Matter of Cornell University (Board decision, November 24, 1987)

Plain-English summary

The Commissioner affirmed approval of a visa petition filed by an education and research institution for a plasma physicist employed as a research scientist. The regulations generally limited H-1 classification to five years, with a possible sixth year in extraordinary circumstances. The record showed that the beneficiary was a key member of research projects under four government contracts and that the institution's inability to retain him would cause serious hardship while it recruited a replacement. The request for an additional period of temporary employment was therefore approved.

Decision snapshot

• Cited authorities: 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(H)(i); 8 C.F.R. §§ 214.2, 214.2(h)(10)(ii), and 214.2(h)(11)(ii)
• Outcome: The director's approval of the visa petition was affirmed.
• Key point: A sixth year of H-1 temporary employment may be allowed when the record establishes extraordinary circumstances, including serious hardship to a research institution and nationally significant projects.

Full text (BIA official public release)

Interim Decision #3062

MATTER OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY

In Visa Petition Proceedings

EAC 880050007

Decided by Commissioner November 24, 1987

Regulations effective March 30, 1987, permit a total period. of time in "H-1" classification of only 5 years or, in some extraordi- nary circumstances, up to a maximum of 6 years. Extraordinary circumstances exist, in the case of a plasma physicist who is a key member of a research team, where it is shown that denial of an extension of stay would result in serious hardship to the petitioner and to research projects of national significance in which the peti- tioner is involved under contract with United States Government agencies. ON BEHALF OF PETITIONER: Pro se

The nonimmigrant visa petition was approved by the director and lies now before the Commissioner on certification. The direc- tor's decision will be affirmed. The petitioner is an education and research institution which seeks to extend the validity of its visa petition previously approved on behalf of the beneficiary as a research scientist. The beneficiary was initially accorded "H - 1" nonimmigrant status in August 1982. The director determined the petitioner had demonstrated the exist- ence of extraordinary circumstances to warrant the granting the exceptional sixth year of temporary employment. The record shows the beneficiary is a plasma physicist who is a key member involved in research projects under four government contracts. Current regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2, effective March 30, 1987, and published in the Federal Register, 52 Fed. Reg. 5750 (1987), have made 6 years the maximum, limit for temporary stay. Title 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(hX1OXii) (1988) states that an alien whn has spent 5 or 6 years in the United States under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(H)(i) (1982), may not be readmitted to the United States under the "H" visa 650
 Interim Decision #3062

classification unless that alien has resided and been physically present outside the United States for the immediate prior year. Title 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(11)(ii) (1988) states in part that the total period of approvals, including the initial approval, may not exceed 5 years, except in extraordinary circumstances. The number of pe- titions filed is not relevant. The beneficiary in this matter has been employed in the United States for an aggregate period of more than 5 years as of the date the petition was filed. In order to qualify for an extension into the sixth year, the petitioner must demonstrate the presence of excep- tional circumstances. Evidence has been presented to clearly dem- onstrate that the unavailability of this beneficiary will create seri- ous hardship to the institution and to the research projects of sig- nificant national interest under contract. The record shows the pe- titioner is involved in at least four research projects with the United States Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the United States Office of Naval Research, in which the beneficiary is a key member of the research. team. The petitioner is actively recruiting a replacement for the beneficiary but, as yet, has not been successful. It is concluded that the petitioner's request warrants the granting of cm additional period of temporary employment in the United States based on ex- traordinary circumstances. ORDER: The director's decision is affirmed.

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