A neurology resident/fellow proposed to conduct clinical stroke research, provide patient care and medical education, and develop a telestroke/prehospital stroke navigation software product.

Prong 1 — national importanceestablished

“As the Petitioner has documented both the substantial merit and national importance of his proposed research and telestroke product development, we find that the record supports the Director's determination that he meets the first prong”

AAO decision text

Prong 2 — well positionednot established · dispositive

“The Petitioner has not shown that his research has been frequently cited by independent neurologists or otherwise served as an impetus for progress in the field”

“While the aforementioned references note the importance of the Petitioner's research projects, they do not offer specific examples of how the Petitioner's findings have generated positive interest”

“the record does not adequately document that the product stands to be utilized beyond this single locality”

“In sum, the Petitioner has not demonstrated a record of success or progress in his field, or a degree of interest in his work from relevant parties”

AAO decision text

How the evidence was treated

• recommendation letter · discounted

  “does not offer any specific examples of such implications”

  AAO decision text
• citations publications · discounted

  “it does not show the impact of his work or demonstrate that the interest in his work rises to a level of rendering him well positioned”

  AAO decision text
• business plan · discounted

  “the record does not adequately document that the product stands to be utilized beyond this single locality”

  AAO decision text
• certification membership · discounted

  “without further information and documentation regarding the significance of this evidence, we do not find it sufficient”

  AAO decision text
• patents · discounted

  “The record does not include a copy of this patent to support their assertion that the Petitioner was one of the inventors.”

  AAO decision text

Where this case turned

• Citations insufficient · p2 — citation counts without qualitative account of impact
• Letters conclusory · p2 — letters praise skills in general terms without tracing specific impact
• Local, not national scope · p2 — impact confined to clients / a region
• Record of success insufficient · p2 — a claimed track record the documents do not establish

Notable

AAO found prong 1 satisfied (unusual - many decisions fail at prong 1) but dismissed based solely on prong 2 failure, declining to reach prong 3. AAO distinguished a non-precedent decision (Matter of L-R-R-) cited by Petitioner and clarified that clinical/instructional work lacked broader national importance beyond patients served, citing Dhanasar's own teaching-activity holding.

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. 103.2(b)(1)
• 8 C.F.R. 103.3(c)
• Matter of E-M-

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