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 11591–11600

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's analysis of the leading or critical role criterion was deficient because it failed to mention specific evidence submitted, did not address whether any roles were leading or critical, and was unclear which organizations were being assessed.

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AAO found the Director's analysis of the leading or critical role criterion was deficient because it failed to mention specific evidence submitted, did not address whether any roles were leading or critical, and was unclear which organizations were being assessed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-17_01_B2203; source_row=27591
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial success in the performing arts

What the decision said

AAO noted that the Director entirely failed to acknowledge or analyze the petitioner's claim under the commercial success criterion, which was a significant deficiency requiring remand.

Why this is useful

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AAO noted that the Director entirely failed to acknowledge or analyze the petitioner's claim under the commercial success criterion, which was a significant deficiency requiring remand.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-17_01_B2203; source_row=27592
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work in artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's analysis of the display criterion was inadequate because it lacked any discussion of the Petitioner's evidence and explanations, warranting remand.

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AAO found the Director's analysis of the display criterion was inadequate because it lacked any discussion of the Petitioner's evidence and explanations, warranting remand.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-17_01_B2203; source_row=27590
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

other

Qualifying experience in financial company(ies) — 12 months minimum

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed with the Director's refusal to consider unlisted experience, finding that under Matter of Leung such evidence may be weighed. AAO determined the Beneficiary had 15½ months of internship experience but could not confirm the companies all qualified as 'financial companies,' necessitating remand.

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AAO disagreed with the Director's refusal to consider unlisted experience, finding that under Matter of Leung such evidence may be weighed. AAO determined the Beneficiary had 15½ months of internship experience but could not confirm the companies all qualified as 'financial companies,' necessitating remand.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-17_01_B5203; source_row=27594
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

other

Minimum educational requirement (doctoral degree in applied mathematics)

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Beneficiary holds a doctorate in applied mathematics from a foreign university, satisfying the labor certification's educational requirement.

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The Beneficiary holds a doctorate in applied mathematics from a foreign university, satisfying the labor certification's educational requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-17_01_B5203; source_row=27593
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

While Petitioner has relevant education, skills, knowledge, and a record of success, the opinion letters speculate about future applications and are not corroborated, and the record lacks evidence that proposed employers or other relevant entities are interested in the Petitioner or his research, or that he has the means or financial support to undertake the research in the U.S.

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While Petitioner has relevant education, skills, knowledge, and a record of success, the opinion letters speculate about future applications and are not corroborated, and the record lacks evidence that proposed employers or other relevant entities are interested in the Petitioner or his research, or that he has the means or financial support to undertake the research in the U.S.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-14_02_B5203; source_row=27578
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The loaned violin is not a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award. The Latvian award appears to be a local cultural award. The violin competition awards lack sufficient evidence of national or international recognition or significance.

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The loaned violin is not a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award. The Latvian award appears to be a local cultural award. The violin competition awards lack sufficient evidence of national or international recognition or significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=27567
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The article is about a concert, not about the Petitioner, and lacks an author attribution. The video is about a concert program, not about the Petitioner. Additionally, lsm.lv was not established as major trade or major media.

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The article is about a concert, not about the Petitioner, and lacks an author attribution. The video is about a concert program, not about the Petitioner. Additionally, lsm.lv was not established as major trade or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=27568
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

The evidence does not sufficiently demonstrate that the Petitioner actually judged the musical work of artists in making selections, as opposed to reviewing general qualifications via intake forms. An email response suggesting a performer be booked without evidence of work-judging does not satisfy the criterion.

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The evidence does not sufficiently demonstrate that the Petitioner actually judged the musical work of artists in making selections, as opposed to reviewing general qualifications via intake forms. An email response suggesting a performer be booked without evidence of work-judging does not satisfy the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=27569
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion that the Petitioner's clinical work does not meet the national importance element, but criticized the Director for: (1) failing to address the substantial merit element at all; (2) applying a present-impact rather than prospective-impact standard; and (3) conflating the first and second prong analyses.

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AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion that the Petitioner's clinical work does not meet the national importance element, but criticized the Director for: (1) failing to address the substantial merit element at all; (2) applying a present-impact rather than prospective-impact standard; and (3) conflating the first and second prong analyses.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-05-14_01_B5203; source_row=27574
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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