Published AAO appeal decisions

Assistant professor of international studies sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. Director approved first prong but denied second prong. AAO reversed, withdrawing national importance finding due to vague endeavor description and unclear future employment, and affirmed failure on second prong regarding positioning.

Ecology thought leader and activist claimed extraordinary ability through published material, original contributions, and leading critical role. AAO found published material criterion not met due to translation issues and publications not qualifying as major media. Without three criteria met, petitioner failed initial evidence requirement and lacked demonstrated sustained acclaim.

Bioethicist with Ph.D. seeking NIW for university faculty and ethics consultation role. First prong met but second and third prongs failed because training was incomplete at filing, petitioner was not yet independent researcher, and lacked sufficient track record of successful research.

Teacher with advanced degree sought NIW waiver for EB-2 classification to teach English language learners. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar first prong; teacher's work, though meritorious, impacts only specific school, not education field broadly or U.S. economy nationally.

Teacher sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification and NIW. AAO dismissed: petitioner did not meet three of six exceptional ability criteria and failed underlying classification. Additionally, AAO found petitioner willfully misrepresented authorship of four publications submitted as evidence.

Urban planning researcher with PhD sought NIW for research in sustainable urban planning and environmental justice. AAO affirmed Director's denial: first prong met but second prong failed because petitioner lacked evidence of success, implementation, or influence in the field despite research experience and publications.

Youth minister seeks NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. Claimed substantial merit and national importance of providing youth outreach ministerial services addressing mental health and opioid epidemic. AAO found no national importance; work lacks evidence of significant potential economic effects or broader field impact beyond specific clientele.

Education specialist sought national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding the proposed endeavor of professionalizing teachers lacked sufficient specificity and documentation to meet the first prong of Dhanasar framework requiring substantial merit and national importance. AAO also found willful material misrepresentation regarding professional research experience.

Elementary school teacher seeks NIW for classroom instruction in special education and Portuguese language, plus hypothetical cultural center activities. AAO held classroom teaching and curriculum development lack national importance because one additional teacher does not mitigate workforce shortage or provide discernible impact.

A physics teacher sought NIW for EB-2 classification. The AAO held that while science education has aggregate national importance, one teacher's classroom and supplemental professional development work lacks the national importance required; addressing teacher shortages is the purpose of labor certification, not NIW.

Teacher with master's degree seeking EB-2 national interest waiver for public school ELL instruction role. AAO dismissed appeal, finding his proposed teaching work, despite merit and addressing teacher shortage, lacks national importance because it would not impact education field broadly beyond his particular school.

Computer science graduate seeking EB-2 national interest waiver claimed intent to teach business courses or work as financial analyst to combat cyberattacks. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to clearly identify a specific proposed endeavor and any such endeavor lacked national importance or prospective economic impact.

A human resources and labor researcher and professor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She claimed five criteria. The AAO affirmed denial, finding she satisfied only judging and scholarly articles, failing to meet the three-criterion threshold and showing no sustained national or international acclaim characteristic of the top tier.

Instructional technologist with Ph.D. seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. Petitioner established first prong of Dhanasar framework for substantial merit and national importance of proposed endeavor. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed second prong; evidence did not demonstrate adequate record of success or that others in field recognize his work sufficiently.