How to Defeat USCIS Membership Objections with Evidence That Speaks for Itself
Turn Membership into Merit
USCIS Objection: What They Are Really Saying
The adjudicator is stating:
Your membership does not require outstanding achievements.
The bylaws show multiple membership tiers (Honorary Fellow, Fellow, Member, Associate, Student).
The level you hold (Fellow) is not the highest, and USCIS believes it does not require eminence.
They do not see clear evidence that your selection required recognition of your achievements.
This is a legal standard issue. The criteria require that the membership:
Is exclusive,
Requires outstanding accomplishments,
Involves judgment by experts, and
Cannot be something people join by paying a fee or meeting minimal eligibility.
How to Defeat This RFE
To win against this reasoning, you must change the narrative with stronger evidence and tighter argumentation.
Read further to understand the nuances of RFEs, and why merit evaluation is essential.
1. Show that the tier you hold is achievement-based and selective
You must prove:
Fellow status is not automatic
It requires nomination, peer review, and significant achievements
It has acceptance rates, qualifications, or selection committee notes
You can use:
Official bylaws
Selection committee guidelines
Screenshots from the association’s website
Letters from association leaders
Evidence that Fellows represent a small percentage of members
Sample argument
“Although multiple membership levels exist, the Fellow designation is the highest achievement-based tier accessible through professional evaluation. Admission is granted only after rigorous peer review assessing sustained contributions, recognized impact, and professional distinction. This standard exceeds that of ordinary membership and represents the top percentile of professionals within the organization.”
2. Clarify USCIS’s misunderstanding of the bylaws
USCIS often misinterprets bylaws because they read them quickly and literally.
You can clarify:
Honorary Fellow is ceremonial
Fellow is the highest merit-based tier
Member, Associate, and Student are not comparable and require no achievements
Key point:
Honorary Fellow is honorary; Fellow is earned.
3. Prove that Fellow status is rare
If you can show:
Only x% of total members are Fellows
Fellows are selected annually through strict approval
Public announcements list Fellows as leaders in the field
This defeats USCIS’s assertion that it is not eminent.
4. Provide letters from the organization explaining the merit criteria
These letters should state:
Fellows must demonstrate significant accomplishments
The selection committee assesses contributions and impact
Only a small number reach this level
It is recognized internationally as a marker of excellence
Letters from committee chairs are especially powerful.
5. Show how your achievements directly led to your selection
Explain:
What accomplishments made you eligible
What evidence the committee reviewed
Why you were distinguished among your peers
Turn your resume into Portfolio, the merit standard.
How to Rewrite the Rebuttal in a Strong Legal Style
Here is a ready-to-use rebuttal paragraph:
The Fellow designation within the IET is not a routine membership tier. It represents a selective, merit-based recognition awarded only after peer review of a candidate’s professional achievements, contributions, and leadership in engineering. While Honorary Fellow is ceremonial and granted without evaluation, the Fellow category is the highest level requiring a technical assessment of accomplishments. Only a small percentage of IET members reach this level, and the evaluation focuses on the individual’s sustained impact and distinction. Therefore, the Fellow grade satisfies the USCIS regulatory requirement that admission be based on outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts in the field.
What Not to Do
Do not argue:
“I worked hard so I deserve it.”
“This is a well-known association.”
“It’s respected internationally.”
USCIS cares only about selection criteria, not popularity. Please consult with legal attorney for qualitative approach.
Note: Legal arguments require legal guidance. Get your merit evaluation reviewed with licensed immigration attorneys.
