EB-1A Case Study: Approval for Event Producer from Colombia

Despite Attorney Castro’s thorough initial filing, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Request for Evidence (RFE) challenging multiple criteria of the EB-1A petition. The RFE questioned: 

• Whether the client would continue working in their field of endeavor in the U.S. 
• The national and international recognition of the client’s awards 
• The originality and significance of contributions to the field 
• The display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases 
• The client’s leading role at a distinguished organization 
• The client’s salary compared to others in the field 
• The commercial success of the client’s produced events 

Mr. Castro highlights the importance of providing enough context in EB-1A petitions, particularly for clients pursuing creative endeavors and entertainment immigration pathways: 

“Requests for Evidence (RFEs) are not completely unusual in EB-1A petitions—especially in creative fields where the standards are both rigid and interpretative. What makes the difference is how well we preserve the record from the beginning and how clearly we provide context. In these cases, context is everything. It’s not enough to present an award—we must explain its significance: Is it national or international? How competitive was it? Who granted it, and under what criteria? The same applies to claimed contributions. We need to show how a production was conceived, what made it original, what measurable or qualitative impact it had, and why it matters within the petitioner’s field. Each piece of evidence must be anchored in a story that USCIS can understand, and that story is built through meticulous context. 

He also explains how the attorneys at Colombo & Hurd build narratives about our clients’ accomplishments and effectively respond to challenges: 

“Our role as attorneys is to bridge that gap—to translate creative accomplishments into legal arguments, and to anticipate where USCIS might overlook or misunderstand their value. That’s exactly what we did here, and why we were able to respond strongly when the RFE came.” 

The legal team at Colombo & Hurd developed a comprehensive response strategy addressing each concern raised in the RFE:

1. Continued Work in Field of Endeavor

The team submitted a detailed schedule of the client’s upcoming work commitments and professional obligations extending into late 2025, highlighting that the majority of planned events would take place in the United States. They also provided contracts for services to be performed at musical performances across several U.S. cities, along with recommendation letters from U.S. business owners confirming future engagements.

2. Recognition of Awards

The response included extensive documentation about the prestigious nature of the client’s awards, including brochures showing the award ceremony’s history, its growth to include more categories, and its international recognition. We also provided detailed information about the selection criteria used to determine award winners.

3. Original Contributions

The legal team highlighted evidence of the client’s work organizing a Colombian cultural celebration in Texas, which earned formal recognition from the United States Congress on behalf of the constituents of the 18th Congressional District of Texas. The congressional recognition specifically praised the client’s vital role in enhancing cultural exchange between Colombia and the United States, highlighting his success in uniting diverse communities and contributing to Houston’s status as a global hub for cultural convergence.  

The response also emphasized the client’s substantial economic impact through organizing premier events which have significantly influenced the business landscape and economy in Colombia. 

Additionally, several independent recommendation letters were submitted, including one from the CEO of a management company representing global artists, attesting to the client’s unique contributions to entertainment and cultural event production. The team cited precedent case law (Buletini v. INS) to strengthen their argument that these testimonials satisfied the criterion for original contributions of major significance.

4. Display of Work

The legal team successfully argued that the client’s work products—the entertainment and cultural shows he produces—constitute artistic displays at showcases, noting that regulations do not specify that work must be a traditional artistic expression like a painting or sculpture.

5. Leading Role at Distinguished Organization

The response provided background information about the client’s company, detailing its philosophy, talent management standards, and impressive client roster in the music industry. The team emphasized that as founder, owner, legal representative, and general manager, the client plays a critical role in an organization that has earned distinction by organizing large-scale events featuring renowned Latin music artists at iconic venues.

6. High Salary

Comparative salary data from multiple sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ZipRecruiter, and Payscale, demonstrated that the client’s compensation substantially exceeds both the median and top 10% of earners in the event production field.

7. Commercial Success

Expert testimony from an event producer and CEO attested to the significant commercial success of the client’s events, which have generated millions of dollars in ticket sales and attracted nearly 50,000 attendees.  

USCIS approved the petition, recognizing the client’s extraordinary talent in entertainment and cultural event production.

This approval allows the client to continue making significant contributions to the U.S. cultural landscape through the production of diverse events that promote cultural exchange. The client can now pursue opportunities to showcase Latin American culture and bring international artists to American audiences without the constraints of temporary visas.

This case highlights several important considerations for EB-1A petitions: 

• Comprehensive Filing: Attorney Castro’s initial petition laid the groundwork by establishing the client’s extraordinary ability across multiple criteria. 
• Creative Legal Arguments: Using existing precedent effectively while making innovative arguments appropriate to the client’s field can overcome challenging RFEs. 
• Cultural Impact Recognition: Demonstrating how the client’s work positively influences both their home country and the United States strengthens the case for extraordinary ability. 

Mr. Castro shares valuable takeaways from this case, highlighting how they can inform and support fellow creatives pursuing entertainment immigration cases: 

“One of the key takeaways from this case is that success in EB-1A petitions—especially in creative industries—depends not only on the client’s accomplishments, but on how those accomplishments are framed, contextualized, and substantiated. Creative fields often require us to build the narrative from the ground up, translating intangible achievements into legal arguments that USCIS can clearly evaluate. This case reinforced the importance of preserving the record from the outset, anticipating areas of scrutiny, and being prepared to provide granular context around each criterion. Whether it’s explaining the impact of an award, the significance of a contribution, or the commercial success of a creative endeavor, every piece of evidence must be part of a coherent and persuasive story. That’s the heart of what we do—connecting our client’s talents to the legal standard in a way that withstands even the toughest scrutiny.” 

By demonstrating the client’s sustained extraordinary ability and continued impact in the field, Colombo & Hurd secured approval for this talented Event Producer to permanently bring their expertise to the United States.