dismissed EB-2 NIW Case: Quantitative Finance

identifyingdatadeletedtopreventclearlyunwarranted
invasionofpersonalprivacy
PUBLICCOPY
U.S.Department of HomelandSecurity
U.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices
AdministrativeAppealsOffice (AAO)
20 MassachusettsAve., N.W.,MS 2090
Washington,DC 20529-2090
8 U.S.Citizenship
and Immigration
Services
DATE: DCT 0 6 2011 OFFICE:TEXASSERVICECENTER YILE:
IN RE: Petitio r
PETITION: ImmigrantPetitionfor Alien WorkerasaMemberof theProfessionsHolding anAdvanced
Degreeor anAlien of ExceptionalAbility Pursuantto Section203(b)(2)of theImmigration
andNationalityAct, 8U.S.C.§ 1153(b)(2)
ONBEHALFOFPETITIONER:
INSTRUCTIONS:
Enclosedpleasefind the decisionof the AdministrativeAppealsOffice in your case. All of the documents
relatedto thismatterhavebeenreturnedto theofficethatoriginallydecidedyourcase.Pleasebeadvisedthat
anyfurther inquiry thatyoumighthaveconcerningyourcasemustbemadeto thatoffice.
If you believe the law was inappropriatelyappliedby us in reachingour decision,or you haveadditional
informationthatyou wish to haveconsidered,you mayfile a motionto reconsideror a motionto reopen.The
specific requirementsfor filing such a requestcan be found at 8 C.F.R. § 103.5. All motions must be
submittedto theoffice thatoriginally decidedyourcaseby filing aFormI-290B,Noticeof Appealor Motion,
with a fee of $630. Pleasebe awarethat 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(1)(i)requiresthat any motion must be filed
within 30daysof thedecisionthatthemotionseeksto reconsideror reopen.
Thankyou,
PerryRhew
Chief,AdministrativeAppealsOffice
www.uscus.gov
DISCUSSION: The Director,TexasServiceCenter,deniedthe employment-basedimmigrantvisa
petition.ThematterisnowbeforetheAdministrativeAppealsOffice(AAO)onappeal.TheAAOwill
dismisstheappeal.
Thepetitionerseeksclassificationpursuantto section203(b)(2)of theImmigrationandNationalityAct
(theAct), 8 U.S.C.§ 1153(b)(2),asa memberof theprofessionsholdingan advanceddegree.The
mploymentasa quantitativeanalystat
Thepetitionerassertsthatanexemptionfromtherequirementof ajob offer,andthus
o or certi cation,is in the nationalinterestof the UnitedStates. The directorfoundthatthe
petitionerqualifiesfor classificationasa memberof theprofessionsholdingan advanceddegree,but
thatthepetitionerhasnotestablishedthatanexemptionfromtherequirementof ajob offerwouldbein
thenationalinterestof theUnitedStates.
Onappeal,thepetitionersubmitsabrief from counsel.
Section203(b)of theAct states,in pertinentpart:
(2) Aliens Who Are Membersof the ProfessionsHoldingAdvancedDegreesor Aliens of
ExceptionalAbility.-
(A) In General.- Visasshallbe madeavailable. . . to qualifiedimmigrantswho are
membersof the professionsholding advanceddegreesor their equivalentor who
becauseof their exceptionalability in the sciences,arts,or business,will substantially
benefitprospectivelythenationaleconomy,culturalor educationalinterests,or welfare
of theUnitedStates,andwhoseservicesin thesciences,arts,professions,or business
aresoughtbyanemployerin theUnitedStates.
(B) Waiverof JobOffer-
(i) . . . theAttorneyGeneralmay,whentheAttorneyGeneraldeemsit to be in
thenationalinterest,waivetherequirementsof subparagraph(A) thatanalien's
servicesin thesciences,arts,professions,or businessbesoughtby anemployer
in theUnitedStates.
