Date of Decision: February 13, 2020
Service Center: Nebraska Service Center
Form Type: Form I-140
Case Type: EB1 Extraordinary Ability
Petitioner Information
Profession: Rowing Coach
Field: Rowing
Nationality: Not specified
Summary of Decision
Initial Decision: Denied
Appeal Outcome: Denied
Evidentiary Criteria Analysis
Criteria Met
Leading or Critical Role: The Petitioner played a leading role as a coach for the national team and various rowing associations.
Awards or Prizes: The Petitioner received several medals as a rower, including a silver medal at the 2006 Rowing Championships, a bronze medal at the 2008 Rowing Championships, and a bronze medal at the 2014 National Championship.
Membership in Associations: The Petitioner was a member of the national rowing teams, which required outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.
Criteria Not Met
Judging the Work of Others: The Petitioner served as a licensed national umpire for various regattas. However, the evidence did not demonstrate that his role as an umpire involved judging the work or skill of other rowers. The documentation provided did not establish that umpiring regattas required evaluating or judging the work of others, as opposed to enforcing race rules and ensuring sportsmanlike conditions.
Key Points from the Decision
Awards and Prizes Won:
Summary of findings: The Petitioner provided evidence of receiving medals at national and international competitions, satisfying this criterion.
Published Materials About the Petitioner:
Summary of findings: The Petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that published materials about him were in major trade or professional publications or other major media.
Original Contributions of Major Significance:
Summary of findings: The Petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate original contributions of major significance in the field. The letters lacked specific details on how the contributions significantly influenced the field.
Participation as a Judge:
Summary of findings: The Petitioner served as an umpire at various regattas, but this role did not meet the criterion of judging the work of others.
Membership in Associations:
Summary of findings: The Petitioner demonstrated membership in national rowing teams, satisfying this criterion.
Authorship of Scholarly Articles:
Summary of findings: No evidence provided.
Leading or Critical Role Performed:
Summary of findings: The Petitioner played a leading role as a coach for national and rowing associations, satisfying this criterion.
Artistic Exhibitions or Showcases:
Summary of findings: No evidence provided.
Evidence of High Salary or Remuneration:
Summary of findings: No evidence provided.
Commercial Successes in the Performing Arts:
Summary of findings: No evidence provided.
Supporting Documentation
Award Materials: Provided and established national or international recognition.
Articles and Publications: Did not meet the required standards for major media coverage.
Letters from Colleagues and Organizations: Praised the Petitioner’s work but lacked sufficient detail to demonstrate major significance or critical roles.
Salary Documentation: Insufficient for establishing high remuneration.
Conclusion
Final Determination: The appeal is dismissed.
Reasoning: The Petitioner met three of the criteria but did not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that he is among the small percentage at the very top of his field. The totality of the evidence did not support a finding of the required acclaim and recognition for the classification sought.
Next Steps: The Petitioner must provide more substantial and specific evidence to meet the criteria for extraordinary ability classification.
