The Petitioner, holding master's degrees in engineering and computer information systems, proposed to research the aerodynamics of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and their applications to civilian tasks and industries such as agriculture, construction, and environmental monitoring.

Prong 1 — national importanceestablished

Prong 2 — well positionednot established · dispositive

“he has not shown that his academic accomplishments and certification as an engineer-in-training by themselves are sufficient to demonstrate that he is well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor”

“the letters do not detail his achievements and contributions to his field, or how the Petitioner's research findings have had an impact in the field”

“the record does not show it was published, has a citation history, or has generated positive discourse in his field”

“Nor does the evidence show that his research findings have been frequently cited by independent researchers or otherwise constitute a record of success”

“the record does not include evidence demonstrating to what extent either research paper constitutes a record of success or progress in the field”

AAO decision text

How the evidence was treated

• recommendation letter · discounted

  “they do not indicate that his work has influenced his field or has been adopted by others”

  AAO decision text
• citations publications · discounted

  “the record does not show it was published, has a citation history, or has generated positive discourse in his field”

  AAO decision text
• degree · discounted

  “he has not shown that his academic accomplishments...by themselves are sufficient to demonstrate that he is well positioned”

  AAO decision text
• certification membership · discounted
• resume experience · discounted

Where this case turned

• Citations insufficient · p2 — citation counts without qualitative account of impact
• Education alone insufficient · p2 — degrees offered as positioning — credentials are not a track record
• Letters conclusory · p2 — letters praise skills in general terms without tracing specific impact
• No progress evidence · p2 — no documented movement toward the endeavor since filing
• Record of success insufficient · p2 — a claimed track record the documents do not establish

Notable

Evidence submitted with RFE response (post-filing selection to PhD program, citation notification, publication submissions) was rejected as reflecting facts arising after filing, citing Matter of Katigbak. AAO declined to reach prong 3 as prong 2 was dispositive.

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
• INA 203(b)(2)
• Matter of Caron Int'l
• Matter of D-R-
• Matter of E-M-
• Matter of Katigbak
• Matter of L-A-C-

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