The directordid not disputethatthe petitionerqualifiesasa memberof theprofessionsholdingan
advanceddegree.Thesoleissuein contentionis whetherthepetitionerhasestablishedthatawaiverof
thejob offerrequirement,andthusalaborcertification,is in thenationalinterest.
Neitherthe statutenor the pertinentregulationsdefinethe term "nationalinterest." Additionally,
Congressdid not providea specificdefinitionof "in the nationalinterest." The Committeeon the
Judiciarymerelynotedin itsreportto theSenatethatthecommitteehad"focusedonnationalinterestby
increasingthe numberandproportionof visasfor immigrantswho would benefitthe UnitedStates
economicallyandotherwise.. . ." S.Rep.No.55,101stCong.,1stSess.,11(1989).
Page3
Supplementaryinformationto regulationsimplementingthe ImmigrationAct of 1990(IMMACT),
publishedat56Fed.Reg.60897,60900(November29,1991),states:
The Service[now U.S. Citizenshipand ImmigrationServices(USCIS)] believesit
appropriateto leavetheapplicationof thistestasflexibleaspossible,althoughclearly
an alien seekingto meet the [national interest] standardmust make a showing
significantly above that necessaryto prove the "prospectivenational benefit"
[requiredof aliensseekingto qualify as"exceptional."]Theburdenwill restwith the
alien to establishthat exemptionfrom, or waiverof, thejob offer will be in the
nationalinterest.Eachcaseis to bejudgedonits ownmerits.
Matterof NewYorkStateDept.of Transportation,22 I&N Dec.215(Act.Assoc.Comm'r 1998),has
setforth severalfactorswhich mustbe consideredwhen evaluatinga requestfor a nationalinterest
waiver. First, the petitionermust showthat the alien seeksemploymentin an areaof substantial
intrinsicmerit. Next, thepetitionermustshowthat the proposedbenefitwill be nationalin scope.
Finally,thepetitionerseekingthewaivermustestablishthatthealienwill servethenationalinterestto a
substantiallygreaterdegreethan would an availableU.S. worker having the same minimum
qualifications.
While thenationalinterestwaiverhingeson prospectivenationalbenefit,thepetitionermustestablish
thatthealien'spastrecordjustifiesprojectionsof futurebenefitto thenationalinterest.Thepetitioner's
subjectiveassurancethat the alien will, in the future,servethe nationalinterestcannotsufficeto
establishprospectivenationalbenefit. Theintentionbehindtheterm"prospective"is to requirefuture
contributionsby the alien,ratherthanto facilitatethe entryof an alienwith no demonstrableprior
achievements,andwhosebenefittothenationalinterestwouldthusbeentirelyspeculative.
TheAAO alsonotesthattheregulationat 8 C.F.R.§ 204.5(k)(2)defines"exceptionalability" as"a
degreeof expertisesignificantlyabovethatordinarilyencountered"in a givenareaof endeavor.By
statute, aliens of exceptional ability are generally subject to the job offer/labor certification
requirement;they arenot exemptby virtue of their exceptionalability. Therefore,whethera given
alienseeksclassificationasanalienof exceptionalability, or asamemberof theprofessionsholding
an advanceddegree,that alien cannot qualify for a waiver just by demonstratinga degreeof
expertisesignificantlyabovethatordinarilyencounteredin hisor herfield of expertise.
The petitioner filed the Form I-140 petition on October 21, 2009. In an accompanyingletter,
counselstated:
[The petitioner's] past, ongoing and prospectiveleadershiprole as a mechanical
engineerspecializingin solvinga varietyof problemsin healthcaretechnologyand
finance,unquestionablyservestheU.S.nationalinterest.
Page4
. . . [Thepetitioner]hasbroughthis substantialexpertiseto bearon theresearchand
developmentof innovative,groundbreaking,technologiesandcomputersoftwarethat
power,sustainandenhancetwo main areasof industry:healthcaretechnologyand
ce. As a researchassistantat the
thepetitioner]developeda telereha i itation
systemin w p an movemnts could be analyzedby strappinginertial
sensorsto their hands.. . . [The petitioner's]researchreportson this project were
publishedin peer-reviewedjournalsandwerewidely citedin thescientificliterature.
