Published AAO appeal decisions

A competitive swimmer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO held he failed to meet the evidentiary threshold, finding only two criteria satisfied and rejecting published material and leading role claims. Final merits also not demonstrated despite claimed accomplishments.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor appealed EB-1A petition denial. The AAO found petitioner failed to satisfy three initial evidentiary criteria: awards from athletic competition do not count when claiming coaching role; Brazilian publications do not qualify as major media; and no evidence established critical role or distinguished organizational reputation. Appeal dismissed.

Athlete seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Established multiple initial criteria despite withdrawal of membership finding. Final merits analysis found evidence reflected time-limited success lacking sustained national or international acclaim required for pinnacle-level classification.

Soccer coach and former player sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, holding petitioner met only two of ten required initial criteria, that sustained acclaim must be in declared field of expertise (coaching, not playing), and career lacks required level of acclaim.

Taekwondo instructor self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO withdrew service center's affirmative findings on three criteria and affirmed failure to meet others, concluding petitioner failed to satisfy the minimum three criteria threshold without reaching final merits.

A rally racing athlete and entrepreneur sought extraordinary ability classification. After an earlier dismissed appeal, he filed a combined motion to reopen and reconsider. The AAO dismissed both, finding no new facts and no incorrect application of law or policy, only reargument of issues already considered.

Former cricket player who competed internationally 2001-2007 sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three of ten initial criteria but the AAO dismissed the appeal because the totality of evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim placing him among the very top of his field.

Pilot self-petitioner sought NIW under EB-2 as advanced degree professional. AAO dismissed appeal, finding initial endeavor as airline transport pilot lacked national importance, and petitioner materially changed endeavor in response to RFE without establishing broader field implications.

Competitive swimmer seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed awards, membership, published materials, and leading role criteria. AAO found awards met but membership and published materials not met; petitioner satisfied only two of ten criteria, below three-criterion threshold. Appeal dismissed.

An MMA fighter sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed motions to reopen and reconsider, affirming that while the petitioner met three initial criteria through awards, published material, and judging, the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.

Retired professional padel player ranked number one for 13 years sought extraordinary ability classification as coach. AAO determined only two of seven claimed criteria were met. Initial evidence threshold of three criteria not satisfied; final merits determination reserved. Appeal dismissed.

Equestrian trainer and coach self-petitioner could not use athlete achievements as prior acclaim had ended. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner met fewer than three initial evidentiary criteria and did not reach final merits.

A mountaineer from Bangladesh sought EB-1A classification claiming awards, membership, publications, contributions, and leading role. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence that awards were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence and that club membership required outstanding achievements by recognized experts. The petitioner did not demonstrate sustained acclaim at the top of the field.

Competitive swimmer seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found one criterion met (awards) but withdrew SCOPS findings on membership and published materials; petitioner failed to establish three of ten required criteria. Final merits analysis not reached. Appeal dismissed.

Martial arts athlete sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner met only one of ten criteria required as initial evidence and failed to establish national or international recognition of awards or qualifications.

Brazilian footvolley player, coach, trainer, and referee sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three initial evidentiary criteria but failed final merits determination. AAO dismissed appeal, finding insufficient sustained national or international acclaim and failure to establish placement among elite practitioners in footvolley.

A self-petitioner proposes directing volleyball and soccer classes for low-income children. AAO affirmed service center revocation, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance; offering youth sports to specific populations does not extend broader implications to industry, region, or nation required by Dhanasar.

A powerlifting coach claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, meeting three initial criteria. The AAO found he failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of his field because his judging experience lacked prestige, his published articles received no citations, and his accomplishments were insufficiently documented.

A rock climber sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The petitioner claimed membership, published material, and judging criteria but failed to meet any. The AAO affirmed dismissal, finding she did not establish the three criteria required and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or a position among the very top.

A hockey player from Russia self-petitioned for extraordinary ability classification, having satisfied at least three initial criteria. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding that while criteria were met, the totality of evidence—youth and junior achievements, plus professional play in lower-tier leagues—failed to demonstrate he is among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

A pole and aerial sport performer and instructor claimed four extraordinary ability criteria: awards, published material, judging and exhibitions. On service motion after litigation, the AAO withdrew the earlier awards finding because competition placements were unsupported or not shown to be nationally recognized. It dismissed the appeal, finding neither the threshold nor sustained acclaim established.

A fitness and wellness coordinator, formerly a professional soccer player, sought an EB-2 exceptional ability classification and a national interest waiver to run a children's health consulting and training company. The AAO withdrew the earlier exceptional ability finding because none of the claimed criteria were met, and reserved the Dhanasar prongs.