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 10601–10610

NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The reference letters contained conclusory, non-independent language mirroring EB-1A (extraordinary ability) regulatory standards rather than demonstrating actual contributions to the field; the media articles did not substantiate claims of major accomplishments; the organization letters lacked specifics about the Petitioner's achievements or team responsibilities; and none of the evidence persuasively established that the…

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The reference letters contained conclusory, non-independent language mirroring EB-1A (extraordinary ability) regulatory standards rather than demonstrating actual contributions to the field; the media articles did not substantiate claims of major accomplishments; the organization letters lacked specifics about the Petitioner's achievements or team responsibilities; and none of the evidence persuasively established that the Petitioner received peer/governmental/professional recognition for significant contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-30_01_B5203; source_row=28862
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that while the Petitioner submitted documentation of certificates, a diploma, and a gold medal, these documents alone do not establish that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence. The Petitioner failed to submit evidence such as selection criteria or national/international-level media coverage of the awards.

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AAO agreed that while the Petitioner submitted documentation of certificates, a diploma, and a gold medal, these documents alone do not establish that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence. The Petitioner failed to submit evidence such as selection criteria or national/international-level media coverage of the awards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-24_01_B2203; source_row=28852
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concurred that the reference letters recount achievements but do not demonstrate contributions of major significance; the letters lack specifics and rely on conclusory or hyperbolic language without showing how the Petitioner's work influenced similar artists or the field. Display of artwork at various venues, while impressive, does not itself establish major significance.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO concurred that the reference letters recount achievements but do not demonstrate contributions of major significance; the letters lack specifics and rely on conclusory or hyperbolic language without showing how the Petitioner's work influenced similar artists or the field. Display of artwork at various venues, while impressive, does not itself establish major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-24_01_B2203; source_row=28856
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concurred that the evidence for the publications was in the form of self-promotional statements from the publishers themselves rather than published circulation statistics from independent sources, and that the Who's Who in Ukraine entry lacked an author and date and was not the type of published material contemplated by the regulation.

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AAO concurred that the evidence for the publications was in the form of self-promotional statements from the publishers themselves rather than published circulation statistics from independent sources, and that the Who's Who in Ukraine entry lacked an author and date and was not the type of published material contemplated by the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-24_01_B2203; source_row=28854
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concurred with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the criterion related to judging the work of others.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO concurred with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the criterion related to judging the work of others.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-24_01_B2203; source_row=28855
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concurred with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the criterion related to display of his work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.

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AAO concurred with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the criterion related to display of his work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-24_01_B2203; source_row=28857
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not pursue his initial claim for this criterion on appeal, so AAO deemed the issue waived and did not address it.

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The Petitioner did not pursue his initial claim for this criterion on appeal, so AAO deemed the issue waived and did not address it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-24_01_B2203; source_row=28853
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold of three criteria, but noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of sustained acclaim.

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AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold of three criteria, but noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-24_01_B2203; source_row=28858
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

exceptional ability required by past-year and intended work

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the itineraries submitted on appeal were merely typed lists of dates and venues with no supporting evidence that performances actually occurred, that the Beneficiary was contracted to perform, or that the events required a person of exceptional ability. Unsupported counsel assertions about the Beneficiary's current status carry no evidentiary weight.

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AAO found the itineraries submitted on appeal were merely typed lists of dates and venues with no supporting evidence that performances actually occurred, that the Beneficiary was contracted to perform, or that the events required a person of exceptional ability. Unsupported counsel assertions about the Beneficiary's current status carry no evidentiary weight.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-23_01_B5203; source_row=28848
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

proper posting of notice of job opportunity

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the notice was improperly posted because there is no evidence any job duties would be performed at the New Jersey home office location, and additionally found the notice deficient for failing to include a statement about use of in-house media.

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AAO agreed the notice was improperly posted because there is no evidence any job duties would be performed at the New Jersey home office location, and additionally found the notice deficient for failing to include a statement about use of in-house media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-23_01_B5203; source_row=28850
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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