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 biochemist and Research Associate, conducts research involving hydrogel tissue hybrid imaging for visualizing cells and neurons and related biochemistry work.
Field: biochemistry (hydrogel tissue hybrid imaging / Korean and integrative medicine) · Read the decision (uscis.gov)
Prong 1 — national importanceestablished
“we agree that the Petitioner has established that he meets the first prong of the Dhanasar framework”
AAO decision text
Prong 2 — well positionedestablished
“SCOPS' decision did not adequately address the proposed endeavor or provide sufficient analysis based on the evidence to support their conclusions.”
AAO decision text
How the evidence was treated
- recommendation letter · credited
- citations publications · credited
- resume experience · credited
- degree · credited
- funding · ignored
All 6 evidence items
- other · credited
“SCOPS's conclusion reflects a strained and overly literal interpretation of standard offer letter language”
AAO decision text
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Notable
AAO reversed SCOPS's credibility findings regarding a first-person offer letter and alleged 'greatly discrepant' start dates, calling SCOPS's interpretation 'strained and overly literal.' Rather than ruling on the merits of prongs two and three, AAO found SCOPS's decision failed to adequately explain its reasoning under 8 C.F.R. 103.3(a)(1)(i) and Matter of M-P-, and remanded for a new decision without expressing an opinion on ultimate eligibility.
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.
- Flores v. Garland
- USCIS Policy Manual F.5(D)(2)
What this case teaches
Analyst reading of the decision text.
SCOPS's denial rested on a flawed reading of an offer letter and inadequate explanation of its prong 2/3 analysis, so AAO withdrew the decision and remanded without resolving ultimate eligibility.
Ensure employment/offer letters are internally consistent and clearly explained; agencies must fully articulate reasoning, but remand does not guarantee eventual approval on the merits.
vague
stem_positive_factor · field_advancement
person_focused
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