[The petitioner]thenplayeda critical role in the devel mentof a wirelesshealth
monitoringsensornetworkat . . .
[Thepetitioner]hasalsoappliedhis mathematicalmodelingandtechnologyskills to
finance. At State StreetCorporation,he has developedthe risk model for the
securitieslendingdivisionby usingstatisticalandoptimizationtechniques.. . .
At
multibillion dollar endowment,[the petitioner]developedan algorithmto estimate
hedgefundliquidity.. . .
ner rrentl rves as a Vice Presidentand
, wherehe is identifying ways to
determinethe best investmentmanagementstrategiesby using mathematicaland
statisticaltechniques.. . .
[Thepetitioner's]leadershiproleattwo prestigiousUSinstitutionsandtwo important
US companies,all with global presencein their respectivespheres,have directly
contributedto the developmentof original technology.. . . [The petitioner] now
continuesto offer solutionsto technologicalchallengesthatfacethefinancialservices
industry as it continuesto reboundfrom its currentdownturn,both in the United
States and throughout the world. The impact of [the petitioner's] work as a
mechanical engineer is thus clearly national and indeed international in scope.
. . . Seniorbusinessexecutives,researchers,academiciansandengineersin the field
of technologydevelopmentconfirm [the petitioner's] distinguishedreputationas a
mechanicalengineerwhosework hasboth advancedhis specialtyfield andopened
new lines of opportunityfor professionalsin other relatedareasof specialization.
Pleasenote that [the petitioner's] employmentwithin industryhas madehis work
largely subjectto corporateproprietaryregulations. Nonetheless,the impactof his
work in thefinancialservicesindustry,andmoregenerallyin thefieldsof mechanical
engineeringand mathematicalmodelingis indisputablygreaterthan that of other
exceptionallyproductiveprofessionalsof comparableexperience.
Page5
Thepetitionersubmittedsix witnessletterswith theinitial filin of the tition.
associateprofessor and director of the
I servedas h titioner's] directsupervisorwhenheworkedin the
His obvioustechnicaltalentscoupledwith his capacityfor independentwork andhis
maturity made[the petitioner]an extremelyvaluableadditionto my researchteam.
One hallmark of his technicalresearchcredentialsis the unique combinationof
innovation and theoretical rigor that he combines with practical real-world
implementationsof theseconcepts.. . .
[H]e first developedaMATLAB to Direct-X interfacein orderto allow directcontrol
of a ForceFeedbackwheel- which he hasnot packagedwith documentationand
postedon MATLAB Central (http://matlabcentral.com)for use by the research-
communityat large. Additionally, he utilized a virtual-human-modelingpackage,
allowingfor playbackof thepatient'srehabilitationexercisesvia thevirtual avatarto
a therapist. Finally, worthy of mention are the various data acquisition,signal
processingandmotioncontrolapplicationsthathedevelopedto helpsupportthelab
efforts.
I am familiar with [the petitioner's] work since 2004, when we collaboratedon
controlalgorithmsfor wirelesssensornetworksat
This multi-disciplinary,cutting edgeresearchinvolved mathematicalmodeling of
sensornetworksanduseof numericaloptimizationtechniquesto optimally control
suchnetworks. [The petitioner] usedelegantmathematicalmodel approximation
methods. We were able to solve the control problem . . . due to the mathematical
techniqueimplementedby [the petitioner]. . . . The method identified by [the
petitioner]is capableof providingthe desiredoutputwithin the computationaland
powerconstraintsof typical sensornetworks.
. . . Without doubt, I consider[the petitioner] to be an outstandingresearcherand
professionalin thefield of mathematicalmodelingandits multi-disciplinarypractical
applications.
