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, an assistant professor and researcher, proposed to work in the United States advancing renewable energy and microgrid technology to address risks posed by aging transmission lines.
Field: renewable energy / microgrids · Read the decision (uscis.gov)
EB-2 threshold — addressed
Director found Petitioner qualified as an advanced degree professional; AAO agreed the record supports that determination.
Prong 1 — national importanceestablished
“However, the decision does not sufficiently explain the basis for this determination.”
AAO decision text
Prong 2 — well positionedestablished
“The Director, however, did not discuss or acknowledge any of this evidence or explain why such evidence was insufficient.”
AAO decision text
Prong 3 — balance of factorsestablished
“However, the Director did not discuss the evidence weighed in balancing those considerations or address the Petitioner's specific claims as to the third prong.”
AAO decision text
How the evidence was treated
- recommendation letter · ignored
- resume experience · ignored
- certification membership · ignored
- citations publications · ignored
- funding · ignored
All 6 evidence items
- degree · credited
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Notable
This is a procedural remand: the AAO did not find any Dhanasar prong unmet on the merits, but withdrew the Director's decision because it failed to adequately explain the reasoning for denial (citing Matter of M-P- and 8 C.F.R. 103.3(a)(1)(i)) and did not address the Petitioner's submitted evidence at all. AAO expressly declined to opine on the ultimate outcome.
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
- USCIS Policy Manual F.5(D)(1)
What this case teaches
Analyst reading of the decision text.
The Director's decision was conclusory and unexplained across all three Dhanasar prongs, failing to analyze evidence or state reasons, requiring remand for a properly reasoned decision.
Adjudicators must explain evidentiary analysis under each Dhanasar prong; petitioners should ensure the record clearly ties evidence to national importance and positioning to preempt vague denials.
vague
field_advancement · economic_growth_generic
mixed
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