Published AAO appeal decisions

Aviation maintenance technician sought EB-2 national interest waiver to advance SMED-based aircraft inspection methodology. AAO dismissed appeal: proposed endeavor lacked national importance and petitioner failed to show he was well-positioned to advance it without concrete plans, publications, or demonstrable progress.

An industrial engineer proposing a small gold-plating production plant. AAO found petitioner qualified as advanced degree professional and was well positioned to advance the endeavor, but failed to establish national importance of the specific proposed business, confusing field importance with endeavor importance.

Process engineering manager appealing dismissal of motion to reopen and reconsider EB-1A petition. AAO held motion properly dismissed because evidence submitted post-petition filing and lacked specificity regarding contributions of major significance; petitioner did not overcome basis for prior denial.

Industrial engineer sought NIW to operate independent consulting business serving manufacturing and related industries. AAO affirmed denial, finding no evidence the specific endeavor would meaningfully impact targeted industries or demonstrate substantial economic effects at national level.

Industrial engineer proposing multidisciplinary real estate and construction engineering company. Failed to establish that the specific endeavor would substantially impact the field more broadly or produce significant employment or economic effects at a level commensurate with national importance.

Robotics and autonomous systems engineer with Ph.D. sought NIW for proposed autonomous robotics research. AAO held first prong met but dismissed appeal because petitioner is not well-positioned to advance endeavor; lacks specific employment offer and has not demonstrated concrete progress toward employment or research activities required to advance the work.

Power systems project manager with advanced degree petitioned for NIW based on employment with electrical systems company. Claimed all three Dhanasar prongs. AAO found endeavor lacks national importance beyond employer and customers, lacks broader industry implications, and dismissed appeal without addressing remaining prongs.

A field and operations manager sought EB-2 with NIW as an industrial maintenance expert in electrical and hydraulic systems. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding his proposed work lacked national importance despite documented achievements. His endeavor benefited employers and clients rather than advancing the maintenance field broadly.

Engineering executive in drilling and well completion sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed because petitioner met only two of required three initial criteria and failed final merits determination; lacks sustained national or international acclaim.

Operations management engineer seeks NIW to pursue energy management graduate studies. AAO affirmed denial finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance; while substantial merit shown, record does not demonstrate broader field implications or regional or national impact beyond individual business.

Mechanical engineer and researcher sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three regulatory criteria: judging, scholarly articles, leading critical role. However, failed to establish major significance of original contributions and lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Mechatronics engineer seeking NIW for self-employed industrial consulting focusing on environmental and manufacturing efficiency. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish national importance; confusing proposed company with endeavor and lacking objective evidence of field-level impact did not overcome first prong failure.

Industrial engineer in lean production holding master's degree seeking EB-2 NIW. Claimed national importance based on job creation and support for domestic manufacturing and sustainability. AAO found endeavor substantively meritorious but lacked national importance; work limited to small client base without demonstrated broader implications in engineering or manufacturing fields.

Engineer and technologist sought NIW for EB-2 to research UAV aerodynamics for civilian applications. AAO dismissed; while endeavor has national importance, petitioner failed second prong: advanced degrees and engineer-in-training status insufficient without demonstrated success, progress, or relevant published research.

An aeronautical engineer holding an advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO found him eligible for underlying EB-2 classification but concluded his proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong, as his work benefited only his employer without demonstrating broader industry impact or significant U.S. employment potential. The appeal was dismissed.

A mechanical engineer proposed to work in heavy equipment maintenance and repair. AAO dismissed the appeal because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; it would impact only his customers and employers, not the automotive industry broadly, and showed no significant U.S. job creation or economic benefits.

Aircraft maintenance specialist sought EB-2 national interest waiver. Claimed endeavor has national importance through aviation industry support and safety. AAO dismissed appeal because specific proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance or broad field impact beyond position.

Mechanical engineer seeking NIW under EB-2 proposing to establish maintenance services company. AAO found proposed endeavor lacks national importance; plan omits critical details on location, scope, employee count, and economic impact. Second-preference eligibility reserved. Appeal dismissed.

Aircraft maintenance consultant seeking NIW for aviation consulting business. Asserted endeavor would employ U.S. workers, advance aviation education, and support FAA and National Center for Advancement of Aviation objectives. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance despite alignment with national initiatives.

Aeronautical engineer seeking NIW for consulting work in aviation. Claimed substantial merit and national importance. AAO dismissed appeal, finding endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance because petitioner provided no documentation of specific impact beyond consulting clients or broader aviation field implications.

Engineer and drone operator sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance. Evidence showed competence but no impact beyond employer or clients, nor field-wide advancement commensurate with national importance.

A Colombian aviation mechanic sought EB-2 classification as person of exceptional ability with national interest waiver. The AAO found the petitioner met three evidentiary criteria but lacked exceptional ability in final merits determination; the proposed endeavor also lacked national importance, thus dismissing the appeal.

Industrial engineer seeks NIW to provide industrial engineering services domestically. AAO dismissed appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacks sufficient specificity and national importance because petitioner failed to identify the industry or field, provided only general claims, and did not demonstrate potential significant employment or economic effects.

Manufacturing engineering manager sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed, holding that although petitioner qualifies as an advanced degree professional and is well positioned to advance the endeavor, it lacks national importance because it does not demonstrate sufficient prospective impact on the field or nation.

Aircraft mechanic sought EB-2 NIW classification. AAO held petitioner failed to establish national importance of his specific endeavor; performing typical occupational duties and industry growth projections do not demonstrate the required broader field impact or substantial economic effects.