Published AAO appeal decisions

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.

Female athlete in running claims extraordinary ability. Presented evidence of race placements and local organization membership. AAO found no major award, membership failed to show outstanding achievement requirement, and overall record lacks sustained national or international acclaim at top level. Appeal dismissed.

Professional baseball player seeking EB-1A. Claimed single award, Major League Baseball membership, and high salary. AAO found award temporally distant, membership based on employment rather than achievement, and salary documentation not temporally relevant. Overall evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim at the very top.

Taekwondo competitor and coach self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to establish any criterion and lacked sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of his field as competitor or coach.

Hypnotherapist and entertainer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to meet any of the regulatory criteria and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim placing him at the very top of his field.

Martial artist and Tai Chi coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner achieved success as a competitor decades earlier but failed to sustain acclaim through subsequent coaching work and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level.

Self-petitioner in sports sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed receipt of lesser awards and association membership. AAO found petitioner failed to meet criteria and provided insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or intent to continue in field.

Self-petitioner initially approved for EB-1A extraordinary ability, then revocation proceeding initiated. Met awards criterion but failed membership and published material criteria. AAO sustained revocation, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at very top of field.

An EB-1A petitioner (karate instructor or referee) claimed to meet at least three criteria. The AAO found awards and membership criteria unmet due to insufficient evidence of their requirements and significance. Overall evidence did not show sustained acclaim placing petitioner among the very top.

Professional cyclist and coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim; regional race wins and local team memberships insufficient to show extraordinary ability at the very top of the field.

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.

A runner petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim. Evidence of awards and team selections did not meet the criteria when evaluated for their indicative value of sustained acclaim at the highest level.

Sports aerobics competitor and instructor claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. AAO held petitioner demonstrated only minimal evidence of two criteria, with issues regarding prestige of competitions and membership. Evidence insufficient for sustained acclaim at top level.

A karate competitor filed an EB-1A petition claiming extraordinary ability through awards, membership, media coverage, and judging criteria. The AAO found one criterion met but concluded the overall evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement in the small percentage at the very top of the field. Appeal dismissed.

Marathon runner sought EB-1A classification based on race medals and organizational memberships. Petitioner submitted photographs of awards and participation certificates without corroborating documentation. AAO found evidence showed participation in numerous marathons but no performance indicating national or international acclaim.

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.

Kickboxer sought EB-1A classification. Petitioner claimed awards and association membership criteria. AAO rejected awards as insufficiently recent or nationally recognized, and found association membership did not require outstanding achievement. Overall evidence insufficient to show extraordinary ability.

A swimmer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability in athletics. The AAO found the petitioner met the membership criterion via Russian national team participation but withdrew director's finding on awards after noting post-filing awards were ineligible. Overall, evidence of moderate success did not establish sustained international acclaim at the very top, dismissing the appeal.

Orienteering athlete and trainer claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. AAO found team membership satisfied one criterion but past competitive achievements lacked sustained acclaim. No evidence of continued recognition in decade before filing.

Self-petitioner in athletics sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification based on karate victories and training. AAO found one criterion met but insufficient evidence of national or international sustained acclaim or top-tier status, dismissing appeal.

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.

Equestrian professional seeking extraordinary ability classification in athletics. Petitioner met awards criterion through competitions in South America prior to 2003, but AAO found prize evidence diminished by lack of Grand Prix level success. Did not meet membership or published material criteria. Overall, evidence insufficient to demonstrate small percentage status at very top of field.

Ballroom dancer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in athletics. Petitioner claimed awards and membership in professional organization. AAO found one award criterion met but membership criterion not satisfied, and concluded evidence demonstrated talent but not sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level.

Mountain climber sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in athletics. Met awards criterion with presidential medal; failed membership and published material criteria. Evidence of only one criterion met insufficient; no demonstration of sustained national acclaim or top percentile of field.

Amateur natural bodybuilder seeks EB-1A. Decision holds petitioner failed to establish extraordinary ability despite claiming five criteria met. Awards from amateur competitions not nationally or internationally recognized; published article alone insufficient; membership based on local evaluation only. Amateur competition level inconsistent with very top of field.