Published AAO appeal decisions

Self-represented biomedical researcher claiming EB-1A extraordinary ability. Addressed awards and membership criteria. AAO found fellowship awards lacked national or international recognition and AACR membership did not require outstanding achievement. Final merits assessment negative.

Economic and political consultant claiming extraordinary ability under EB-1A. Petitioner submitted evidence of awards and association memberships but failed to establish they met regulatory criteria. Awards were not nationally or internationally recognized; memberships lacked evidence of outstanding achievement requirements. AAO dismissed appeal for insufficient extraordinary ability.

Self-represented petitioner seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. On appeal, AAO discovered petitioner submitted fraudulent letters in response to RFE. AAO found willful material misrepresentation and dismissed appeal with fraud finding, concluding achievements do not meet extraordinary ability standard.

A petitioner in the media and visual arts seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. Claimed multiple criteria including awards and published material. AAO found awards not nationally recognized and limited to students, published material lacking, and overall evidence insufficient to show sustained acclaim at top level.

Researcher, historian, political scientist, and educator sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed multiple criteria including awards, membership, and published material but failed to meet regulatory requirements. AAO upheld denial, finding evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement at the very top of the field.

Television drama director sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Although petitioner met one criterion by receiving a nationally recognized award, counsel could not establish three criteria. AAO found evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim needed for the small percentage at the very top of the field.

Songwriter and musician sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Counsel asserted all ten regulatory criteria but made frivolous claims. AAO found record did not establish that petitioner distinguished himself to achieve sustained national or international acclaim or placement in small percentage at very top of field.

An academic researcher sought extraordinary ability status. The AAO found his career development award reflected only institutional recognition, his professional membership did not require outstanding achievement, and his evidence failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

Employer-sponsored EB-1A petition. Beneficiary claimed awards and published material criteria. AAO found awards lacked national or international recognition for excellence and published article was insufficient. Appeal dismissed; petitioner failed to establish extraordinary ability or sustained acclaim.

Biostatistician claimed five EB-1A criteria. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards, and other criteria claimed on appeal were insufficient to meet extraordinary ability standard.

A musician, guitarist, songwriter and producer filed for EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner submitted album sales plaques but failed to establish they were primarily attributable to his work or constituted nationally recognized awards. The AAO found achievements not persuasively placed him significantly above almost all others in music field.