The Petitioner, an education researcher and assistant professor, proposed to continue research and develop teaching strategies to improve the educational success of remedial university students, including collaborating with other institutions and presenting findings nationally.

Prong 1 — national importanceestablished

“As the Petitioner has documented both the substantial merit and national importance of her proposed research, we find that she meets the first prong of the Dhanasar framework.”

AAO decision text

Prong 2 — well positionednot established · dispositive

“the record does not adequately document that her specific research findings and methods stand to be implemented at various colleges or universities.”

“she does not, however, offer comparative statistics indicating how often other education researchers are cited, nor does the record otherwise demonstrate that her published and presented research constitutes a record of success”

“The Petitioner has not shown that her research has been frequently cited by independent scholars or has otherwise served as an impetus for progress in the field”

“the Petitioner has not demonstrated a record of success or progress in her field, or a degree of interest in her work from relevant parties, that rise to the level of rendering her well positioned to advance her proposed research endeavor.”

AAO decision text

How the evidence was treated

• recommendation letter · discounted

  “the record does not adequately document that her specific research findings and methods stand to be implemented at various colleges or universities.”

  AAO decision text
• citations publications · discounted

  “she does not... offer comparative statistics indicating how often other education researchers are cited”

  AAO decision text
• other · discounted

  “they are not sufficient to demonstrate a record of success of, or interest in, her research.”

  AAO decision text

Where this case turned

• Citations insufficient · p2 — citation counts without qualitative account of impact
• Record of success insufficient · p2 — a claimed track record the documents do not establish

Notable

AAO separately analyzed the Petitioner's teaching duties under prong 1, finding them to have substantial merit but lacking national importance because their impact was limited to her own students, citing Dhanasar's treatment of teaching activities; the Director's initial denial ground (missing ETA-750B forms) was withdrawn because the forms had in fact been submitted.

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. 103.2(b)(1)

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