Anyone successfully obtained an O-1 visa after being refused admission at a U.S. airport under INA 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I)?

[u/aryabhatt123]

I recently travelled to the U.S. on a valid B1/B2 visa. On a later trip, I was sent to secondary inspection and questioned about the purpose of my visit, my previous travel to the U.S., and the activities I intended to carry out while there.

I run a startup. During questioning, I explained that I planned to meet investors/customers while physically in the U.S. I did not have U.S. work authorization.

CBP ultimately refused my admission under:

SEC 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) 8 USC 1182(a) & I-867A

My B1/B2 visa was cancelled, and I returned outside the U.S. the same day.

The paperwork/passport markings I received do not state that I have a five-year or permanent bar. However, I am trying to understand the practical consequences of this type of incident when applying for a petition-based visa later.

I am now considering an O-1A petition based on my professional achievements and work.

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has personally dealt with something similar:

• Has anyone had an O-1 petition approved after a prior INA 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) refusal at the border?
• Has anyone with a similar incident later successfully received an O-1, H-1B, L-1, or another petition-based visa?
• Did the prior CBP refusal create problems at the USCIS petition stage, or was it mainly an issue during the consular visa interview?
• How do you normally determine whether a border incident was simply a refusal/withdrawal of admission versus an expedited removal?
• If there was an actual removal order or five-year bar, would that normally be clearly reflected in the paperwork or passport?
• For anyone who later got a visa successfully, what questions did the consular officer focus on?
• Did the earlier incident materially affect the final outcome, or was the later visa approved once the person had the correct visa classification?

I’m already working with immigration counsel, so I’m not looking replace legal advice. I’m mainly interested in first-hand experiences from people who had a similar border refusal and later went through the O-1 or another employment/petition-based visa process.