Published AAO appeal decisions

Professor of applied linguistics sought EB-1A classification. Claimed six criteria; AAO found petitioner failed to satisfy at least three criteria by rejecting awards, published material, and original contributions findings. Withdrew SCOPS' favorable determinations on these three without reaching final merits given failure to meet evidentiary prongs.

Ceramic fabricator and contemporary artist blending cultural heritage with modern fabrication seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner satisfied only two criteria and failed to establish three additional criteria including awards, membership, and published materials with credible evidence.

Ph.D. in biological and agricultural engineering claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability based on judging, scholarly articles, and original contributions. AAO affirmed Service Center finding that petitioner met only judging and articles criteria. Original contributions claim rejected because citation rates and professional letters did not establish widespread field commentary on significance.

A biomedical and genetics researcher appealed denial of EB-1A petition. The AAO found she met the original contributions criterion by demonstrating significant roles in major research projects. However, the AAO dismissed the appeal because her overall record did not establish the sustained acclaim required for extraordinary ability classification.

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.

A banking executive with a master's degree in monetary banking and three decades in finance proposed to develop a fintech platform providing replicable credit infrastructure to small and medium-sized enterprises. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the endeavor addresses nationwide problems but lacks demonstrated field-wide impact required for national importance.

Lawyer and entrepreneur sought EB-2 NIW to establish firm facilitating Brazilian-U.S. business connections. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong because beneficiary showed insufficient broader field impact and inadequate projections demonstrating substantial economic benefits.

Pharmaceutical researcher claiming EB-1A extraordinary ability asserts evidence of major contributions through highly cited publications on colorectal cancer treatment. AAO held petitioner met only two of three claimed criteria; publications in respected journals do not automatically demonstrate major significance; no evidence of substantial field impact; appeal dismissed.

A systems engineer sought an NIW but failed to demonstrate national importance for his endeavor. The AAO found his business plans and impact claims too general and localized; assertions about secondary ripple effects and industry alignment did not satisfy Dhanasar's requirement for substantial positive economic effects or broad field advancement.

A political science professor and researcher with a master's and PhD sought EB-1A classification based on extraordinary ability. She claimed nine regulatory criteria. The AAO found the awards and membership criteria unmet and did not reach the remaining criteria or final merits because initial evidence threshold was not satisfied.

A Middle East analyst sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found the petitioner met three initial criteria (judging, scholarly articles, critical roles) but dismissed the appeal, concluding the evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim placing him among the field's very top.

A designer of mathematical education programs with EB-2 advanced degree sought NIW. AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but petitioner failed to demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial economic benefits required for national importance.

A computer science engineer in management positions sought EB-1A classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to meet three required evidentiary criteria, and declined to reach the final merits determination.

Tattoo artist self-petitioner met three regulatory criteria but failed to achieve extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met published material, judging, and exhibition criteria but dismissed appeal because overall record did not demonstrate sustained acclaim or placement among small percentage at top of field.

Composer, music minister, and ethnomusicology educator claimed six criteria. AAO affirmed judging and scholarly articles but rejected published material on plain language grounds. Petitioner waived remaining claims. Falls short of sustained national or international acclaim threshold.

Petitioner is a cybersecurity professional proposing to advance Internet of Things security in critical infrastructure. The AAO dismissed the appeal finding substantial merit but lacking national importance; petitioner's skills and client-focused work do not demonstrate broader implications rising to national importance level required.

Applicant with political science and public administration degree seeking NIW for supply chain management in oil and gas. AAO dismissed appeal on two independent grounds: educational training not tied to proposed endeavor and advanced degree requirement not established; additionally, Form I-290B and Form G-28 lacked valid original signatures.

Advanced degree professional proposed financial workflow optimization for small and medium enterprises. AAO dismissed appeal because proposed endeavor lacked national importance; evidence of industry importance insufficient to establish specific endeavor's national significance under Dhanasar framework.

Entrepreneur in agricultural technology with advanced degree sought EB-2 with national interest waiver for platform-based operational model. AAO dismissed appeal, finding endeavor lacks national importance because petitioner did not demonstrate impact beyond business and future clients to the field more broadly.

Medical nutrition executive appealed EB-1A denial. AAO found she satisfied three initial evidentiary criteria including high salary, published material, and original contributions. However, appeal dismissed because petitioner failed final merits determination; evidence insufficient to establish sustained national or international acclaim placing her among the small percentage at the field's very top.

Senior sourcing specialist sought national interest waiver as EB-2 advancing supply chain resilience and national security. Petitioner relied on field importance and federal priorities alignment. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance and insufficient evidence of well-positioning to advance it.

An information security analyst holding a master's in cybersecurity operations sought EB-2 national interest waiver for a cybersecurity consulting firm. The AAO found the applicant demonstrated substantial merit but lacked evidence of the specific endeavor's national importance. General industry importance and alignment with federal priorities were insufficient.

Transit-oriented development executive self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. Although satisfying four initial criteria for published material, judging, scholarly articles, and high remuneration, the AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability status.

A financial portfolio strategist in Canada claimed six EB-1A criteria but met only three per USCIS. On appeal, the AAO found the membership and published material criteria unmet and concluded the totality of evidence does not demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-tier status in finance.