All Cases
21 cases · 4 approved / sustained · 16 denied / dismissed · 1 remanded
Professor
Education · China
WeGreened EB-1A rfe approved
561 days 2025-09-22
The petitioner satisfied EB-1A criteria through a record of 18 peer-reviewed journal articles and 1,223 citations, placing him in the top 1% most-cited globally in his field. Additionally, he completed 18 peer reviews for leading academic journals and demonstrated the international adoption of his original methodologies by both academic and industry organizations.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Education · Iran
WeGreened EB-1A rfe approved
Massachusetts 112 days 2025-08-08
The petition was approved based on a strong record of 11 peer-reviewed journal articles and 444 citations, showing influence well above the field average. The petitioner also demonstrated significant professional standing through 26 completed manuscript reviews and 2 editorial roles. These achievements satisfied the EB-1A criteria for scholarly articles, judging, and original contributions.
Assistant Professor
Education · India
WeGreened EB-1A approved
Kansas 391 days 2025-04-16
The petition was approved based on 5 peer-reviewed journal articles and 277 citations from 32 countries, placing the applicant in the top 1% of his field. Additionally, the petitioner demonstrated professional leadership through 37 manuscript reviews and a role as a guest senior editor. The case satisfied the EB-1A criteria for scholarly articles, judging, and original contributions.
Lecturer
Education · Iran
WeGreened EB-1A approved
13 days 2025-04-01
The petition was approved based on 66 peer-reviewed articles and books with 4,419 citations, placing the petitioner in the top 0.1% of scholars. Evidence of 32 peer reviews and editorial board service satisfied the EB-1A criteria for judging and leadership roles. The case successfully demonstrated national and international acclaim through high-impact metrics and expert validation.
Historian
Education
USCIS EB-1A dismissed
2025-03-12
The Petitioner failed to provide evidence that his two books were published in professional or major trade publications or other major media, thus not meeting the scholarly articles criterion. His Rabbinical Certificate was not accepted as a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award for excellence. The AAO did not evaluate the remaining two claimed criteria (original contributions and leading/critical role) as the Petitioner could not numerically meet the required three criteria. The record, in aggregate, did not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Associate Professor
Education
USCIS EB-1A rfe dismissed
2025-02-05
The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to meet the initial evidentiary requirement of either a one-time achievement or at least three of the ten regulatory criteria. Specifically, the AAO found she only met the 'scholarly articles' criterion, failing to demonstrate eligibility for 'lesser prizes or awards,' 'membership,' 'judging,' 'original contributions of major significance,' or 'high salary.' The decision emphasized that her work, while showing potential, did not establish *already realized* major significance or sustained national/international acclaim, which is required for individuals at the very top of their field.
Professor
Education
USCIS EB-1A dismissed
2024-11-13
The motion to reopen was dismissed because it failed to state new facts supported by documentary evidence, as required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2). The motion to reconsider was dismissed because it did not establish that the AAO's latest decision misapplied law or policy. Specifically, the Petitioner's reliance on Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo was deemed misplaced, as that ruling applies to federal courts' deference to agency interpretations of statutes, not to agencies' interpretations of their own regulations, which remain subject to Auer deference. Furthermore, alleged factual errors were found to be immaterial to the decision's analysis.
Professor
Education
USCIS EB-1A dismissed
2024-10-22
The AAO dismissed the motions because the Petitioner failed to provide evidence of intent to work as a postsecondary teacher at the time of filing, such as letters from prospective employers, prearranged commitments, or a detailed statement of plans. Evidence submitted largely related to events after the January 2013 filing date, which is not considered. The Petitioner's SJD degree and part-time research assistant experience were deemed insufficient to establish intent or experience as a postsecondary teacher. Prior petitions claiming intent to work as a self-employed lawyer were also noted.
Teacher
Education
USCIS EB-1A dismissed
2024-09-27
The motions were dismissed as untimely filed. The latest motion decision was issued on March 18, 2024, and the Petitioner filed the current motions on May 20, 2024, which was 63 days later, exceeding the 33-day filing deadline. Although the delay was attributed to a dishonored check, the Petitioner failed to demonstrate that the delay was reasonable and beyond his control as required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(1). For the motion to reconsider, there is no regulatory authority to extend the 33-day time limit.
Assistant Professor
Education
USCIS EB-1A dismissed
2024-09-24
The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to overcome the Director's analysis. Specifically, the petitioner abandoned claims for awards and high salary. She did not provide evidence that her memberships required outstanding achievements judged by nationally or internationally recognized experts. Furthermore, she failed to demonstrate that publications about her work were of the regulatory required types, or that her original contributions significantly impacted the field through incremental recognition. Finally, she did not adequately show she performed in a leading or critical role of significance to the entity.