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, a self-employed carpet weaver, sought to continue practicing and promoting traditional artisanal carpet weaving in the United States.
Field: carpet weaving / folk art · Read the decision (uscis.gov)
EB-2 threshold — not met
AAO withdrew the Director's finding that Petitioner qualified as an individual of exceptional ability, concluding he met at most one of six regulatory criteria (membership), and had not shown an advanced degree or ten years' progressive experience via qualifying evidence; because underlying EB-2 eligibility was not established, the NIW issue was deemed moot and not reached.
How the evidence was treated
- degree · discounted
“The Petitioner did not provide an official academic record evidencing study at any of the institutions he claimed to have attended.”
AAO decision text - resume experience · discounted
“The Petitioner did not provide any letters from current or former employers evidencing that he has at least ten years of full-time experience.”
AAO decision text - certification membership · credited
- awards · discounted
“the Petitioner submitted an award "certificate" but offered little information on what the certificate meant or why he received it.”
AAO decision text - recommendation letter · discounted
“Generalized conclusory statements that do not identify specific contributions or their impact in the field have little probative value.”
AAO decision text
All 6 evidence items
- media · discounted
“it is not apparent that the Petitioner is recognized for achievements or contributions in his industry as a result of this publication.”
AAO decision text
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Notable
AAO withdrew the Director's favorable finding on underlying exceptional-ability classification (an unusual sua sponte reversal), finding the record supported at most one of six regulatory criteria (membership), and declined to reach the Dhanasar NIW prongs entirely as moot given failure at the threshold EB-2 classification stage. Notably discussed that many recommendation letters improperly recited extraordinary-ability (not exceptional-ability) criteria, and that unsigned/undated letters and duplicated phrasing across authors undermined credibility.
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. 204.5(k)(2)
- 8 C.F.R. 204.5(k)(3)(ii)
- Kazarian v. USCIS
- Matter of L-A-C-
- Matter of Otiende
- Matter of V-K-
- Poursina v. USCIS
- Section 291 of the Act
Cases in adjacent profiles
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- The petitioner, a tattoo artist, sought EB-2 classification as an individual of exceptional ability along with a nationa
- The Petitioner, an MMA athlete and trainer, proposed to operate a jiu jitsu company through which he would train and com
- The Petitioner sought to establish an arts education academy in Ohio, with plans to expand to New York and Michigan, off
- The Petitioner, an art curator, proposed to establish a nonprofit cultural center/platform focused on exhibitions, oral