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AAO withdrew SCOPS' favorable determination, finding that judging undergraduate students in a regional competition does not constitute judging 'the work of others in the same or an allied field' because undergraduates are not professionals and are not yet 'in the field.'
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AAO withdrew SCOPS' favorable determination, finding that judging undergraduate students in a regional competition does not constitute judging 'the work of others in the same or an allied field' because undergraduates are not professionals and are not yet 'in the field.'
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_04_B2203; source_row=45016 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO withdrew SCOPS' favorable finding, noting the record lacked documentation establishing that the Petitioner's original work impacted the field and that any contributions were of major significance. The evidence showed originality and credit, but not field-wide impact.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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AAO withdrew SCOPS' favorable finding, noting the record lacked documentation establishing that the Petitioner's original work impacted the field and that any contributions were of major significance. The evidence showed originality and credit, but not field-wide impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_04_B2203; source_row=45017 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Neither claimed membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts. Both associations grant membership based on passing exams and meeting baseline education or experience requirements, not outstanding achievements.
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Neither claimed membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts. Both associations grant membership based on passing exams and meeting baseline education or experience requirements, not outstanding achievements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_04_B2203; source_row=45015 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the claimed awards are not highly selective or widely recognized; memberships do not reflect exclusive admission; published material and judging indicate only routine professional visibility; no evidence of influential scholarship or citation impact; roles described do not show sustained leadership in distinguished organizations; and compensation does not place her among the top of the pay scale.…
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Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO found that the claimed awards are not highly selective or widely recognized; memberships do not reflect exclusive admission; published material and judging indicate only routine professional visibility; no evidence of influential scholarship or citation impact; roles described do not show sustained leadership in distinguished organizations; and compensation does not place her among the top of the pay scale. In aggregate, the record fails to establish extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=44993 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found the Petitioner offered no physical evidence of receiving the first award, and that the 2023 article created an unresolved material inconsistency regarding the second award she did not receive until December 2024. AAO also declined to impute the reputation of the issuing entity to an individual award absent evidence it is a top prize.
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AAO found the Petitioner offered no physical evidence of receiving the first award, and that the 2023 article created an unresolved material inconsistency regarding the second award she did not receive until December 2024. AAO also declined to impute the reputation of the issuing entity to an individual award absent evidence it is a top prize.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=44986 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · High remuneration
high salary or remuneration
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found no error in SCOPS's comparison, noting SCOPS directly discussed the evidence and concluded the Petitioner's earnings were below the average for comparable positions.
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AAO found no error in SCOPS's comparison, noting SCOPS directly discussed the evidence and concluded the Petitioner's earnings were below the average for comparable positions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=44992 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established
Case facts
Medicine / ClinicalPhysician
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Leading / critical role
leading or critical role
Why AAO was not persuaded
Professional qualifications (license and certificates) alone do not establish a leading or critical role. The recommendation letters made only broad assertions without detailed, specific information demonstrating how the Petitioner's role was leading or critical for a distinguished organization.
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Professional qualifications (license and certificates) alone do not establish a leading or critical role. The recommendation letters made only broad assertions without detailed, specific information demonstrating how the Petitioner's role was leading or critical for a distinguished organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_02_B2203; source_row=45000 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The record lacked bylaws, membership criteria, or other official organizational documentation to corroborate that the associations require outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Letters from leadership alone are insufficient to establish association membership criteria.
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The record lacked bylaws, membership criteria, or other official organizational documentation to corroborate that the associations require outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Letters from leadership alone are insufficient to establish association membership criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_02_B2203; source_row=44997 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found the gold medal at the international junior competition satisfied the criterion because competitors were elite junior players selected to represent their countries and the event received international media coverage beyond the organizer and federations.
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AAO found the gold medal at the international junior competition satisfied the criterion because competitors were elite junior players selected to represent their countries and the event received international media coverage beyond the organizer and federations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_03_B2203; source_row=45005 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c