After working for abouta yearat6, the petitionershiftedhis careerfocusto the
financialindust vice presidentandseniorquantitativeanalystat
stated:
Page6
[Thepetitioner]andI havenevercollaboratedandwehavemetonly in thecontextof
professionalmeetings,but I am familiar with his work on risk modelingfor the
securitieslendingbusiness f I havealsobriefly lookedat his work on
hedgefundliquidityfor the . . .
I havebeenfollowing [the petitioner's] work on financial risk modelingfor M
since2008.. . . I amresponsiblefor the audit andinternalreview of models
deployedby . I have examinedvariousmodelsdevelopedby the
securitieslendingteam,includingthe work of [the petitioner]. In particular,[the
petitioner]wasresponsiblefor developingoptimizationroutinesfor measuringrisk in
securitieslending transactions,and implementingthose routines in the
. My opinionwasthattheroutinesandcodewrittenby [thepetitioner]were
bothof veryhighquality.
Regardingthepetitioner'ssubsequentwork atHarvardManagementCompany, stated:"I
believethatmodelsof liquidity risk of hedgefundssuchastheonedevelopedby [thepetitioner]are
timely and welcomed." At the sametime, however, acknowledgedthat he had "not
conductedaformal review of [thepetitioner's]model."
I haveknown[thepetitioner]since2005whenhewashiredin my groupbasedonhis
excellent researchexperiencewith mathematicalmodeling and optimization in
engineering.Without anybackgroundin financialmodeling,he learnedthecomplex
businessof SecuritiesFinanceandourrisk andanalyticssystems,andproposedbetter
waysto modelinjust afew months.. . . He wenton to developtechnologyinterfaces
which would allow the use of models developedin modeling software to be
seamlesslyused in a large technologyinfrastructure. This technologyinterface
provedto be very robustandstoodthe testof time. Overall,his work helpedus in
modeling and reporting financial risk in a very efficient manner.
Thescopeof his work is by no meanslimited to StateStreetCorporation.Research
hasshownthat securitieslendingfacilitatesefficiency in securitiesmarkets.. . . The
risk models,developedby [the petitioner],helpedin capturingthe risk in the
securitieslendingbusinessin a mannerin which a companycanmaximizeits market
efficiencyfunctionwithout unduerisk to the company. I believethe quality of his
solutionswasexcellentandcertainlyworth presentationat professionalconferences
or publicationat peer-reviewedjournals. Unfortunatelythis researchcan not be
publishedin openliteraturedueto itsproprietarynature.
Page7
[The petitioner] was invited to join our risk group in 2008 basedon his strong
mathematical modeling skills and achievementsin the area of technology
development.. . . Heproposedandimplementedanumberof automationtoolswhich
canhelprisk analystsautomatemanualandroutinework. Becauseof thesetoolsour
analystscouldsavesubstantialamountsof time,thusaffordingthemtheopportunity
for moreproductiveanalysis.. . .
[The petitioner's]researchspecialtyin the domainof financial industrywas in the
designandvalidationof in houseor vendorsuppliedrisk systems.. . . His work on
modelingliquidity of alternativeassetclasseswasa substantialbreakthroughin the
areaof liquidity risk management.The modelhe developedremainsa very useful
tool in conductingscenarioanalysisrelatedto theunderstandingof liquidity aswell
asassetliability managementproblemstypically facedby almostall the university
endowments.. . .
[The petitioner's] researchin financial risk managementis unique, timely and
significantasinstitutional investorsfaceunprecedentedchallengesin optimizing their
investmentportfolios in the faceof currenteconomicupheaval. [The petitioner's]
experiencein otherareasof industry,notablyroboticsandtechnology,affordshim
tremendousperspectivein designingmultidisciplinarysolutionsto thesefinancial
managementchallenges.
