Date of Decision: September 7, 2016
Service Center: Texas Service Center
Form Type: Form I-140
Case Type: EB1 Extraordinary Ability
Petitioner Information
Profession: Sailing Coach
Field: Athletics
Nationality: Venezuela
Summary of Decision
Initial Decision: Denied
Appeal Outcome: Approved
Evidentiary Criteria Analysis
Criteria Met:
- Published Material: The petitioner provided an article from a newspaper discussing his training and coaching of Venezuelan sailors and his plans for their competition at international events.
- Leading or Critical Role: The petitioner served as a head coach for the Venezuelan national team, with a distinguished reputation for training athletes who qualified for significant competitions.
- Membership in Associations: The petitioner was a member of the national sailing team, which requires outstanding achievements and approval by recognized experts in the field.
Criteria Not Met:
- The document does not specify any criteria explicitly not met, but the initial denial indicates other criteria were not considered fulfilled initially.
Key Points from the Decision
Awards and Prizes Won:
The petitioner’s athletes achieved various medals under his coaching:
- Multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals from 2010 to 2015.
- Notable achievements include qualifying a sailor for the 2016 competitions.
Published Materials About the Petitioner:
An article highlighted the petitioner’s significant role and expertise in training Venezuelan sailors, emphasizing his plans and the impact of his coaching.
Original Contributions of Major Significance:
The petitioner was credited for his coaching achievements and the success of his athletes in international competitions, which demonstrates his extraordinary ability.
Participation as a Judge:
Not mentioned in the document.
Membership in Associations:
The petitioner’s membership required outstanding achievements and was approved by experts based on his coaching status and national ranking.
Authorship of Scholarly Articles:
Not mentioned in the document.
Leading or Critical Role Performed:
The petitioner played a leading role as a head coach, contributing to the success and international recognition of the Venezuelan sailing team.
Artistic Exhibitions or Showcases:
Not applicable.
Evidence of High Salary or Remuneration:
Not mentioned in the document.
Commercial Successes in the Performing Arts:
Not applicable.
Supporting Documentation
- Membership Letter: General Secretary’s letter confirming the petitioner’s national ranking and the criteria for membership.
- Published Articles: Several articles highlighting the petitioner’s coaching achievements and the success of his athletes.
- Awards: Two awards acknowledging the petitioner’s coaching success, particularly in qualifying a sailor for the 2016 competitions.
Conclusion
Final Determination: The petitioner demonstrated extraordinary ability as a sailing coach, evidenced by his national acclaim and the success of his athletes. The appeal was sustained, acknowledging the petitioner’s position among the top in his field.
Reasoning:
The petitioner’s documented success, national ranking, and impact on the field of sailing coaching in Venezuela established his extraordinary ability.
Next Steps:
The petitioner should continue to document and maintain evidence of his achievements and contributions to further support his extraordinary ability classification.
