Published AAO appeal decisions

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 self-represented athlete sought EB-1A classification and was denied for lack of sustained acclaim. The appeal form requested time to translate documents and promised more evidence, but nothing arrived after eleven months. Because no specific error of law or fact was identified, the AAO summarily dismissed the appeal without analyzing criteria.

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.

A self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in athletics. The AAO found that counsel never specified which regulatory criteria were met, analyzed the most applicable evidence under awards criterion, and concluded neither the scholarship nor collegiate awards demonstrated sustained acclaim at the very top, dismissing the appeal.

Competitive shooter and shooting instructor claiming extraordinary ability in athletics. Petitioner presented awards from competitive shooting career but no evidence of sustained acclaim or student awards during six years preceding petition. AAO held prior competitive achievements insufficient without evidence of sustained excellence or teaching at highest levels.