[The petitioner] has tangibly influencedhis peersin the designof mathematical
modelsfor liquidity risk, andhe will certainlycontinuehis alreadyexceptionaltrack
recordof practicalcontributionsto our discipline.
chief operatingofficer of provideda muchbriefer
(four-sentence)letter,statingthatthepetitioner"distinguishedhimselfby his creativethinkingin
modelingandhis ability to analyzeandprovidetechnicalsolutionsto complexproblems."
The petitioner submittedcopies of severaljournal articles and conferencepresentationabstracts
relatingto his work with roboticsandmedicaltechnology.Thepetitioneralsodocumentedseveral
citationsof thepublishedworks.
In a requestfor evidenceJanuary20,2010,thedirectorinstructedthepetitionerto submitevidence
to showthathis financialwork meetstheguidelinespublishedin Matter ofNew YorkStateDept.of
Transportation.Thedirectoralsostated:
It appearsthatyouwork asa quantitativeanalyst.However,youareusingyourwork
asa mechanicalengineerto supportyour applicationfor a NationalInterestWaiver.
Your work as a mechanicalengineeris unrelatedto your work as a quantitative
analyst. Therefore,the evidenceof citations,scholarlyarticlesand supportletters
relatedto mechanicalengineeringwill notbeconsidered.
Page8
In response,counselstated:"We wholeheartedlydisagree"with theaboveassertion.Counselasked
thedirectorto "considertheenclosedtestimonyfrom leadingrepresentativesin the healthcareand
financialindustries,andacademia,who explainthe importantconnectionthat existsbetweenthese
seeminglydistinctdisciplines."The"enclosedtestimony"consistedof threeletters.
stated:
At the nexusof institutionalfinanceandoptimizationscience,few arepositionedto
develop innovative tools to addressinvestment risk managementwith the same
sophisticationas [the petitioner]. His researchpublications in the fields of
mechanicalengineeringand optimizationearnedhim the respectof his academic
peers and sparkedinterest in the financial industry, and led to his sequential
recruitmentatthreeleadingfinancialinstitutions.. . .
His trainingprepareshim extraordinarilyto contributesignificantlyin financialrisk
managementm large institutions. His field of expertiserequiresstate-of-the-art
mathematicalandstatisticalanalyticsapplicablefor a variety of new and different
scenarios.
As quotedabove, did notexplainhowthepetitioner'stwo fieldsarerelated;hesimply
assertedthattheyarerelated.
Priorwitness providedasecondletter,andstated:
Technologydevelopmentis increasinglybecomingan interdisciplinaryfield that
attractsscientistswho areableto effectivelytranslateandimplementtheir research
efforts into real-world applications. A wealth of experiencein the area of
optimization and mechanical engineering lends [the petitioner] an advantage when
attempting to conceptualize and implement advancements in technological
developmentsin the financial industry, and further distinguisheshim from his
colleagues.
claimedthat the petitioner'sfinancial work uses"the sameconceptsthat he artfully
manipulatedin therealmof mechanicalengineering,"but hedid not identify those"concepts."
:1
I personallyhired [the petitioner]basedon his modelingexperienceacrossvarious
fields,andparticularlybecauseof his ability to applyhis engineeringmethodologyto
finance. Additionally, his recordof publicationin peer-reviewedscientificjournals
Page9
was a significant factor in his selection,as it is my intention to publish in the
academicliterature,and I soughta candidatewho could provideleadershipin this
regard.
[The petitioner's] work involves . . . his investigationof new methodologiesto
identify skilled managersand create tools that team memberscan use while
recommendingmanagers. One of the first tools he developedused numerical
optimization techniquesbaseddirectly on his engineeringtraining. He has also
investigatedacademicliteratureto understandhow scientistshave usedmodeling
techniquesto identify goodmanagers.While efficientmarkettheorysaysthateither
skilled managerscannotbe identified,or managersdo not have skills at all, [the
petitioner's]preliminaryresultsshowthat neitherof theseassumptionsareentirely
true. Heis currentlymodelingmanagerskillsusingacombinationof engineeringand
financeknowledge. With his uniqueinterdisciplinaryapproach,he has identified
some of the shortcomingsof current performancemeasuresused to evaluate
managers'investmentperformance.I stronglybelievethis groundbreakingstudywill
enhanceour investmentadvice to our U.S. clients. In addition, we anticipate
releasinga summaryof our findingsandexpectthatit will havea significantimpact
onmodelingmethodologyandinvestmentadvisorypracticeacrosstheentirefinancial
industry. This newmethodologyalsostandsto assistindividualclientsin protecting
their investments.
