NIW Bearings
dismissedAUG122024_04B52032024-08-12 · appeal · Nebraska 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, a nutritionist with a background in clinical pediatric care, proposed to continue her nutrition career in the U.S., combating nutrition misinformation and improving health outcomes by working with clients, medical professionals, clinics, schools, and community organizations.

Field: nutrition · Read the decision (uscis.gov)

EB-2 threshold — addressed

The Director found the Petitioner qualified for underlying EB-2 classification as an advanced degree professional; this was not disputed on appeal.

Prong 1 — national importancenot established · dispositive

the proposed endeavor did not stand to sufficiently "extend beyond her future employer(s) and patients to impact the nutrition and healthcare field or U.S. economy more broadly."
The Petitioner's economic arguments, namely that her work will reduce healthcare costs and increase productivity, are not accompanied by evidence of the particularized economic impact that her endeavor would provide.
she has not shown that her endeavor stands to improve human knowledge, further research outcomes, or contribute to scientific advancements.

AAO decision text

How the evidence was treated

  • recommendation letter · discounted
    The Petitioner's knowledge, skills, and experience in the field, however, relate to the second prong of the Dhanasar framework
    AAO decision text
  • resume experience · discounted
    Throughout the record, the Petitioner points to her background, education, and experience in her field.
    AAO decision text
  • degree · credited
  • other · discounted
    These or similar factors are not present in the Petitioner's proposed endeavor.
    AAO decision text

Where this case turned

  • Economic claims unsupported · p1job/revenue projections with no corroborating basis
  • Employer-specific benefit · p1"work furthers my company's product" — value accrues to one firm
  • Local, not national scope · p1impact confined to clients / a region
2,501coded decisions carry the failure named in this record. A placement shows where your profile sits among them, not what it predicts.See where your profile sits — 90 seconds

Notable

AAO expressly reserved opinion on prongs two and three under Bagamasbad and Matter of L-A-C-, dismissing solely on prong one national importance grounds; footnote cites Flores v. Garland on the discretionary nature of NIW review.

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-

Cases in adjacent profiles