The Petitioner, a political science researcher and former South Korean government advisor, proposed to advance U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy through policy research and analysis at major U.S. think tanks such as CSIS, Brookings, and the Wilson Center.

Prong 1 — national importancenot established · dispositive

“the endeavor is not defined to a degree at which its national importance can be fully evaluated.”

“an intention to work in an important field, or an endeavor's alignment with government initiatives, cannot alone demonstrate an endeavor's national importance.”

“These opinions, however, do not identify a specific endeavor, such as a specific area of research within his field that the Petitioner intends to undertake to influence a particular area of U.S. policy.”

“The record does not establish the national importance of the proposed endeavor as required by the first prong of Matter ofDhanasar.”

AAO decision text

How the evidence was treated

• recommendation letter · discounted

  “they do not discuss a particular endeavor that the Petitioner will pursue within the larger sphere of international relations”

  AAO decision text
• citations publications · discounted

  “they do not support a defined endeavor that the Petitioner will pursue.”

  AAO decision text

Where this case turned

• Endeavor too vague · p1 — described as a job role, not a defined undertaking
• Field importance conflated with endeavor · p1 — argues the field matters, not the specific endeavor
• Letters conclusory · p1 — letters praise skills in general terms without tracing specific impact

Notable

The AAO includes a footnote citing Flores v. Garland and other circuit precedent affirming that NIW denials are discretionary, notwithstanding that the decision rests on a non-discretionary eligibility failure (national importance).

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
• Flores v. Garland
• INA 203(b)(2)
• Matter of L-A-C-

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