dismissed EB-1A Case: Chinese Knot Making

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
20 Mass. Ave., N.W., Rrn. A3042 
Washington, DC 20529 
U. S. Citizenship 
and Immigration 
FILE: Office: TEXAS SERVICE CENTER Date: OCT 1 2DBJ 0422352388 
IN RE: 
w 
Petitioner: 
Beneficiary: 
PETITION: Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker as an Alien of Extraordinary Ability Pursuant to Section 
203(b)(l)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 5 1153(b)(l)(A) 
ON BEHALF OF PETITIONER: 
SELF-REPRESENTED 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
This is the decision of the Administrative Appeals Office in your case. All documents have been returned to 
the office that originally decided your case. Any further inquiry must be made to that office. 
s/ Robert P. Wiemann, Director 
Administrative Appeals Office 
DISCUSSION: The employment-based immigrant visa petition was denied by the Director, Texas Service 
Center, and is now before the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) on appeal. The appeal will be dismissed. 
The petitioner seeks classification as an employment-based immigrant pursuant to section 203(b)(l)(A) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act), 8 U.S.C. 5 1153(b)(l)(A), as an alien of extraordinary ability. The 
director determined the petitioner had not established the sustained national or intemational acclaim necessary to 
qualify for classification as an alien of extraordinary ability. 
Section 203(b) of the Act states, in pertinent part, that: 
(1) Priority Workers. -- Visas shall first be made avajlable . . . to qualified immigrants who are aliens 
described in any of the following subparagraphs (A) through (C): 
(A) Aliens with Extraordinary Ability. -- An alien is described in ths subparagraph if -- 
(i) the alien has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or 
athletics which has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim 
and whose achievements have begn recognized in the field through extensive 
documentation, 
(ii) the alien seeks to enter the United States to continue work in the area of 
extraordinary ability, and 
(iii) the alien's entry to the United States will substantially benefit prospectively the 
United States. 
As used in this section, the term "extraordinary ability',' means a level of expertise indicating that the 
individual is one of that small percentage who have risen-to the very top of the field of endeavor. 8 C.F.R. 
5 204.5(h)(2). The specific requirements for supporting documents to establish that an alien has sustained 
national or intemational acclaim and recognition in his or her field of expertise are set forth in the regulation 
at 8 C.F.R. fj 204.5(h)(3). The relevant criteria will be addressed below. It should be reiterated, however, that 
the petitioner must show that she has earned sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level. 
This petition, filed on August 17,2004, seeks to classify the petitioner as an alien with extraordinary ability as 
a Chinese Knot Maker. The statute and regulations require the petitioner's acclaim to be sustained. The 
record reflects that the petitioner has been residing in the United States since August 1999. Given the length 
of time between the petitioner's arrival in the United States and the petition's filing date, it is reasonable to 
expect the petitioner to have earned national acclaim in the United States during that time. The pelitioner has 
had ample time to establish a reputation in this country. 
In support of the petition, the petitioner submitted six photographs of what are alleged to be her creations. 
This evidence, however, was not sufficient to demonstrate the petitioner's sustained national or international 
acclaim, or that her achievements have been recognized in her field of expertise. On November 10,2004, the 
\ 
director denied the petition, finding that the petitioner's evidence did not satisfy any of the criteria at 8 C.F.R. 
5 204.5(h)(3). 
The regulation at 8 C.F.R. 9 204.5(h)(3) indicates that an alien-ca~ establish sustained national or 
international acclaim through evidence of a one-time achievement (that is, a major, international recognized 
award). Barring the alien's receipt of such an award, the regulation outlines ten criteria, at least three of which 
must be satisfied for an alien to establish the sustained acclaim necessary to qualify as an alien of 
extraordinary ability. On appeal, the petitioner has submitted evidence pertaining to the following criteria. 
Evidence of the alien's authorship of scholarly articles in thejeld, in professional or major trade 
publications or other major media. 
The petitioner submits evidence of her alleged authorship of an article in Huayifang entitled "Chinese Knot." 
