Published AAO appeal decisions

A graphic designer and creative services manager sought EB-1A extraordinary ability status. He claimed four criteria and met three of the initial evidentiary requirements. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding he failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or standing among the small percentage at the top of the creative field.

Professor and researcher in law petitioned for extraordinary ability. Director found two criteria met (judging and scholarly articles). On appeal, petitioner claimed two additional criteria (published material and original contributions), both rejected. Appeal dismissed; only two criteria met, three required. Insufficient sustained acclaim evidence.

Filmmaker and director sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three initial evidentiary criteria including published material, judging participation, and exhibition of work at film festivals. AAO dismissed appeal holding final merits analysis failed: evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or position among small percentage at top of field.

Information technology professional specializing in cloud computing and email security met three evidentiary criteria but failed final merits determination. Recent media recognition and publication history do not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among top of field.

Business executive and luxury furniture company co-founder self-petitioner claimed three criteria. AAO found two criteria met but concluded aggregate evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained acclaim or extraordinary ability required for EB-1A classification.

Self-petitioner marketing and management professional seeking NIW for small business consulting startup in Florida. Claimed substantial merit and national importance under Dhanasar. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed consulting work lacks national importance; insufficient evidence of substantial economic benefits beyond company and future clientele.

Food scientist with bachelor's degree equivalent seeking NIW for food safety and production work. AAO affirmed denial because proposed work, though meritorious, lacks national importance. Impact limited to specific employers; no evidence of broader field or economic effects.

An IT marketing professional sought EB-2 national interest waiver classification. The petitioner argued her marketing and consulting work had national importance under Dhanasar. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the specific endeavor lacked sufficient national importance or projected economic impact, and did not analyze the remaining Dhanasar prongs.

An interior designer design director claimed four criteria: awards, published material, original contributions, and leading role. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding three criteria met and determining the totality of evidence demonstrated sustained acclaim and that petitioner qualified for extraordinary ability classification.

A singer withdrew an appeal after the AAO identified willful misrepresentation of material facts. The petitioner submitted altered trophy images, falsified magazine articles, and fictitious media coverage to support claimed awards and published material criteria. AAO entered a finding of fraud that may render the petitioner inadmissible in future proceedings.

A finance business partner claimed four additional criteria beyond two already met by the service center. The AAO agreed she met judging and critical role criteria but rejected membership claims. With only two criteria met instead of three required, the petition failed. Appeal dismissed.

A computational imaging researcher and hardware engineer sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming six criteria. The AAO found three met: judging, scholarly articles and original contributions. It dismissed the appeal at the final merits step because the record showed transitory recognition from graduate research rather than sustained acclaim.

A radiologist self-petitioner claimed seven EB-1A criteria. The AAO found three criteria satisfied: judging, scholarly articles, and high salary. The AAO rejected membership, original contributions, and leading critical role as not meeting the standard. The petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

A writer and poker lecturer with mathematical doctorates self-petitioned for extraordinary ability. Claimed five criteria (published material, judging, original contributions, scholarly articles, leading role). AAO found no criteria satisfied; publications lacked major media status, articles not in major trade publications, no top-field recognition. Appeal dismissed.

A finance minority business coach sought EB-1A. Met judging and leading critical role criteria. Additional claims for awards, membership, and published material rejected. Only two of three required criteria satisfied. No sustained national acclaim or top-field status demonstrated despite claimed contributions.

Engineer and researcher sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claiming new equation and research publications demonstrate landmark advances. AAO dismissed appeal holding petitioner failed threshold requirement of sustained national or international acclaim from others in the field; self-assessment of importance does not constitute required recognition.

An illustrator and street artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed six criteria plus comparable evidence. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding at least three criteria met, sustained national acclaim established, extensive documentation provided, and prospective work benefit to the United States shown.

A filmmaker who mainly worked as a first assistant director sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming several evidentiary criteria. The AAO found only judging and exhibitions satisfied, rejecting the others, and dismissed the appeal because the record did not show sustained acclaim or standing among the small percentage at the very top.

Master mariner and specialist surveyor seeking extraordinary ability classification. Claims seven criteria; AAO affirms director's finding of only one met criterion and dismisses appeal. Petitioner failed three-criterion threshold; awards lack national recognition, membership requires only experience, published material insufficient, original contributions outside field of endeavor.

Research associate in cellular and molecular carcinogenesis mechanisms claimed three criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and original contributions. AAO affirmed judging and scholarly articles met but reversed original contributions finding. On final merits, sustained national or international acclaim insufficient to demonstrate extraordinary ability.

An IT project manager with a doctorate sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification, claiming five criteria. The AAO found only two criteria met (fewer than the required three), dismissed the appeal, and concluded the petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim and top-tier standing in the field.

Business executive and consulting company CEO seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed four criteria beyond leading role already established by Director. AAO found only leading role criterion met, rejected awards and published material claims, and concluded insufficient evidence of placement among top of field.

Interactive multimedia producer and founder seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found petitioner met only two criteria: awards and judging. Rejected membership claim. Dismissed appeal because evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim and position among field's elite.

Process engineer sought national interest waiver under Dhanasar framework. Petitioner qualified as advanced degree holder but failed first prong. Work involved process engineering for employer clients, not broader implications for field or national economy. No sufficient evidence of projected U.S. job creation or substantial economic effects.

Event management professional claimed five criteria on appeal after Director found only one met. AAO rejected membership and published material; found petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim or position among top of field.