dismissedAUG062024_08B52032024-08-06 · appeal · Texas Service Center
This is an AAO appeal decision — a case denied once and appealed. It shows how the framework is applied; it is not the filing population.
The Petitioner proposed to establish and serve as CEO of a non-governmental soccer organization offering youth and community development and health promotion programs, aimed at helping refugee and marginalized youth integrate into communities.
Field: soccer/youth community development · Read the decision (uscis.gov)
Prong 1 — national importancenot established · dispositive
“not apparent that the specific proposed endeavor would affect any region where she [would] pursue her specific proposed endeavor or the United States' tax revenue, or their economies more broadly at a level commensurate with national importance.”
“do not . . . meaningfully demonstrate how [the Petitioner's proposed endeavor] would have national importance.”
AAO decision text
How the evidence was treated
- business plan · discounted
“not apparent that the specific proposed endeavor would affect any region... at a level commensurate with national importance”
AAO decision text - recommendation letter · discounted
“do not . . . meaningfully demonstrate how [the Petitioner's proposed endeavor] would have national importance.”
AAO decision text
Where this case turned
- Economic claims unsupported · p1 — job/revenue projections with no corroborating basis
- Letters conclusory · p1 — letters praise skills in general terms without tracing specific impact
- Local, not national scope · p1 — impact confined to clients / a region
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Notable
AAO relies on 'adopt and affirm' doctrine, citing multiple circuit court cases (Burbano, Giday, Martinez-Lopez) to support affirming the Director's decision without independent elaboration. Also cites Flores v. Garland (5th Cir. 2023) for the proposition that NIW grants are inherently discretionary, joining several other circuits on this point.
Authorities this decision leans on
From the doctrinal survivor set — 187 authority tests across 47 distinct authorities cleared the differential-lift gates. Only those appear here.
- 8 C.F.R. 103.3
- Flores v. Garland
- INA 203(b)(2)
- Matter of L-A-C-
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