Date of Decision: July 22, 2021
Service Center: Nebraska Service Center
Form Type: Form I-140
Case Type: EB-1B (Outstanding Professor or Researcher)
Petitioner Information
Profession: Designed Field Research Data Engineer
Field: Agricultural Engineering
Nationality: Not specified
Summary of Decision
Initial Decision: Denied
Appeal Outcome: Denied
Evidentiary Criteria Analysis
Criteria Met:
- Service as a Judge: The Beneficiary reviewed papers for multiple journals, including “Remote Sensing” and “Water,” and participated on grant review panels, demonstrating his role as a judge of the work of others.
- Original Contributions: The Beneficiary made significant research contributions, particularly in agricultural data modeling, though these contributions were not found to rise to the level of international recognition.
- Authorship of Scholarly Articles: The Beneficiary authored several articles published in respected journals like “Environmental Modelling & Software” and “Water,” which received citations, albeit not at a level sufficient to demonstrate outstanding international recognition.
Criteria Not Met:
- Awards and Prizes: The Beneficiary received a Blue Ribbon Award for a website related to agricultural engineering, but this award did not meet the standard for major international recognition.
- Membership in Associations: The Beneficiary held editorial roles in several journals, but the petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence that these roles were internationally recognized as prestigious.
- Published Materials About the Petitioner: While the Beneficiary’s work was cited in other publications, the number and significance of these citations were not sufficient to establish international recognition.
- Participation as a Judge: The evidence provided for the Beneficiary’s role in judging others’ work did not demonstrate that this participation was recognized internationally as outstanding.
Key Points from the Decision
Awards and Prizes Won: The Beneficiary received a Blue Ribbon Award, but it was deemed insufficient to meet the standard for outstanding international recognition.
Published Materials About the Petitioner: The Beneficiary’s work was cited in various publications, but the citations did not establish the level of international recognition required.
Original Contributions of Major Significance: The Beneficiary made valuable contributions in the field of agricultural engineering, particularly in data modelling, but these contributions were not recognized internationally as outstanding.
Participation as a Judge: The Beneficiary served as a peer reviewer for several journals, but this service was not found to elevate him to the level of international recognition required for the EB-1B classification.
Membership in Associations: The Beneficiary held editorial roles, but the petitioner did not demonstrate that these roles were indicative of international recognition.
Authorship of Scholarly Articles: The Beneficiary authored multiple scholarly articles, but the impact and recognition of these articles did not meet the standard required for the EB-1B classification.
Supporting Documentation
- Peer Review Activities: Evidence of the Beneficiary’s role as a reviewer for various journals.
- Research Contributions: Letters and evidence detailing the Beneficiary’s contributions to agricultural engineering.
- Published Works: Citations and publication records for the Beneficiary’s articles.
- Editorial Roles: Documentation of the Beneficiary’s involvement in editorial boards.
Conclusion
Final Determination: The appeal was dismissed due to the lack of sufficient evidence demonstrating that the Beneficiary is internationally recognized as outstanding in the field of agricultural engineering.
Reasoning: The evidence provided, while showing that the Beneficiary is a skilled researcher, did not establish the level of international recognition required for the EB-1B classification.
Next Steps: It is recommended that the petitioner consider strengthening the evidence of the Beneficiary’s international recognition and contributions before reapplying.
