Date of Decision: March 4, 2024
Service Center: Nebraska Service Center
Form Type: Form I-140
Case Type: EB-1B (Outstanding Professor or Researcher)
Petitioner Information
Profession: Graduate Teaching Assistant
Field: Sociology
Nationality: Armenia
Summary of Decision
Initial Decision: Denied
Appeal Outcome: Dismissed
Evidentiary Criteria Analysis
Criteria Met:
- Judging the Work of Others: The Beneficiary has served as a reviewer for several academic journals and as a committee member for thesis evaluations, but the evidence did not demonstrate that these roles indicate international recognition as outstanding in her field.
- Original Contributions: The Beneficiary’s research contributions in the field of sociology were acknowledged, but the evidence did not establish that these contributions have been recognized internationally as outstanding.
- Authorship of Scholarly Articles: The Beneficiary authored several scholarly articles and books; however, the impact and recognition of these publications were insufficient to demonstrate international recognition.
Criteria Not Met:
- Published Material About the Beneficiary: While there was media coverage of the Beneficiary’s work, it primarily focused on her activities within Armenia and did not demonstrate international recognition.
- Awards and Honors: The Beneficiary received some honors from Armenian institutions, but these were not shown to be indicative of international recognition.
Key Points from the Decision
Awards and Prizes Won:
The Beneficiary received honorary certificates from Armenian institutions, but these were not sufficient to demonstrate international recognition in the academic field.
Published Materials About the Petitioner:
Articles and media coverage in Armenian outlets discussed the Beneficiary’s work, but the evidence did not show that this coverage rose to the level of international recognition.
Original Contributions of Major Significance:
Letters of support and evidence of research projects were provided, but they lacked sufficient corroboration to establish that the Beneficiary’s contributions are recognized as outstanding on an international level.
Participation as a Judge:
The Beneficiary’s participation as a judge for academic theses and articles was acknowledged but did not meet the threshold for international recognition.
Membership in Associations:
The Beneficiary’s memberships in various associations were noted, but the evidence did not show that these memberships were based on her being internationally recognized as outstanding.
Authorship of Scholarly Articles:
The Beneficiary’s articles and books were discussed, but the citation count and overall impact did not demonstrate that they were recognized internationally as outstanding.
Supporting Documentation
- Letters of Support: Multiple letters were provided by colleagues and associates, emphasizing the Beneficiary’s contributions, but they were not sufficient to establish international recognition.
- Media Coverage: Articles from various Armenian news outlets discussed the Beneficiary’s work, but these did not establish the necessary level of international recognition.
- Academic Contributions: Evidence of syllabi, research grants, and academic collaborations was provided, but these did not demonstrate international recognition.
Conclusion
Final Determination: The appeal was dismissed as the evidence provided did not sufficiently demonstrate that the Beneficiary is internationally recognized as an outstanding researcher in the academic field of sociology.
Reasoning: The evidence, while indicative of a skilled researcher, did not meet the high standard of demonstrating international recognition required for the EB-1B classification.
Next Steps: It is recommended that the Petitioner gather more compelling evidence of international recognition, such as major international awards, significant citation counts, or other indicators of global influence in the field of sociology, should they choose to pursue a similar petition in the future.
