SHAO

11 I. & N. Dec. 845

• Court: Board of Immigration Appeals
• Decided: July 1, 1966
• Docket: 1652
• Status: Published

Opinion

Interim Decision #1652

MATFER OF SHAO

In Visa Petition Proceedings A-13743889 Decided by District Director August 29, 1966 Since an economist is a member of the professions within the meaning of neaten 101(a) (1)2), Immigration and IfttimeWlit, Act, ne amended by P.L. 89236, and since beneficiary, who has a master's degree in economics, is a qualified economist, a visa petition is approved to accord him preference classification under section 203(a) (8) of the Act, as amended.

The petition was filed to classify the beneficiary as a preference immigrant under section 203(a) (3) of the Immigration and Nation- ality Act, as amended, as a member of the professimis bakd upon his qualifications as an economist. The beneficiary is a 26-year-old male, citizen of China, who is presently residing in Wilmette, Illinois. He completed a two-year course in accounting - at Chengbmg University, Taiwan, Taiwan m 1962. He then. completed a one-year course in economics at Tak Ming College, Kowloon, Hong Kong in 1968. He received a bache- lor'd degree in business administration from Ohio University in 1964 and his Master's degree in economics from the University of Kansas in 1965. Since August 24, 1965, the beneficiary has been employed as a management trainee in the controller department of the General Finance Corporation in Evanston, Illinois, completing practical training. Economists are listed among professional occupations under code 0-36.11 in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Whims II, second edition, prepared by the United States Department of Labor. In the third edition of publication, economists are listed under pro- fessional,. technical, and managerial occupations, code 050.088. Economists conduct research, prepare reports, and formulate plans to aid in the solution of economic problems arising from production and distribution of goods and services. They devise methods of col- lecting and processing economic and statistical data and compile, or- 845 Interim Decision #1652 ganize and interpret snub • data. They also advise industrial concerns and government agencies on matters such as operating efficiency, mar- keting methods and fiscal problems. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1966-67 edition, of the United States Department of Labor, states that a •achelor's degree in economics is sufficient for many beginning research jobs in government and private industry, although persons employed in such jobs are not always regarded as professional economists. The master's degree in economics is 'gen- erally required. for appointment as a college instructor. In govern- ment or private industry, economists with the master's degree can usually qualify for more responsible positions than are open to those with only the bachelor's degree. In Matter of Shia, Interim Decision #1606, it was determined that a financial economist who had earned a, master's degree in eco- nomies was qual;fipfl for classification as a member of the profes- sions. For the reasons discussed in that decision it is concluded that persons with advanced degrees in economics, as well as persons with bachelor's degrees in economics supplemented by further study or training in that field, may be considered as members of a profession. The beneficiary in the instant case with a master's degree in eco- nomics is qualified as a professional economist. Therefore, the pe- tion will be approved. It is ordered that the petition be and the same is hereby approved.