaim or critical role in any field.

Singer petitioner claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A. Petitioner claimed awards, published materials, leading role, and commercial success criteria. AAO withdrew director's findings on awards and published materials for insufficient evidentiary support, found leading role and commercial success unmet, and concluded petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of her field.

A dermatologist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The petitioner claimed membership, published material, judging, scholarly articles, and critical role. The AAO found none met the standard for sustained national or international acclaim at the field's very top, dismissing the appeal.

A music manager sought EB-1A classification claiming to meet three criteria. The AAO corrected the director's field characterization but found awards, membership, and leading role criteria unmet. Evidence demonstrated talent but not sustained acclaim placing the petitioner among the very top.

Business professional sought EB-1A classification. Met published material criterion through professional articles discussing achievements. Failed to meet awards and leading role criteria. Overall record does not demonstrate achievements placing petitioner significantly above others at national or international level.

A wrestler sought extraordinary ability classification. The AAO reviewed six criteria but found no evidence supporting any. Petitioner submitted no documentation of awards, membership, publications, or leadership roles. Evidence failed to demonstrate sustained national acclaim or that petitioner stood among the very top in the field.

Self-represented postdoctoral researcher claimed extraordinary ability as scientist based on awards, memberships, published material, and teaching roles. AAO found awards insufficient, memberships not based on outstanding achievement, articles not primarily about petitioner, and teaching roles not at very top level. Appeal dismissed for failure to meet three criteria.

Athletic coach sought extraordinary ability classification. Met two criteria (awards and leading role) but needed three. AAO rejected argument that same evidence satisfies membership criterion separately, finding petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim at coaching's very top level.

A gymnastics competitor and coach sought EB-1A classification. The petitioner was denied because she could not establish sustained national or international acclaim. Her athletic achievements ended in 1999, and her coaching record—with athletes placing fifth—did not evidence top-tier expertise. At least three criteria were unmet.

A scientist in psychophysiology self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. She claimed four regulatory criteria but the AAO found she did not meet the awards or membership criteria, and letters of recommendation alone could not establish leading role. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of her field.

Basketball player with prior acclaim seeks EB-1A as coach. Decision holds petitioner demonstrated extraordinary ability as athlete but failed to show coaching is within area of expertise. Limited coaching experience (three months middle school, camp lectures) insufficient for sustained national or international acclaim in coaching, even considering overall pattern.

Head horse trainer and jumper petitioner claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A. AAO held petitioner failed to meet three regulatory criteria through objective evidence and instead relied excessively on expert letters. Achievements did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at very top level. Appeal dismissed.

A mass communications educator sought extraordinary ability classification in education. The director denied for lack of continued work in the field. The AAO upheld that, withdrew the director's favorable acclaim finding, and found the claimed criteria unmet and no showing of top-of-field standing, so the appeal was dismissed.

A filmmaker in the arts sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He claimed awards and critical role criteria through a Grand Prix award and acclaimed directorial and commissioning work. The AAO found the critical role criterion met but awards not met; meeting only one of three required criteria, the petition was denied.

A pediatric cardiac surgeon and founder of a nonprofit cardiac surgery foundation seeks EB-1A classification. He claimed at least three regulatory criteria were met. The AAO found he satisfied the criteria and established sustained national acclaim as one of the small percentage at the top of his field, and would continue his work in the United States.

Environmental manager in business sustainability claimed to meet at least three EB-1A criteria. AAO found membership criterion unmet, original contributions and scholarly articles unsupported by extensive documentation, and leading role unestablished. Overall evidence insufficient for extraordinary ability at the top of field.

Traditional Albanian folk singer claimed extraordinary ability through awards, publications, original contributions, and critical roles in performances. AAO found no major international award and fewer than three criteria met, with outdated evidence of acclaim prior to filing.