Published AAO appeal decisions

Forester self-petitioner claims extraordinary ability. Asserted awards and membership criteria. AAO found certificates of training completion do not constitute nationally recognized excellence awards, and professional licensing does not meet membership criterion. Aggregate evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim.

Agricultural specialist in hybrid rice production sought EB-1A classification. Claimed awards criterion through scholarship and job appointment. AAO found scholarship lacks evidence of elite recognition and job appointment does not qualify. Overall record fails to demonstrate sustained acclaim placing petitioner at very top of field.

Seafood industry specialist claimed awards and published material criteria. The AAO found nomination without receipt of award insufficient, and abstracts or articles with limited focus on petitioner did not meet the published material criterion. Overall evidence failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim at the field's top.

A restaurant filed an EB-1A petition for a French-style cook, and the service center denied it for lack of extraordinary ability. The petitioner did not challenge the denial reasons or supply the promised brief or evidence. The AAO dismissed because sustained acclaim and top-of-field standing were not shown. No individual criteria were analyzed.

Plant physiology researcher sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner submitted fraudulent and altered documents including a falsified prize certificate. AAO found knowing submission of fraudulent documents and dismissed appeal with fraud finding.

Cook sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed awards, membership, judging experience, and exhibitions. AAO found early awards lacked sustained acclaim, membership and judging criteria not met, and exhibitions not demonstrated at exclusive national venues. Record also lacked evidence of intent to continue work in United States.

Self-represented chef claiming extraordinary ability through Chinese cuisine awards, association membership, publication, judging participation and food exhibitions. AAO found awards unverified, membership routine, article improperly translated, judging invitation unsubstantiated, and venues for displays unidentified, failing to show sustained top-tier acclaim.

Self-petitioned cook claimed extraordinary ability through membership and exhibitions of culinary creations. AAO dismissed, finding fewer than three regulatory criteria met and no sustained national or international acclaim at very top of field.

Food scientist claimed extraordinary ability through membership, publications, judging, and other criteria. AAO rejected membership, published material in directories, and editorial judging as insufficient. Letters from colleagues in single province not national experts. Overall evidence fails to show sustained national acclaim or presence at top level.

A food scientist sought extraordinary ability via EB-1A. Claimed academic degrees, certification, publications, cookbook authorship, and conference presentations. AAO dismissed, finding no criteria met and evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim at top of field.