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 11671–11680

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical EngineeringPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner repeatedly described past research accomplishments rather than articulating the prospective national importance of his proposed endeavor. He failed to differentiate his past research from his prospective plans, did not demonstrate the nexus between his proposed endeavor and claimed national impacts, and the new projects described in his RFE response introduced new facts not established at the time of filing.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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The Petitioner repeatedly described past research accomplishments rather than articulating the prospective national importance of his proposed endeavor. He failed to differentiate his past research from his prospective plans, did not demonstrate the nexus between his proposed endeavor and claimed national impacts, and the new projects described in his RFE response introduced new facts not established at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-28_01_B5203; source_row=27484
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical EngineeringPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong two because the first prong was not satisfied, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO declined to reach prong two because the first prong was not satisfied, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-28_01_B5203; source_row=27485
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical EngineeringPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong three because the first prong was not satisfied, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO declined to reach prong three because the first prong was not satisfied, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-28_01_B5203; source_row=27486
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the Petitioner did not establish his total compensation or provide a proper comparative basis showing his earnings were significantly high in relation to others in the field, as the DOL wage data covered musicians and singers generally and the Petitioner lacked evidence of his total annual compensation or hours worked.

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The AAO found that the Petitioner did not establish his total compensation or provide a proper comparative basis showing his earnings were significantly high in relation to others in the field, as the DOL wage data covered musicians and singers generally and the Petitioner lacked evidence of his total annual compensation or hours worked.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-27_01_B2203; source_row=27481
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the Petitioner provided no information about the number of musicians or his rank within each ensemble, no corroborating evidence differentiating his role from routine performers, and insufficient evidence about the promotional video role. Additionally, the organizations' websites constituted self-promotional material insufficient to demonstrate distinguished reputation.

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The AAO found that the Petitioner provided no information about the number of musicians or his rank within each ensemble, no corroborating evidence differentiating his role from routine performers, and insufficient evidence about the promotional video role. Additionally, the organizations' websites constituted self-promotional material insufficient to demonstrate distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-27_01_B2203; source_row=27480
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

The AAO found that the South Coast Today article was not about the Petitioner; the remaining online articles did not show the publications qualified as major media because no comparative circulation statistics were provided; the print publications lacked sufficient evidence of major media status; and the TRT evidence was self-promotional and insufficient to establish TRT as major media.…

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The AAO found that the South Coast Today article was not about the Petitioner; the remaining online articles did not show the publications qualified as major media because no comparative circulation statistics were provided; the print publications lacked sufficient evidence of major media status; and the TRT evidence was self-promotional and insufficient to establish TRT as major media. Prior O-1 approvals were not binding because the O-1 standard is less restrictive than the EB-1A standard.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-27_01_B2203; source_row=27477
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work in the field at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed that the record demonstrates the Petitioner displayed his work by performing at various artistic and musical venues.

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The AAO agreed that the record demonstrates the Petitioner displayed his work by performing at various artistic and musical venues.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-27_01_B2203; source_row=27479
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed that the Petitioner served as a voting member for the Grammy Awards on behalf of the Recording Academy, and as a juror for other organizations, satisfying this criterion.

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The AAO agreed that the Petitioner served as a voting member for the Grammy Awards on behalf of the Recording Academy, and as a juror for other organizations, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-27_01_B2203; source_row=27478
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the relevant question for national importance is the specific proposed endeavor, not the importance of the industry in general. The Petitioner's general claims about economic impact were unsupported by evidence, and the proposed work did not show broader implications extending beyond his employer(s) and clients to impact the field or national fiscal condition at a level commensurate with national importance.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO found that the relevant question for national importance is the specific proposed endeavor, not the importance of the industry in general. The Petitioner's general claims about economic impact were unsupported by evidence, and the proposed work did not show broader implications extending beyond his employer(s) and clients to impact the field or national fiscal condition at a level commensurate with national importance. The record also failed to show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-22_02_B5203; source_row=27470
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the proposed endeavor itself was inconsistent, AAO could not evaluate whether the Petitioner is well positioned to advance it.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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Because the proposed endeavor itself was inconsistent, AAO could not evaluate whether the Petitioner is well positioned to advance it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-22_03_B5203; source_row=27474
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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