In his own statement,thepetitionerdiscussed"the emergingmultidisciplinaryfield calledFinancial
Engineering,"andstatedthat his "researchwork on engineeringoptimization"hasenabledhim to
makecontributionsnot only in mechanicalengineering,"but alsoto thenation'seconomythrough
thefinancecontext." Thepetitionerassertedthatmechanicalengineeringandfinancialengineering
use"thesameoptimizationtechniquesfor makinginvestmentdecisions."Thepetitionerthenquoted
from several witness letters to support the proposition that he has "a consistentrecord of
achievementirrespectiveof the specific area of researchwith different employersthat justifies
projected future benefits." The petitioner claimed that the labor certification processcannot take his
specialattributesinto account,andthat"failure to considerthesefactorscouldresultin a denialof a
labor certification." About five weeksafter the petitionerwrote thesewords,the Departmentof
Labor approveda labor certificationapplicationon his behalf. The actualapprovalof a labor
certificationnullifies anyhypotheticalclaimsaboutthepossibledenialthereof.
The petitioner's two careerpathshaveboth involved computerscienceand complex mathematical
computationsin someway, but this overlapdoesnot compelthe conclusionthat graduate-level
medicaltechnologyresearchrelatesdirectlyto acareerin thefinancialsector,or thatthepetitioneris
betterpreparedfor his intendedwork than an individual who holds academicdegreesthat relate
moredirectlyto thefinancialsector.Whateverthepetitioner'spastsuccesseswith medicalrobotics
andrelatedtechnologies,heoffersnoprospectivebenefitto theUnitedStatesin thatareabecausehe
is nowa quantitativeanalystfor thefinancialindustry.
Page10
The AAO acknowledges assertionthat the petitionerplans to publish his findings
regardingmanagerskills, but thereis no evidencethatthepetitionerhasalreadypublishedanything
in thefinancialservicesfield. An applicantor petitionermustestablishthatheor sheis eligiblefor
therequestedbenefitatthetimeof filing theapplicationor petition. 8 C.F.R.§ 103.2(b)(1).If the
petitionerhasnotpublishedin hiscurrentfield asof thefiling date,little weightattachesto tentative
plansto publish at someundefinedfuturetime. Furthermore,citation of the petitioner's prior work
in a very different areaof endeavordoesnot imply or suggestthat the petitioner's financial
publicationswill havesimilarinfluence.
ThedirectordeniedthepetitiononJune30,2010. Thedirectoracknowledgedtheintrinsicmeritof
the petitioner'soccupation,and also stated:"An alien seeking[a national interestwaiver] must
presenta national benefit so great as to outweigh the national interest inherent in the labor
certificationprocess.Thepetitioner'snationalbenefitmeetstherequirementsof this section." The
director then, however,offered the contradictoryfinding that the petitioner's work lacks national
scopebecause"the benefitof thepetitioner'sserviceswill be limited [to]
' Thedirectordid notexplainhowthepetitioner'swork lacksnationalscope
but offers"nationalbenefit."
On appeal, counsel arguesthat "[n]one of the servicesprovided by the petitioner can be
characterizedasbeinglocal." Counselfoundthedirector'sconflictingfindingsto be "paradoxical"
and "deeplytroubling." The AAO agreesthat the director'sdecisioncontainsself-contradictory
elements,butdoesnot sharecounsel'sconclusionasto wheretheerrorliesin thatdecision.
