Case Study: AAO dismissed an EB1-A Appeal of a Petition for an Alien Scholar and Historian

by Victoria Chen, Esq., J.D.

Background: The petitioner is involved in the performing arts. It seeks to classify the beneficiary as an employment-based immigrant pursuant to section 203(b)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act as an alien of extraordinary ability in the arts. Specifically, the petitioner seeks to classify the beneficiary as an alien with extraordinary ability as a choreographer.

USCIS Decision: The director determined the petitioner had not established that the beneficiary qualifies for classification as an alien of extraordinary ability.

Submitted Evidence This petition seeks to classify the petitioner as a alien with extraordinary ability as a writer and literary scholar. The record contains numerous letters attesting to the petitioner’s scholarly achievements. The petition asserts that the petitioner is an extraordinary writer, literary scholar and historian who has gained national and international acclaim through the publication of his book and articles on the Holocaust and the Jewish Resistance Movement, and his lectures in the former Soviet Union and the United States. The petition states that the petitioner has published numerous articles and books about the Holocaust and has presented his work at various linguistic and literary conferences. Counsel further states that the petitioner was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship attached to the Slavic Department of The Ohio State University doing research and reading lectures in 1994. As noted by the director in his decision, the record establishes that the petitioner possesses an outstanding knowledge of Yiddish, Polish and German literature.

AAO’s Decision: The AAO stated that the petitioner may have submitted documentation to establish that he meets more than three of the ten requirements found at 8 C.F.R.204.5(h)(3). However, the AAO continued that even if this were established, the petitioner’s reliance on simply meeting a set number of criteria is misplaced. The submission of documentation relating to at least three of the various kinds of evidence listed does not necessarily establish that an alien has achieved sustained national or international acclaim or recognition, and does not mandate a finding of eligibility.

The AAO found that the petitioner has established that he has published scholarly articles in his field of endeavor. However, the evidence presented does not establish that the petitioner is within the small percentage at the very top of his field of endeavor. Therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

from Chen Immigration Law Associates

North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) is a U.S. immigration law firm dedicated to representing corporations, research institutions, and individuals from all 50 U.S. states regarding I-140 immigration petitions. We specialize in employment-based immigration petition and have a proven record of high success rate for the categories of: EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver), EB1-A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability), EB1-B (Outstanding Researcher/Professor) and O-1 (Alien of Extraordinary Ability).

Our Ten Thousand I-140 Approvals Provide Unprecedented Insight into the USCIS Adjudication Trend

With more than 16,000 EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-2 NIW and O-1 cases approved, we have first hand information on the manner in which the USCIS adjudicate I-140 cases. As the USCIS has constantly changed its adjudication standards for the EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-2 NIW categories, our firm's huge database of successful cases gives you unprecedented insight to USCIS adjudication trends. We carefully analyze the data for all of our cases and apply the results of our analyses toward giving our clients up-to-date advice and adapting our strategies such that we remain on par with the ever-shifting landscape of immigration law in the U.S. With us, you will always have access to important updates, strategies, and information so that you can make the most informed decisions about your case.

We Have Helped Hundreds and Thousands of Clients with Credentials and Backgrounds Similar to Yours

With our exceedingly large number of successful petitions, no matter what credentials you have, no matter your background and field of expertise, no matter your visa status or nationality, chances are we have helped hundreds or even thousands of clients just like you. Our clients are usually impressed with how well we understand their research and work. Our insight and understanding stems from the fact that we have handled many cases with elements similar to yours already, and this helps us devise the best strategies for each individual petition.

Vast Majority of Clients Came to Us Because of Referrals

For years, our firm has attracted new clients based solely on word of mouth, recommendations, and the positive collaboration experiences shared with them by their friends and family. We take pride in our reputation and work hard to ensure that we provide a green card application experience that our clients are happy to share with their friends and colleagues. That is how our approved cases grew from 600 in 2013 to over 3,500 in 2019.



If you are interested in filing the green card, please send your CV to law@wegreened.com for our free evaluation. Our attorneys will email you back with the evaluation result within 24 hours.

Approval Notices: https://www.wegreened.com/eb1_niw_approvals

Success Stories: https://www.wegreened.com/blog/

Website: www.wegreened.com

Free evaluation email: law@wegreened.com

Tel: 888.666.0969 (Toll Free)


To see more clients’ testimonials and approvals, please refer to:

Client's Testimonials

Approval Notices

To Learn More About Your Options CLICK HERE


Copyright © North America Immigration Law GroupWeGreened.com, All Rights Reserved.