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 epidemiologist, proposed to conduct research developing safe and sustainable strategies to accelerate control and elimination of neglected infectious diseases.
Field: epidemiology / infectious disease research · Read the decision (uscis.gov)
EB-2 threshold — addressed
Director had found the degree not established, but AAO found the record contained the doctoral degree and transcript satisfying the advanced degree professional requirement.
Prong 1 — national importanceestablished
“The Director found the Petitioner established eligibility for both aspects of this prong, and we agree with the Director's determination.”
AAO decision text
Prong 2 — well positionedestablished
“Accordingly, the Petitioner has demonstrated that he satisfies the second prong of the Dhanasar framework.”
AAO decision text
Prong 3 — balance of factorsestablished
“We conclude that he offers contributions of such value that, on balance, they would benefit the United States even assuming that other qualified U.S. workers are available.”
AAO decision text
How the evidence was treated
- resume experience · credited
- citations publications · credited
- recommendation letter · credited
- degree · credited
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Notable
AAO reversed the Director on all disputed points, including the threshold degree finding, and sustained the appeal in full, finding all three Dhanasar prongs met including the strong positive factor combination under Policy Manual F.5(D)(2).
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
- Poursina v. USCIS
- USCIS Policy Manual F.5(D)(2)
What this case teaches
Analyst reading of the decision text.
Director's denial of prongs 2 and 3 was unsupported by the record; petitioner's PhD, high citation impact, and expert letters showed he was well-positioned and his work nationally beneficial.
Pair a STEM PhD with concrete citation/impact metrics and expert letters detailing field-wide effects to satisfy prongs 2 and 3, especially where prong 1 is uncontested.
moderate
public_health · field_advancement
mixed
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