Published AAO appeal decisions

A foreign language instructor seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in education. He claimed six of ten regulatory criteria were met. The AAO found awards, published material, and judging criteria unmet under the plain language requirements and comparable evidence rules. The petition was dismissed because the petitioner failed to establish the requisite level of sustained acclaim.

Self-petitioner anthropologist sought EB-1A classification claiming awards, publications, original contributions, exhibitions, and leading role. Most criteria raised for first time on appeal without clear connection to anthropology field. Petitioner failed three-criterion threshold; appeal dismissed.

Rural sociology Ph.D. holder claiming extraordinary ability in creativity studies. Raised awards criterion for first time on appeal asserting conference recognition, organizational appointment, and book adoption. None established as qualifying nationally or internationally recognized prizes. Appeal dismissed.

A professor sought extraordinary ability classification in business. After an earlier untimely appeal was rejected and a motion denied, a new appeal was filed. Counsel received one extension and was refused another without good cause. The AAO summarily dismissed the appeal because it identified no specific error in the denial. No criteria were analyzed.

Instructional technology researcher sought extraordinary ability classification. Met two of ten required criteria: judging through peer review and scholarly articles. Decision held that contributions lacked major field-wide significance despite specialization in online distance education, failing to demonstrate sustained acclaim required for extraordinary ability.