Brian Lisonbee

Picture this: you're at the peak of your field–publications stacking up, awards in hand, peers seeking your judgment. You've crushed at least three (often five or more) of the EB-1A criteria. Yet USCIS still slams the door with a vague "not quite extraordinary enough" in the final merits step. That frustrating extra hurdle? A federal judge in Nebraska just called it out as questionable. In the Jan 28, 2026 ruling in Mukherji v. Miller, the federal appeals court didn't mince words . . .

When preparing an EB-1A petition, it's natural to want every achievement and document included in your case. However, our legal team makes careful choices about what evidence to submit. Here are some of the reasons why we may not include all of the evidence a client provides us. Relevance to EB-1A Criteria Evidence needs to map directly to the EB-1A regulatory criteria, such as major awards, published work, or a lasting impact in your field. Submitting documents that don't clearly . . .

Filing an EB-1A petition is a critical step for individuals with extraordinary ability seeking permanent residency in the U.S., and it requires far more than simply showcasing professional accomplishments. You must provide compelling, well-documented evidence that clearly demonstrates sustained national or international acclaim, and positions you at the top of your field. With denial rates trending upward [1], even minor oversights can lead to significant setbacks–wasting time, resources . . .