Assertingthe national scopeof the petitioner's work, counselacknowledgesthat much of the
petitioner's work product is proprietary, but statesthat the petitioner "would gladly develop
proprietarymodelsfor otheremployers"if his immigrationstatuspermittedhim to do so. TheAAO
rejectsthe argumentthat USCIS must first grant the waiver in order to createthe conditionsthat
wouldthenjustify that waiver. TheAAO hasalreadyquotedthe USCISregulationat 8 C.F.R.
§ 103.2(b)(1),statingthatthepetitionermustbe eligibleat thetime of filing. A petitionercannot
become eligible under a new set of facts at a future date. Matter of Katigbak, 14 I&N Dec. 45, 49
(Comm'r 1971).
Counselnotes"the nationalpresenceof which "is a nationally recognizedfinancial
insti ousandsof employees,costumerssic] in all 50states,"and"assets. . . valuedat
over It doesnot follow thatthe dutiesof every employeehavenational
scope.The recorddoesnot establishtheextentof the petitioner'sinfluenceover total
nationalholdings.Thepetitioner'swork maybenationalin scope,buttherecordcontainsinsufficient
evidenceto confirmthatconclusion.
fficial to submit a statementfor the record,protested"the
misperception01[thepetitioner's]work asbeingexclusivelybeneficialto our company"andurged
considerationof "the nationalimplicationsof his contributionsto investmentmanagerperformance
andinvestmentadvisoryservices." however,offeredlittle informationaboutwhatthose
Page11
contributionsare. He statedthat the petitioner's "preliminary results" contradictconventional
wisdomin thefield, buthedid not indicatethatthepetitioner'swork hadproducedprovenor viable
solutionsatthetimeof filing in October2009.
Goingon recordwithout supportingdocumentaryevidenceis not sufficientfor purposesof meeting
theburdenof proofin theseproceedings.Matterof Soffici,22 I&N Dec.158,165(Comm'r1998)
(citing Matter of TreasureCraft of California, 14I&N Dec. 190(Reg'l Comm'r 1972)). An alien
seekingthe waiver must show"a pasthistory of demonstrableachievementwith somedegreeof
influenceon the field asa whole." Matter of New YorkStateDept. of Transportation,22 I&N Dec.
219n.6.
TheAAO notesthat filed aFormI-140petitiononthealien'sbehalf,with anapproved
laborcertification,on September27,2010. Thedirectorapprovedthatpetitionon October5, 2010.
Theapprovedpetition,with a priority dateof April 1,2010,classifiedthebeneficiaryasa member
of the professionsholding an advanceddegree. The Departmentof Labor approvedthe labor
certificationonJune29,2010,amonthbeforethealienfiledthepresentappealonAugust2,2010.
On the ETA Form 9089labor certificationapplication, istedthe alien's currentjob
duties with that company. The listed duties did not mcu e anaysis of "investmentmanager
performance"or publicationof theresultsof suchanalysis.Thereis, therefore,reasonto question
how centralsuchanalysisis to thealien'sactualandintendeddutiesat In anyevent,
the alien now holds the classificationsought, and his employerhas met the job offer/labor
certificationrequirementthatthealiensoughtto waive.
As is clearfrom a plain readingof the statute,it wasnot the intentof Congressthat everyperson
qualifiedto engagein aprofessionin theUnitedStatesshouldbeexemptfromtherequirementof ajob
offer basedon nationalinterest.Likewise,it doesnot appearto havebeenthe intentof Congressto
grantnationalinterestwaiversonthebasisof theoverallimportanceof a givenprofession,ratherthan
on themeritsof the individualalien. On thebasisof theevidencesubmitted,thepetitionerhasnot
establishedthat a waiverof the requirementof an approvedlaborcertificationwill be in the national
interestof the United States.
The burdenof proof in theseproceedingsrestssolelywith the petitioner. Section291 of the Act,
8 U.S.C.§ 1361. The petitionerhasnot sustainedthatburden.
ORDER: Theappealisdismissed.