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 11751–11760

EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

AAO finds the Director addressed the wrong evidence (sheet music for arrangement work the Petitioner did not claim) rather than evidence of live performances. AAO remands for proper evaluation of the live performance evidence.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO finds the Director addressed the wrong evidence (sheet music for arrangement work the Petitioner did not claim) rather than evidence of live performances. AAO remands for proper evaluation of the live performance evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-16_01_B2203; source_row=27378
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

AAO concurs that the record supports the Director's conclusion that the judging criterion is satisfied.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO concurs that the record supports the Director's conclusion that the judging criterion is satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-16_01_B2203; source_row=27377
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation

What the decision said

AAO finds the Director failed to reach any conclusion as to the Petitioner's role with the third ensemble he founded. AAO remands for evaluation of the evidence regarding that role and the group's reputation.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO finds the Director failed to reach any conclusion as to the Petitioner's role with the third ensemble he founded. AAO remands for evaluation of the evidence regarding that role and the group's reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-16_01_B2203; source_row=27379
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

motion to reopen requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the motion to reopen was properly dismissed because most documents were copies of previously submitted materials and the new exhibits were general background information rather than facts specific to the petition.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO agreed the motion to reopen was properly dismissed because most documents were copies of previously submitted materials and the new exhibits were general background information rather than facts specific to the petition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-16_01_B5203; source_row=27380
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 stated it need not conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet three criteria, but reviewed the record in the aggregate and found it insufficient to establish sustained acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO stated it need not conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet three criteria, but reviewed the record in the aggregate and found it insufficient to establish sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-16_02_B2203; source_row=27391
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementPhysician

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration relative to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion, finding the DOL OWL data insufficient to establish that the Beneficiary's salary was high relative to others, as the mean wage alone does not provide a complete picture of the range of executive salaries.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion, finding the DOL OWL data insufficient to establish that the Beneficiary's salary was high relative to others, as the mean wage alone does not provide a complete picture of the range of executive salaries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-15_02_B2203; source_row=27345
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementPhysician

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the awards were given to products and companies, not to the Beneficiary personally, and that the awards were based on product performance rather than the business acumen of those who developed or marketed them.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO agreed that the awards were given to products and companies, not to the Beneficiary personally, and that the awards were based on product performance rather than the business acumen of those who developed or marketed them.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-15_02_B2203; source_row=27341
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner's claimed contributions — being an early female hire, creating a documentary, and receiving employer praise — were not shown to be original contributions of major significance. Letters provided only general praise without identifying specific original contributions or explaining their significance.

Why this is useful

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

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Petitioner's claimed contributions — being an early female hire, creating a documentary, and receiving employer praise — were not shown to be original contributions of major significance. Letters provided only general praise without identifying specific original contributions or explaining their significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-15_01_B2203; source_row=27331
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 distinguished organizations or establishments

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the organizations employing the Petitioner had distinguished reputations, the evidence did not establish that the Petitioner performed in a leading or critical role. Media coverage of her hiring described her as joining a team of three other reporters, and no objective data supported the claim that she was responsible for ratings performance.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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Although the organizations employing the Petitioner had distinguished reputations, the evidence did not establish that the Petitioner performed in a leading or critical role. Media coverage of her hiring described her as joining a team of three other reporters, and no objective data supported the claim that she was responsible for ratings performance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-15_01_B2203; source_row=27334
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

Television appearances as a sports journalist do not constitute display at artistic exhibitions or showcases. The purpose of sports journalism is to inform viewers, not to provide an artistic exhibition, and the criterion does not broadly apply to every field that touches on the word 'art'.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
Television appearances as a sports journalist do not constitute display at artistic exhibitions or showcases. The purpose of sports journalism is to inform viewers, not to provide an artistic exhibition, and the criterion does not broadly apply to every field that touches on the word 'art'.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-15_01_B2203; source_row=27333
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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