The record, however, contains no evidence. showing that this article was actually published under the 
petitioner's name or evidence of its significant national or international distribution. Nor is there supporting 
evidence showing that the petitioner's article is viewed throughout her field as significantly influential. 
Evidence of the display of the alien's work in thejeld at artistic exhibitions or showcases. 
The petitioner re-submits the six photographs of what are alleged to b-e her creations, stating that the "items 
were displayed on [sic] individual design exhibitions worldwide." The record, however, contains no evidence 
showing that any such exhibitions ever took place. Going on rqcord without supporting documentary 
evidence is not sufficient for purposes of meeting the burden of proof in these proceedings. Matter of Sofjci, 
22 I&N Dec. 158, 165 (Comm. 1998) (citing Matter of Treasure Graft of California, 14 I&N Dec. 190 (Reg. 
Comm. 1972)). 
It must be stressed that an artist does not satisfy this criterian simply by arranging for his or her work to be 
displayed or sold. In this case, the petitioner has not submitted evidence demonstrating that her works have 
been displayed at significant national venues. Nor is there any indication that the petitioner's works have 
been featured along side those of artists who enjoy nation4 or international reputations. Furthermore, the 
petitioner has not demonstrated her regular participation in shows or exhibitions at exclusive venues devoted 
largely to the display of her work alone. The evidence presented by the petitioner is not sufficient to show 
that her exhibitions enjoy a national reputation or that participation in her exhibitions was a privilege 
J 
extended to only top national or international artists. 
Evidence of commercial successes in the pgrforming arts, as shown by box ofJice receipts or 
record, cassette, compact disk, or video sales. 
The petitioner submits two pages of what is alleged to be a catalog of her designs and products.' The plain 
wording of this criterion, however, indicates that it is intended for "performing" artists such as musicians and 
actresses rather than the petitioner's occupation. Nevertheless, the regulation calls for commercial success in the 
form of "sales" or "receipts"; simply asseriing that one's work has appeared in a product catalog cannot satisfy 
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I There is no evidence showing that the petitioner has ever developed or distributed such a catalog. 
criterion. The record contains no evidence of documented "sales" or "receipts" showing significant national 
distribution of the petitioner's products or their widespread commercial success. 
In this case, the petitioner has failed to demonstrate that she meets at least three of the criteria that must be 
satisfied to establish the sustained national or international acclaim necessary to qualifjr as an alien of 
extraordinary ability. 
Review of the record does not establish that the petitioner,has distinguished herself to such an extent that she may 
be said to have achieved sustained national or international acclaim or to be withn the small percentage at the 
very top of her field. The evidence is not persuasive that the petitioner's achievements set her significantly above 
almost all others in her field at the national or international level. Therefore, the petitioner has not established 
eligbility pursuant to section 203(b)(l)(A) of the Act,and the petition may not be approved. 
Beyond the decision of the director, the regulation at 8 C.F.R. 204.5(h)(5) requires "clear evidence that the 
alien is coming to the United States to continue work in the area of expertise. Such evidence may include 
letter(s) from prospective employer(s), evidence of prearranged commitments such as contracts, or a 
statement fi-om the beneficiary detailing plans on how he or she intends to continue his or her work in the 
United States." The record contains no such evidence. 
An application or petition that fails to comply with the technical requirements of the law may be denied by 
the AAO even if the Service Center does not identify al1,of the grounds for denial in the initial decision. See 
Spencer Enterprises, Inc. v. United States, 229 F. Supp.\2d 1025, 1043 (E.D. Cal. 2001), affd. 345 F.3d 683 
(9th Cir. 2003); see also Dor v. INS, 891 F.2d 997, 1002 n. 9 (2d Cir. 1989)(noting that the AAO reviews 
appeals on a de novo basis). 
The petition will be denied for the above stated reasons, with each considered as an independent and 
alternative basis for denial. In visa petition proceedings, the burden of proving eligibility for the benefit 
sought remains entirely with the petitioner. Section 291 of the Act, 8 U.S.C. tj 1361. Here, that burden has 
not been met. 
ORDER. The appeal is dismissed.