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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 12011–12020
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established
Case facts
Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringPhD
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the recommendation letters did not provide specific examples of how the Petitioner's work has been implemented in the aerospace industry or constitutes a record of success; citation evidence was insufficient and methodologically flawed; his Ph.D.…
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 found that the recommendation letters did not provide specific examples of how the Petitioner's work has been implemented in the aerospace industry or constitutes a record of success; citation evidence was insufficient and methodologically flawed; his Ph.D. alone does not establish he is well positioned; peer review of a few manuscripts in journals of undocumented stature is inadequate; and the record does not show the Petitioner (rather than his supervisor) was mainly responsible for obtaining research funding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_04_B5203; source_row=27054 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The AAO affirmed the Director's finding, concluding the record—including new appellate evidence—did not show sufficient interest from customers or investors, that his past experience and track record did not rise to the requisite level, and that his MS in Economics and professional registrations alone were insufficient to establish that he was well positioned to advance the proposed real estate endeavor.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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The AAO affirmed the Director's finding, concluding the record—including new appellate evidence—did not show sufficient interest from customers or investors, that his past experience and track record did not rise to the requisite level, and that his MS in Economics and professional registrations alone were insufficient to establish that he was well positioned to advance the proposed real estate endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_02_B5203; source_row=27031 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding the Petitioner had not shown that his specific endeavor's prospective impact rose to the level of national importance, as it did not extend sufficiently beyond his company and clientele to impact the broader U.S. economy or real estate industry. He also failed to show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
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 AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding the Petitioner had not shown that his specific endeavor's prospective impact rose to the level of national importance, as it did not extend sufficiently beyond his company and clientele to impact the broader U.S. economy or real estate industry. He also failed to show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_02_B5203; source_row=27030 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
A jockey license from a government licensing authority is not membership in an association. The Jockeys' Guild membership claim was not raised before the Director and the Guild functions as a trade union rather than an association with highly restrictive membership requirements.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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A jockey license from a government licensing authority is not membership in an association. The Jockeys' Guild membership claim was not raised before the Director and the Guild functions as a trade union rather than an association with highly restrictive membership requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_06_B2203; source_row=27063 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO disagreed with the Director's finding. The cited exhibits show racetrack statistics and informational photographs, not artistic displays or exhibitions. Horse racing is not an artistic display or exhibition.
Why this is useful
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AAO disagreed with the Director's finding. The cited exhibits show racetrack statistics and informational photographs, not artistic displays or exhibitions. Horse racing is not an artistic display or exhibition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_06_B2203; source_row=27065 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner failed to identify the organizations, demonstrate their distinguished reputation, or specify how his role was leading or critical. Merely submitting documents without explanation is insufficient.
Why this is useful
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The Petitioner failed to identify the organizations, demonstrate their distinguished reputation, or specify how his role was leading or critical. Merely submitting documents without explanation is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_06_B2203; source_row=27066 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner did not show that winning individual races constitutes nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards. Given the hundreds of races per year at countless racetracks, no such presumption exists.
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The Petitioner did not show that winning individual races constitutes nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards. Given the hundreds of races per year at countless racetracks, no such presumption exists.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_06_B2203; source_row=27062 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Why AAO was not persuaded
Many submitted articles do not focus on the Petitioner or were published after the filing date. The Petitioner did not establish that any of the qualifying articles appeared in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
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Many submitted articles do not focus on the Petitioner or were published after the filing date. The Petitioner did not establish that any of the qualifying articles appeared in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_06_B2203; source_row=27064 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Chemistry / Chemical EngineeringResearcher
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the Petitioner's patents, citations, letters, and commercial availability of his compound did not establish major significance in the field. Citation evidence was properly considered under this criterion but the Petitioner failed to provide a comparative basis. Letters showed evidence of common authorship undermining their independent weight. Usefulness of the compound was not synonymous with 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 found that the Petitioner's patents, citations, letters, and commercial availability of his compound did not establish major significance in the field. Citation evidence was properly considered under this criterion but the Petitioner failed to provide a comparative basis. Letters showed evidence of common authorship undermining their independent weight. Usefulness of the compound was not synonymous with major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_02_B2203; source_row=27026 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
license or certification for a particular profession or occupation
Why AAO was not persuaded
The certificates submitted represent completion of individual training courses and not a license to practice the profession or a certification for a particular profession or occupation.
Why this is useful
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The certificates submitted represent completion of individual training courses and not a license to practice the profession or a certification for a particular profession or occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-26_03_B5203; source_row=27038 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c