The Petitioner, a doctoral student and graduate research assistant in industrial engineering, proposed to research and develop advanced models for predicting and mitigating disruptions to transportation networks and supply chains caused by natural disasters, in order to improve supply chain resilience.

Prong 1 — national importanceestablished

“The Petitioner has sufficiently demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence the national importance of his proposed endeavor.”

AAO decision text

Prong 2 — well positionednot established · dispositive

“he has not demonstrated a record of success in similar efforts with respect to his research”

“the authors of these letters do not provide sufficient detail explaining the significance of the Petitioner's past research, or how it has affected the field or industry”

“The Petitioner has therefore not shown that his work and research establish a record or success beyond having been referenced in published works.”

“the Petitioner has not provided evidence that he himself previously received funding for his research or has secured funding to continue pursuing his specific proposed endeavor”

AAO decision text

How the evidence was treated

• recommendation letter · discounted

  “the authors of these letters do not provide sufficient detail explaining the significance of the Petitioner's past research”

  AAO decision text
• citations publications · discounted

  “citation frequency ... does not reveal the reasons for the citations, which involve a qualitative analysis”

  AAO decision text
• degree · discounted

  “it is not a sufficient basis to determine that he is well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor”

  AAO decision text
• funding · discounted

  “the Petitioner has not provided evidence that he himself previously received funding for his research or has secured funding”

  AAO decision text
• other · discounted

  “neither the offer letter nor the Petitioner's personal statements explain how the Petitioner's expected duties relate to his proposed endeavor”

  AAO decision text

Where this case turned

• Citations insufficient · p2 — citation counts without qualitative account of impact
• Funding absent · p2 — no documented funding or resources behind the plan
• Letters conclusory · p2 — letters praise skills in general terms without tracing specific impact
• Record of success insufficient · p2 — a claimed track record the documents do not establish

Notable

AAO withdrew the Director's adverse national-importance finding under prong 1, expanding beyond the job-creation/economic-effects factors the Director had relied on, but still dismissed the appeal solely on prong 2 grounds, reserving prong 3 entirely.

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(D)(1)
• USCIS Policy Manual F.5(D)(2)

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