Source-backed decision research

Explore how AAO evaluates evidence.

Search a substantial collection of case-specific reasoning, then narrow it by petition, field, legal issue, or date.

This expanded collection favors source-backed access over perfect automated classification. Fields, labels, summaries, and relevance may contain errors; records marked ‘broader context’ need extra care. Review the cited source before relying on any record. These appeals and motions do not show approval odds or denial rates, and are not legal advice or a prediction.

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10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 10361–10370

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary possession of advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that none of the three evaluations established that the Beneficiary's master's program required a four-year bachelor's degree for entry. Consistent with EDGE, the Beneficiary's master's degree equates only to a U.S. bachelor's degree.…

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AAO found that none of the three evaluations established that the Beneficiary's master's program required a four-year bachelor's degree for entry. Consistent with EDGE, the Beneficiary's master's degree equates only to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The California license and healthcare worker certification did not demonstrate advanced degree equivalency because the licensing board assesses specific course content rather than degree equivalency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-08_01_B5203; source_row=29177
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on this criterion because failure on criterion (ix) alone was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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AAO reserved judgment on this criterion because failure on criterion (ix) alone was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-08_01_B2203; source_row=29173
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on this criterion because failure on criterion (ix) alone was dispositive, though it noted in the conclusion that the record did not show the Petitioner's work was critical at the organizational level.

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AAO reserved judgment on this criterion because failure on criterion (ix) alone was dispositive, though it noted in the conclusion that the record did not show the Petitioner's work was critical at the organizational level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-08_01_B2203; source_row=29174
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that any reputable individual or business 'in sympathy with the purpose of the organization' could apply for and be granted membership, which does not rise to the level of 'outstanding achievements' judged by recognized experts. The Ambassador role lacked detail on selection criteria, and board membership post-dated the petition filing.

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The AAO found that any reputable individual or business 'in sympathy with the purpose of the organization' could apply for and be granted membership, which does not rise to the level of 'outstanding achievements' judged by recognized experts. The Ambassador role lacked detail on selection criteria, and board membership post-dated the petition filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-07_02_B2203; source_row=29169
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed the award was not nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field: it had very few entrants, was restricted to students at one institution, and lacked evidence of recognition beyond the awarding entity. Awards received in 2020 and 2021 were post-filing and therefore not considered.

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The AAO agreed the award was not nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field: it had very few entrants, was restricted to students at one institution, and lacked evidence of recognition beyond the awarding entity. Awards received in 2020 and 2021 were post-filing and therefore not considered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-07_02_B2203; source_row=29168
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

Display of Work at Artistic Exhibitions or Showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner provided no specific exhibition or showcase by name or date, did not describe the work displayed, and failed to show any display was artistic rather than athletic or commercial. Mere repetition of the criterion's language is insufficient.

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The Petitioner provided no specific exhibition or showcase by name or date, did not describe the work displayed, and failed to show any display was artistic rather than athletic or commercial. Mere repetition of the criterion's language is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-07_01_B2203; source_row=29163
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

Judging the Work of Others

Why AAO was not persuaded

Letters confirming the Petitioner acted as a coach do not constitute evidence of participation as a judge of other soccer athletes or coaches. Holding a coaching credential is not equivalent to actually judging others' work.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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Letters confirming the Petitioner acted as a coach do not constitute evidence of participation as a judge of other soccer athletes or coaches. Holding a coaching credential is not equivalent to actually judging others' work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-07_01_B2203; source_row=29162
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-Time Major Internationally Recognized Award

Why AAO was not persuaded

Coaching certifications representing completion of a training program are not awards. The one-time achievement standard must be interpreted narrowly, requiring global scope and international recognition as one of the top awards in the field, akin to Nobel Prize, Pulitzer, Academy Award, or Olympic Medal. The Petitioner's certificates do not meet this standard.

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Coaching certifications representing completion of a training program are not awards. The one-time achievement standard must be interpreted narrowly, requiring global scope and international recognition as one of the top awards in the field, akin to Nobel Prize, Pulitzer, Academy Award, or Olympic Medal. The Petitioner's certificates do not meet this standard.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-07_01_B2203; source_row=29160
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in Associations Requiring Outstanding Achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The FAN was assigned upon completion of the first module, meaning membership was not predicated on completing the training. The Petitioner did not submit documentary evidence of the requirements for FA membership or the Youth Award training program, and did not show that certificate signatories had any role in judging his achievements as a membership condition.

Why this is useful

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The FAN was assigned upon completion of the first module, meaning membership was not predicated on completing the training. The Petitioner did not submit documentary evidence of the requirements for FA membership or the Youth Award training program, and did not show that certificate signatories had any role in judging his achievements as a membership condition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-07_01_B2203; source_row=29161
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

Original Contributions of Major Significance

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not renew his claim to this criterion on appeal.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner did not renew his claim to this criterion on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-07_01_B2203; source_row=29166
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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