Date of Decision: MAY 2, 2019
Service Center: Nebraska Service Center
Form Type: Form I-140
Case Type: EB1 Extraordinary Ability
Petitioner Information
Profession: Senior Manager
Field: Athletics (Weightlifting Event Management)
Nationality:
Summary of Decision
Initial Decision: Denied
Appeal Outcome: Denied
Evidentiary Criteria Analysis
Criteria Met:
- Leading or critical role: The Beneficiary was acknowledged for his critical role as a senior manager of events, organizing national and international weightlifting competitions.
Criteria Not Met:
- One-time achievement: The Beneficiary’s role was considered a job assignment rather than a major, internationally recognized award.
- Nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence: The Beneficiary’s role in managing weightlifting events was not recognized as a prize or award for excellence.
- Published material about the alien: Insufficient evidence that the publications were of major media or that they focused significantly on the Beneficiary’s contributions.
- Participation as a judge: The Beneficiary did not participate as a judge or in a similar capacity that met the regulatory criteria.
Key Points from the Decision
Leading or critical role performed: The Beneficiary’s significant role in managing high-profile weightlifting events was recognized, but this alone did not fulfill the requirements for extraordinary ability classification.
Participation as a Judge: While the Beneficiary played a crucial role in organizing and managing weightlifting competitions, there was no evidence of him judging the work of others, which is a specific criterion for this visa category.
Supporting Documentation
- Documentation was provided showing the Beneficiary’s role and responsibilities in significant weightlifting events.
- Letters and briefs arguing the Beneficiary’s impact and role were included, but were insufficient to meet the evidentiary standards required.
Conclusion
Final Determination: The appeal was dismissed as the Beneficiary did not meet the required criteria for extraordinary ability under the EB-1 classification.
Reasoning: Despite significant contributions to weightlifting event management, the Beneficiary did not fulfill enough criteria to demonstrate extraordinary ability as defined by USCIS regulations.
Next Steps: The petitioner may consider other visa categories or further documentation to meet the extraordinary ability criteria in future applications.
