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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.
EB-2 advanced degree or exceptional ability qualification
Why AAO was not persuaded
The credential evaluation combined academics and work experience to reach equivalency, making it unclear whether the degrees alone meet the standard; additionally, the evaluator did not review employer letters required to establish the baccalaureate-plus-five-years pathway under the regulations.
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The credential evaluation combined academics and work experience to reach equivalency, making it unclear whether the degrees alone meet the standard; additionally, the evaluator did not review employer letters required to establish the baccalaureate-plus-five-years pathway under the regulations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-17_03_B5203; source_row=27008 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion on this prong for the same reason as prong 1: the material change in proposed endeavor prevents a reliable assessment of whether the Petitioner is well positioned to advance a consistent endeavor.
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AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion on this prong for the same reason as prong 1: the material change in proposed endeavor prevents a reliable assessment of whether the Petitioner is well positioned to advance a consistent endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-17_03_B5203; source_row=27010 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
license or certification
license or certification
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner offered "having an agent" as comparable evidence but failed to substantiate the requirements for obtaining an agent or to show comparability to a license or certification.
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The Petitioner offered "having an agent" as comparable evidence but failed to substantiate the requirements for obtaining an agent or to show comparability to a license or certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-17_02_B5203; source_row=27006 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
ten years experience
ten years full-time experience
Why AAO was not persuaded
The two letters submitted were not from employers, and the record lacks evidence such as promotional materials or playbills establishing ten years of full-time experience as an actor/model. The IMDBPro profile shows only sparse credits.
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The two letters submitted were not from employers, and the record lacks evidence such as promotional materials or playbills establishing ten years of full-time experience as an actor/model. The IMDBPro profile shows only sparse credits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-17_02_B5203; source_row=27005 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The submitted certificate from a modeling agency was not shown to be from a college, university, school, or other institution of learning, nor an official academic record. The university letter showing enrollment in one class did not establish a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award.
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The submitted certificate from a modeling agency was not shown to be from a college, university, school, or other institution of learning, nor an official academic record. The university letter showing enrollment in one class did not establish a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-17_02_B5203; source_row=27004 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
display of alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
What the decision said
AAO disagreed with the Director's interpretation, noting that the Petitioner's work in computer graphics and animation is inherently visual, and that the regulation requires only that the work displayed be the petitioner's own work product and that the exhibition or showcase be artistic in nature—not that the art be tangible or the petitioner be a traditional visual artist.…
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AAO disagreed with the Director's interpretation, noting that the Petitioner's work in computer graphics and animation is inherently visual, and that the regulation requires only that the work displayed be the petitioner's own work product and that the exhibition or showcase be artistic in nature—not that the art be tangible or the petitioner be a traditional visual artist. AAO remanded for re-evaluation under the correct plain-language standard.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-17_01_B2203; source_row=26995 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · High remuneration
high salary or significantly high remuneration for services
What the decision said
AAO found the Director's salary calculation was based on the flawed assumption that a contract worker earns the day rate every workday of the year, creating an artificial discrepancy. AAO also noted the letter lacked reliability as its author's credentials were unconfirmed and figures were merely projections, so it should not have been used to the exclusion of more probative evidence like W-2s and earnings statements.…
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AAO found the Director's salary calculation was based on the flawed assumption that a contract worker earns the day rate every workday of the year, creating an artificial discrepancy. AAO also noted the letter lacked reliability as its author's credentials were unconfirmed and figures were merely projections, so it should not have been used to the exclusion of more probative evidence like W-2s and earnings statements. AAO remanded for reconsideration of the reliable evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-17_01_B2203; source_row=26996 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
What the decision said
AAO found the Director applied improper elements not contained in the criterion and conflated the step-1 standard with the final merits standard. AAO remanded for re-evaluation using the correct plain-language standard: whether the Petitioner was a recipient, whether the award was for excellence in the field, and whether it is nationally or internationally recognized.
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AAO found the Director applied improper elements not contained in the criterion and conflated the step-1 standard with the final merits standard. AAO remanded for re-evaluation using the correct plain-language standard: whether the Petitioner was a recipient, whether the award was for excellence in the field, and whether it is nationally or internationally recognized.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-17_01_B2203; source_row=26994 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Medicine / Clinical
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial merit and national importance
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion on this prong because the Petitioner materially changed her proposed endeavor without explanation, making it impossible to reliably evaluate the merits of any consistent endeavor.
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AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion on this prong because the Petitioner materially changed her proposed endeavor without explanation, making it impossible to reliably evaluate the merits of any consistent endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-02-17_03_B5203; source_row=27009 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c