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 11991–12000

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

Case facts

OtherPhysician1,500 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Beneficiary held senior leadership and scientific roles with the petitioning company, which has a distinguished reputation as the only manufacturer of certain portable underwater instrumentation used globally.

Why this is useful

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

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The Beneficiary held senior leadership and scientific roles with the petitioning company, which has a distinguished reputation as the only manufacturer of certain portable underwater instrumentation used globally.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-03-01_02_B2203; source_row=27095
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhysician1,500 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

AAO considered the original contributions evidence as part of the final merits determination rather than deciding the criterion separately, since the three-criteria threshold was already met.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO considered the original contributions evidence as part of the final merits determination rather than deciding the criterion separately, since the three-criteria threshold was already met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-03-01_02_B2203; source_row=27096
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

What the decision said

The Director found the Petitioner submitted only published books, which are not scholarly articles, and found no search results for one book. The AAO agreed books are not scholarly articles but found the Director failed to consider two journal/magazine articles the Petitioner submitted under this criterion. The matter is remanded for proper evaluation.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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The Director found the Petitioner submitted only published books, which are not scholarly articles, and found no search results for one book. The AAO agreed books are not scholarly articles but found the Director failed to consider two journal/magazine articles the Petitioner submitted under this criterion. The matter is remanded for proper evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-03-01_01_B2203; source_row=27091
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

What the decision said

AAO remanded without reaching a conclusion on this criterion, noting the Director's analysis was undermined by failure to consider NOID response evidence including supplemental recommendation letters.

Why this is useful

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AAO remanded without reaching a conclusion on this criterion, noting the Director's analysis was undermined by failure to consider NOID response evidence including supplemental recommendation letters.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-03-01_01_B2203; source_row=27092
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

Although the Petitioner articulated an intention to provide active shooter consulting services to houses of worship, he did not provide sufficient evidence that the prospective impact of his proposed endeavor rises to the level of national importance. The record did not show the endeavor would extend beyond his employer or future clientele to impact his field or U.S.…

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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Although the Petitioner articulated an intention to provide active shooter consulting services to houses of worship, he did not provide sufficient evidence that the prospective impact of his proposed endeavor rises to the level of national importance. The record did not show the endeavor would extend beyond his employer or future clientele to impact his field or U.S. security interests more broadly, and he failed to demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_03_B5203; source_row=27042
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

commanded salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's 2019 job offer and pay statements post-dated the petition filing and could not be considered. The remaining earnings documentation did not show that his salary was indicative of exceptional ability relative to others in the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner's 2019 job offer and pay statements post-dated the petition filing and could not be considered. The remaining earnings documentation did not show that his salary was indicative of exceptional ability relative to others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_03_B5203; source_row=27039
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 significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted a 2017 W-2 from a prior employer without identifying the relevant position, and compared the Beneficiary's SAP consultant salary to salaries for installation, maintenance, and repair workers rather than to other SAP consultants. No evidence of the claimed 2018 earnings was provided.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner submitted a 2017 W-2 from a prior employer without identifying the relevant position, and compared the Beneficiary's SAP consultant salary to salaries for installation, maintenance, and repair workers rather than to other SAP consultants. No evidence of the claimed 2018 earnings was provided.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_07_B2203; source_row=27073
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

The screenshots credited awards to the employer corporation, not to the Beneficiary personally. The High Mileage Award certificate named the Beneficiary but the Petitioner failed to demonstrate its national or international recognition for excellence in the field beyond ALL itself.

Why this is useful

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

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The screenshots credited awards to the employer corporation, not to the Beneficiary personally. The High Mileage Award certificate named the Beneficiary but the Petitioner failed to demonstrate its national or international recognition for excellence in the field beyond ALL itself.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_07_B2203; source_row=27069
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

ASME 'Member' status requires only eight years of engineering experience, not outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Membership based solely on years of experience does not rise to the level required by the criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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ASME 'Member' status requires only eight years of engineering experience, not outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Membership based solely on years of experience does not rise to the level required by the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_07_B2203; source_row=27070
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary failed the final merits determination. The evidence — recommendation letters, patents, limited publications with 22 citations, a single award, and participation in one forum and one working group — all focused on the Beneficiary's recent work with the Petitioner and did not establish a career of acclaimed work or place the Beneficiary among the small percentage at the very t…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary failed the final merits determination. The evidence — recommendation letters, patents, limited publications with 22 citations, a single award, and participation in one forum and one working group — all focused on the Beneficiary's recent work with the Petitioner and did not establish a career of acclaimed work or place the Beneficiary among the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_03_B2203; source_row=27037
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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