Date of Decision: APR. 25, 2016
Service Center: Texas Service Center
Form Type: Form I-140
Case Type: EB1 Extraordinary Ability
Petitioner Information
Profession: Computer Scientist
Field: Computer Science
Nationality: India
Summary of Decision
Initial Decision: Denied
Appeal Outcome: Approved
Evidentiary Criteria Analysis
Criteria Met:
Participation as a judge of the work of others:
The petitioner peer-reviewed articles published in conference proceedings and authored 13 articles that appeared in scholarly publications.
Authorship of scholarly articles:
The petitioner authored 13 scholarly papers published in conference proceedings and academic journals, with significant citation metrics supporting their impact.
High salary or other remuneration for services:
The petitioner earned a salary nearly double the U.S. Department of Labor’s estimate for Level 4 Computer and Information Research Scientists, substantiated by his Forms W-2.
Criteria Not Met:
The document does not specify additional criteria not met as the petitioner satisfied the required three criteria for the appeal’s approval.
Key Points from the Decision
Awards and Prizes Won:
No specific awards or prizes were mentioned in the decision document.
Published Materials About the Petitioner:
Not detailed in the decision document.
Original Contributions of Major Significance:
The petitioner developed a tool widely requested by Ph.D. students and computer scientists, demonstrating its significant impact in the field.
Participation as a Judge:
The petitioner reviewed papers for conference proceedings and journals, with correspondence from editors praising the quality and instructive nature of his reviews.
Membership in Associations:
Not detailed in the decision document.
Authorship of Scholarly Articles:
The petitioner’s articles have been cited 574 times, with two articles garnering over 100 citations each, indicating significant interest and impact.
Leading or Critical Role Performed:
The petitioner led the mortgage-backed securities analytics service, an important platform for his employer’s trading desk, resulting in substantial financial savings and operational improvements.
Artistic Exhibitions or Showcases:
Not applicable.
Evidence of High Salary or Remuneration:
The petitioner earned a significantly high salary compared to peers, reinforcing his standing as a top professional in his field.
Commercial Successes in the Performing Arts:
Not applicable.
Supporting Documentation
- Forms W-2: Demonstrating the petitioner’s high salary relative to others in his field.
- Google Scholar Printout: Showing the number of citations to the petitioner’s articles.
- Reference Letters: From various professionals and academics corroborating the petitioner’s contributions and impact in the field.
- Emails from Ph.D. Students and Computer Scientists: Requesting access to a tool developed by the petitioner.
- Special Insert from Conference Proceedings: Explaining the preference for publication in conference proceedings over journals in the field of computer science.
Conclusion
Final Determination: Approved
Reasoning:
The petitioner demonstrated extraordinary ability in computer science by meeting at least three of the regulatory criteria and showcasing a level of expertise indicating he is among the top percentage in his field. The petitioner’s entry to the United States is expected to substantially benefit the country.
Next Steps:
The petitioner should continue to gather and present evidence of ongoing contributions and impact in their field to maintain and further establish their standing as an individual of extraordinary ability.
