Published AAO appeal decisions

A restaurant petitioned for an executive chef's O-1A classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal on procedural grounds: signature discrepancies on Form G-28 and Form I-290B prevented recognition of counsel and the appeal itself, rendering the merits unreachable.

This is an O-2 decision, not O-1A. The decision concerns whether a beneficiary seeking O-2 status as an accompanying individual to an O-1 artist met the requirement of entering solely to assist the O-1. The AAO dismissed the motion, finding the beneficiary worked independently and did not establish the exclusive accompanying purpose required.

The petitioner sought O-1A classification for extraordinary ability in the arts. On appeal, the petitioner failed to identify any specific erroneous conclusion of law or fact in the service center's denial and did not submit the promised brief or evidence. The AAO summarily dismissed the appeal for lack of substantive appellate argument.

O-1A petition dismissed on appeal. Beneficiary's field of endeavor not articulated by petitioner. Decision emphasizes petitioner failed to identify specific field and did not meet evidentiary thresholds for extraordinary ability classification.

A horse trainer sought O-1A classification in the arts. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the beneficiary's work training cutting horses falls under athletics or business, not the arts as claimed. The petition was filed under the wrong visa category and no evidence was submitted for the correct criteria.

O-1A petition dismissed due to procedural defect: petitioner signed certification on supplemental form but AAO notes self-petitioning is prohibited under O-1 regulations and petitioner failed to provide valid signature on Form I-129 Part 7. No substantive analysis of extraordinary ability criteria reached.

A self-represented individual sought special immigrant classification as a battered spouse of a U.S. citizen, not an O-1A visa. The AAO dismissed the appeal because she did not establish that she suffered battery or extreme cruelty or that she has good moral character, lacking supporting documentation.

A self-represented individual filed a self-petition as the battered spouse of a U.S. citizen, not an O-1A petition. The director denied it for lack of proof of abuse and good moral character. The AAO dismissed the appeal because unsupported statements and missing police clearances failed to meet the burden of proof.