Published AAO appeal decisions

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.

A gastroenterologist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability in the sciences. The AAO upheld the director's finding that the petitioner failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim at the very top, finding academic awards and a single video presentation insufficient, and dismissing the appeal.

A hotel administrator was the beneficiary of a petition seeking extraordinary ability classification. The director denied it for lack of evidence on any of the ten regulatory criteria. The appeal was summarily dismissed because the filer only said documents were misdirected and identified no error of law or fact in the denial.

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.

Architect and web designer claiming extraordinary ability in arts and design. Petitioner claimed meeting criteria for awards and published material based on work inclusion in design publications and books. AAO rejected awards claim and published material claim, finding neither establishment of nationally recognized prizes nor publications about petitioner; aggregate evidence insufficient.

A scientist in psychophysiology self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. She claimed four regulatory criteria but the AAO found she did not meet the awards or membership criteria, and letters of recommendation alone could not establish leading role. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of her field.

A young model claimed extraordinary ability through youth modeling competitions and newspaper features. The AAO found amateur awards at age fourteen do not indicate top-level achievement and newspaper coverage focused on career concerns rather than acclaim. Appeal dismissed for insufficient evidence of sustained extraordinary ability.

An arts professional sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification, and the director denied the petition for lack of sustained acclaim. On appeal, counsel said only that the evidence was undervalued and promised a brief that never came. The AAO summarily dismissed the appeal because no specific error was identified.

Basketball player with prior acclaim seeks EB-1A as coach. Decision holds petitioner demonstrated extraordinary ability as athlete but failed to show coaching is within area of expertise. Limited coaching experience (three months middle school, camp lectures) insufficient for sustained national or international acclaim in coaching, even considering overall pattern.

A dance troupe performer and musical director in Filipino folk music sought EB-1A classification. AAO held he failed to meet the awards criterion through certificates and scholarships, did not establish qualifying membership requirements, and lacked evidence of sustained acclaim at the very top of the field.

Self-petitioner athlete sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed awards, scholarly articles, and exhibitions criteria. AAO found awards lacked recognition beyond presenting organizations, single article insufficient for sustained acclaim requirement, and no evidence of significant artistic venue exhibitions. Appeal dismissed because petitioner failed three-criterion threshold.

A lute teacher self-petitioned for EB-1A classification claiming extraordinary ability in the arts. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to establish awards, judging, or scholarly articles criteria with evidence of national or international acclaim at the highest level required.

Model petitioner claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A through awards, published material, and original contributions. AAO upheld director's denial, finding competition limited to novices insufficient, publications predated filing, and no evidence original style influenced field significantly.

Soccer player claims extraordinary ability in athletics. Asserted awards, published material, and exhibition criteria. AAO found Second Division medals not highest level, runner-up trophies not nationally recognized, newspaper mentions not in major media, and exhibition criterion inapplicable to athletes. Evidence insufficient for sustained top-level acclaim.

Self-petitioner engineer of alpaca fleece equipment seeks extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, noting petitioner submitted minimal documentation unrelated to any criterion, single newspaper article insufficient, no patent documentation despite design role, and failure to demonstrate sustained national acclaim.

HIV/AIDS researcher filed self-petition claiming extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed awards, membership, and published material criteria. AAO found petitioner met only one criterion; three required. Appeal dismissed because petitioner failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim at top level.

A petitioner in the arts sought extraordinary ability classification. The director found sustained acclaim was not shown. On appeal, counsel only stated that evidence was sufficient and promised a later brief that never arrived. The AAO summarily dismissed the appeal for failure to identify any specific error. No criteria were analyzed.

Chinese opera stage designer and performer petitioner claimed awards, association membership, and published material recognition. AAO found awards lack national or international recognition standards, membership criteria not met, and photograph appearance without name insufficient to establish published material criterion.

Self-petitioner software developer claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A based on membership, published material, judging, and salary. AAO dismissed, finding petitioner did not meet three criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim at the top of the field.

Business strategist and developer claimed extraordinary ability in strategic brand management. AAO found evidence of talent but not sustained national or international acclaim or top-level status. Awards, publications, and influence claims all inadequately documented.

Orienteering athlete and trainer claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. AAO found team membership satisfied one criterion but past competitive achievements lacked sustained acclaim. No evidence of continued recognition in decade before filing.

A computer programmer, representing herself, sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification, and the service center denied the petition. On appeal she stated generally that her background was not fully considered and promised a brief that never came. The AAO summarily dismissed the appeal because no specific legal or factual error was identified.

Self-petitioner in athletics sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification based on karate victories and training. AAO found one criterion met but insufficient evidence of national or international sustained acclaim or top-tier status, dismissing appeal.

Self-petitioner former college athlete and runner sought EB-1A classification. AAO found collegiate awards insufficient for field of endeavor standard, published material not meeting criteria, and no sustained acclaim or evidence of continuing runner career.