Date of Decision: February 15, 2023
Service Center: Nebraska Service Center
Form Type: Form I-140
Case Type: EB1 Extraordinary Ability
Petitioner Information
Profession: Sombo and Judo Champion
Field: Martial Arts
Nationality: [Nationality Not Specified]
Summary of Decision
Initial Decision: Denied
Appeal Outcome: Denied
Evidentiary Criteria Analysis
Criteria Met:
- Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor:
- The petitioner provided evidence of winning national and international awards in sombo and judo.
- Published material about the individual in professional or major media:
- The petitioner submitted published articles and media coverage highlighting his achievements in martial arts.
Criteria Not Met:
- Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements of their members:
- The petitioner claimed membership in three organizations, including the International Judo Federation (IJF) and USA Judo. However, the petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence that these organizations require outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts for membership.
Key Points from the Decision
Awards and Prizes Won:
- The petitioner’s achievements in sombo and judo were recognized through several awards. However, these did not meet the threshold of a major, internationally recognized award required for a one-time achievement criterion.
Published Materials About the Petitioner:
- Media coverage and articles about the petitioner’s accomplishments were provided, satisfying the criterion for published material in professional or major media.
Membership in Associations:
- Membership cards from IJF and USA Judo were submitted, but the evidence did not establish that these memberships were based on outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts, as required by the regulations.
Supporting Documentation
- IJF Identification Card: Authorized participation in IJF events but lacked evidence of membership requirements based on outstanding achievements.
- USA Judo Membership Card: No evidence provided on eligibility requirements related to outstanding achievements.
- Letters and Membership Cards from Republic of Moldova: Confirmed titles but insufficient evidence of eligibility requirements for these titles.
Conclusion
Final Determination: Appeal Dismissed
Reasoning:
- The petitioner did not meet the initial evidence requirements for extraordinary ability classification, failing to satisfy at least three of the ten regulatory criteria.
- The appeal did not provide new evidence or adequately address the deficiencies identified in the initial decision.
Next Steps:
- The petitioner may consider gathering additional evidence to meet the required criteria, such as detailed documentation of eligibility requirements for memberships or further recognition in his field.
- Seeking legal advice to better understand the specific evidence needed to satisfy the EB1 extraordinary ability requirements may also be beneficial.
