If USCIS downplays your publications and citations, what else do you have to show them?

Many people on social media (Reddit especially) are in awe when USCIS issues them an RFE questioning the second prong. They probably thought: "How come? I have hundreds/thousands of citations! That is more than enough!"

Is it though?

If 95% of your Prong 2 is about your publications and citations, and if those are downplayed by the officer, what else do you have to show them? Are you aware of what Prong 2 actually means and how Dhanasar was found well-positioned? SPOILER: it wasn't only through his publications and citations.

Based on Google Scholar, Dr. Dhanasar had around 20 citations when his case was adjudicated (he now has 127). But if you look at the precedent decision, it was both his leading role in important projects AND the governmental interest in his specific research, supported by letters from NASA and AFRL, that made him well-positioned. His education, experience, and publications were just a fraction of the totality of evidence.

This goes to show that when it comes to the second prong, publications and citations cannot be the only pillar of your petition, because if they are questioned, you won't have anything else to show. RFEs generally list several types of evidence considered when making a decision, including expert letters, media coverage, patents, letters of interest from U.S. parties, evidence that the work has influenced the field, a model of future activities, a professional or business plan, and evidence of progress in achieving the endeavor, among other types of documentation.

Building a case is like building a house. You need several pillars and a solid foundation to make it stand.

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