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AAO found that a certificate from the American Chamber of Commerce in Brazil certified the Petitioner's attendance at the competition as a judge, and the competition was in his field. This established his participation as a judge of the work of others, and AAO withdrew SCOPS' contrary finding.
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AAO found that a certificate from the American Chamber of Commerce in Brazil certified the Petitioner's attendance at the competition as a judge, and the competition was in his field. This established his participation as a judge of the work of others, and AAO withdrew SCOPS' contrary finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-07_02_B2203; source_row=44588 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Business / ManagementManagerBachelor’s
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
What the decision said
AAO did not conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed the initial evidence threshold. AAO nonetheless noted the record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
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AAO did not conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed the initial evidence threshold. AAO nonetheless noted the record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-07_02_B2203; source_row=44594 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed the criterion did not readily apply to the Petitioner's occupation but found the comparable evidence provision unsatisfied because speaking engagements are not the Petitioner's work product in his field of restaurant franchising entrepreneurship. SCOPS' failure to address comparable evidence was harmless error.
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AAO agreed the criterion did not readily apply to the Petitioner's occupation but found the comparable evidence provision unsatisfied because speaking engagements are not the Petitioner's work product in his field of restaurant franchising entrepreneurship. SCOPS' failure to address comparable evidence was harmless error.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-07_02_B2203; source_row=44591 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
comparable evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(4) for criterion (x) (commercial success in performing arts)
Why AAO was not persuaded
Counsel's unsubstantiated assertions do not constitute evidence, and the appellate statement failed to explain how the proffered evidence has comparable significance to box office receipts and commercial success evidence in the performing arts.
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Counsel's unsubstantiated assertions do not constitute evidence, and the appellate statement failed to explain how the proffered evidence has comparable significance to box office receipts and commercial success evidence in the performing arts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-07_01_B2203; source_row=44583 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
The association's statute showed membership is based on professional qualifications, level of education, payment of fees, or donation of goods/services—not on outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Thus the Petitioner failed to demonstrate the association requires outstanding achievements of its members.
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The association's statute showed membership is based on professional qualifications, level of education, payment of fees, or donation of goods/services—not on outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Thus the Petitioner failed to demonstrate the association requires outstanding achievements of its members.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-06_02_B2203; source_row=44563 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The evidence showed the Petitioner earned $147,000, which is below the average Canadian CEO salary of $183,118. Because his salary was below average, he failed to demonstrate a high salary or significantly high remuneration relative to others in his field.
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The evidence showed the Petitioner earned $147,000, which is below the average Canadian CEO salary of $183,118. Because his salary was below average, he failed to demonstrate a high salary or significantly high remuneration relative to others in his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-06_03_B2203; source_row=44571 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards
Why AAO was not persuaded
Four of six award certificates were issued to the Petitioner's company, not to the Petitioner personally. One remaining award was for philanthropy rather than excellence in the field. The two awards naming the Petitioner did not demonstrate issuance for excellence in the field. None of the awards demonstrated national or international recognition through independent, objective evidence.
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Four of six award certificates were issued to the Petitioner's company, not to the Petitioner personally. One remaining award was for philanthropy rather than excellence in the field. The two awards naming the Petitioner did not demonstrate issuance for excellence in the field. None of the awards demonstrated national or international recognition through independent, objective evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-06_03_B2203; source_row=44566 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established
Case facts
Business / ManagementManager
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Leading / critical role
leading or critical role for distinguished organizations
Why AAO was not persuaded
Letters from two of three former employers did not explain how the Petitioner performed in a leading or critical role. The record lacked supporting evidence of the claimed accomplishments. While the Petitioner had a leading role in his own founded companies, neither those companies nor the Canadian bank had demonstrated distinguished reputations.
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Letters from two of three former employers did not explain how the Petitioner performed in a leading or critical role. The record lacked supporting evidence of the claimed accomplishments. While the Petitioner had a leading role in his own founded companies, neither those companies nor the Canadian bank had demonstrated distinguished reputations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-06_03_B2203; source_row=44570 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c