EB-1A Case Study: How a Coach’s Vision for Inclusive Sports Demonstrated Extraordinary Ability  

The RFE issued by USCIS raised important questions about the sports coach’s eligibility for EB-1A status, particularly regarding the unity of his field: physical education and sports science. It conflated these fields as two distinct areas of interest. This differentiation mattered because the EB-1A standard requires extraordinary ability to be shown within one clearly defined area of expertise. 

Beyond this fundamental issue, the RFE went further. It challenged nearly every major category of evidence presented: from memberships in professional associations, to the credibility of published media, to proof of the client’s leadership in distinguished organizations. Each of these categories, in USCIS’s view, either lacked clarity, sufficient documentation, or failed to meet the plain language of the criteria. 

For our client, the RFE called to question his achievements that had already transformed classrooms, sports academies, and communities. The challenge lay in ensuring that USCIS could see what experts, peers, and institutions around the world had long acknowledged: a career built on innovation, inclusion, and impact at the highest level of his profession. 

What ultimately mattered was advocacy: making USCIS see the unity of a lifetime’s work. Or, as Mr. De Lucia described it:  

“The difficulty here wasn’t a lack of accomplishments. It instead fell at the nexus point of educating the officer about how our client’s experience was truly unique and fell within a unified arena for assessment. Again, this is a tremendously successful and accomplished individual with years of demonstrable experience, and a lack of understanding from USCIS was not a justified excuse for them to simply ignore evidence. As such, we worked diligently to argue in support of our client to elucidate the true core of their field, and provide concrete arguments supported by evidence to rebut the misunderstandings and assertions of the adjudicating officer.”

Faced with an RFE that questioned both the unity of the client’s field and the strength of his evidence, our team knew the response had to do more than provide additional documents. Mr. De Lucia began by addressing the core issue: USCIS’s view that physical education and sports science were separate fields. Each step of the strategy was designed to meet USCIS’s high standards for EB-1A approval for a sports coach, from proving prestigious memberships to validating critical leadership roles.  

With independent evaluations and academic evidence, the response showed that research and teaching in these disciplines work hand in hand as one unified field. For memberships, we provided bylaws and leadership letters showing that honorary membership in a global federation required decades of contributions and international recognition. For published material, we submitted complete press articles and academic references that met regulatory requirements and highlighted the client’s innovations in inclusive sports and education. For leading and critical roles, we consolidated opinions from university officials, coaches, and independent professionals, proving his leadership was essential to the success of programs at distinguished institutions worldwide. 

Our response strategy effectively demonstrated that our client met the strict criteria required for this EB-1A for a sports coach, and that his career exemplifies the extraordinary ability the classification was designed to honor. 

This strategy worked because it didn’t just present documents, it told a story the officer could follow. As Mr. De Lucia explained: 

“What made this case successful was not only the inherent strength of the evidence itself, but the creative contextualization of the evidence in line with the statutory criteria of the EB-1A visa itself. It was important to ensure that every element of each criteria was clearly and concisely met in the context of the evidence itself by providing direct explanations and argument that, again, served to educate the officer and support the ultimate conclusion that this individual certainly can count themselves among the top of their field.”

By proving that physical education and sports science are a single, unified discipline, and by providing authoritative evidence across membership, publications, and leadership roles, our response transformed an RFE that questioned the very foundation of the Petition into an approval. 

The USCIS ultimately granted this EB-1A for the sports coach, recognizing the client’s impact at the highest level of his profession.  

This mirrors other successes, such as ourEB-1A case study for an event producer from Colombia, where strategic advocacy also turned a challenging RFE into an approval.This outcome affirmed our client’s past accomplishments and cleared the way for his continued work in the United States, from developing inclusive sports programs for children with special needs to mentoring the next generation of educators and coaches. 

Beyond the approval, what mattered most was ensuring the client could continue building his legacy in the United States. As Mr. De Lucia noted: 

“What made this approval meaningful wasn’t just the win itself but knowing that the client’s work will now have an even greater impact in the U.S. As I mentioned above, the true passion and dedication our client had for their work leaves me with no doubt that following this success, they will continue on in their amazing efforts to guide the youth and  next generation of athletes in the United States with an element of inclusivity that is truly unique and extraordinary.” 

With his EB-1A secured, our sports coach client is now positioned to expand his mission in the United States. His next steps include launching an inclusive soccer school that integrates technology to support children with special needs, collaborating with universities on research that advances sports science and physical education, and developing community programs that use sport as a tool for empowerment and social equity. 

His story is a reminder of what the EB-1A is designed to recognize: not just extraordinary achievement in the past, but the promise of future contributions that enrich communities, inspire the next generation, and strengthen the fabric of American society. 

 Key Takeaway: Extraordinary ability is not just about what has been achieved, but about the future impact that only a leader of this caliber can bring to the U.S.  

At Colombo & Hurd, we take pride in guiding professionals through their journey to permanent residency. From a pioneering inclusive sports coach who earned EB-1A approval to a Colombian Endocrinologist and Metabolic Disease Researcher, our strategies deliver results across fields. 

Just as our client will continue using sport and education to empower communities, we remain dedicated to helping talented individuals worldwide bring their vision, expertise, and innovation to the United States.