Date of Decision: November 6, 2024
Service Center: Texas Service Center
Form Type: Form I-140
Case Type: EB-1 Extraordinary Ability
Petitioner Information
Profession: Economist
Field: Economics and Macroeconomic Research
Nationality: Not specified in the document
Summary of Decision
Initial Decision: Denied
Appeal Outcome: Sustained
Evidentiary Criteria Analysis
The petitioner claimed to meet five of the ten regulatory criteria under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3). Upon review, the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) determined that the petitioner satisfied the criteria and demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim.
Criteria Met:
- Receipt of Lesser Nationally or Internationally Recognized Prizes or Awards:
- The petitioner received multiple awards for excellence in economics, including a 2019 award from an international economic organization.
- Published Material About the Petitioner:
- Media articles discussing the petitioner’s contributions to macroeconomic policy were submitted and found to meet this criterion.
- Participation as a Judge of the Work of Others:
- The petitioner served as a reviewer for multiple journals and economic forums, including evaluations for national economic policy initiatives.
- Original Contributions of Major Significance:
- The petitioner developed innovative models for economic forecasting, widely adopted by policymakers and academic institutions.
- Authorship of Scholarly Articles:
- Over 100 scholarly articles and books authored by the petitioner were presented, spanning a career of over 20 years in the field.
Key Points from the Decision
Sustained National and International Acclaim:
- The petitioner demonstrated a career spanning over two decades, with continuous recognition through awards, media coverage, and contributions to the field of economics.
Comprehensive Final Merits Determination:
- The AAO found that the petitioner’s body of work, including publications, awards, and leadership roles, demonstrated he is among the small percentage at the very top of his field.
Errors in Director’s Initial Analysis:
- The Director’s decision incorrectly limited the evaluation of the petitioner’s achievements to specific timeframes, disregarding substantial evidence of sustained acclaim.
Supporting Documentation
Award Evidence: Multiple awards for excellence in economics, including international recognition.
Published Material Evidence: Media articles and professional publications discussing the petitioner’s work.
Judging Evidence: Documentation of peer-review activities and participation in national policy evaluations.
Authorship Evidence: Over 100 scholarly articles and books authored, with citation metrics demonstrating significant impact.
Conclusion
Final Determination: The appeal was sustained.
Reasoning:
The petitioner met five regulatory criteria under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3) and demonstrated sustained national and international acclaim. The evidence established the petitioner’s extraordinary ability and potential to substantially benefit the United States through his continued work in economics.
