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 entrepreneur, proposed to work in the United States in the field of agriculture, specifically in rural management related to soybean production.
Field: agriculture (soybean production / rural management) · Read the decision (uscis.gov)
EB-2 threshold — not met
Although the Petitioner met three of six exceptional-ability criteria (academic record, experience letters, professional membership), the AAO found she did not show a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in her field, and letters of recommendation and other evidence were insufficient on final merits determination.
How the evidence was treated
- recommendation letter · discounted
“the Director found these letters inadequate to demonstrate significant contributions to her field”
AAO decision text - resume experience · discounted
“the Petitioner did not demonstrate how her record compares with other entrepreneurs with the same degree, experiences, certifications and licenses, and memberships”
AAO decision text - certification membership · discounted
“the Petitioner did not demonstrate how ... certifications and license; and (4) membership in professional associations sets her apart from other entrepreneurs”
AAO decision text - degree · discounted
“the Petitioner did not demonstrate how (1) her degree ... sets her apart from other entrepreneurs in the agriculture field”
AAO decision text
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Notable
AAO declined to reach the Dhanasar national interest waiver prongs entirely because the Petitioner failed to establish the underlying exceptional-ability EB-2 classification; the decision adopts and affirms the Director's decision under Matter of Burbano rather than conducting fresh analysis.
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
- Matter of L-A-C-
- USCIS Policy Manual F.5(B)(2)
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