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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 12161–12170

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty21 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination – sustained national or international acclaim

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that while the Petitioner is highly regarded, has a successful career, and has worked on high-profile projects, the limited citation record, lack of field-wide recognition independent of his employer, modest media coverage, and testimonial evidence parroting statutory language all fail to establish sustained national or international acclaim at the level required for extraordinary ability classification.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found that while the Petitioner is highly regarded, has a successful career, and has worked on high-profile projects, the limited citation record, lack of field-wide recognition independent of his employer, modest media coverage, and testimonial evidence parroting statutory language all fail to establish sustained national or international acclaim at the level required for extraordinary ability classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-29_11_B2203; source_row=26920
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty21 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical roles for organizations with a distinguished reputation

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found that the Petitioner established critical roles in the employer's operations in Ukraine and Oman, supported by detailed credible letters from persons with direct knowledge, and that the distinguished reputation of the relevant entities was established.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found that the Petitioner established critical roles in the employer's operations in Ukraine and Oman, supported by detailed credible letters from persons with direct knowledge, and that the distinguished reputation of the relevant entities was established.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-29_11_B2203; source_row=26918
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty21 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or other significantly high remuneration

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the Petitioner commands a high salary in relation to others in the same occupation and geographic area, supported by bi-monthly pay statements corroborating his stated annual salary and DOL data showing it exceeds the 'high salary' threshold for geoscientists in Texas.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found the Petitioner commands a high salary in relation to others in the same occupation and geographic area, supported by bi-monthly pay statements corroborating his stated annual salary and DOL data showing it exceeds the 'high salary' threshold for geoscientists in Texas.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-29_11_B2203; source_row=26919
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty21 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion, noting the record supports that he authored articles published in academic journals and other professional publications.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO agreed that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion, noting the record supports that he authored articles published in academic journals and other professional publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-29_11_B2203; source_row=26917
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic EngineeringResearcherPhD5 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the reference letters did not show implementation or industry adoption of Petitioner's models/algorithms; citation evidence had methodological problems (no self-citation accounting, non-contemporaneous data, post-filing data, reliance on a Scientometrics article addressing natural/life sciences not electrical engineering); peer review activity was occasional; and the I-Corps funding was not directly awarded to him.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the reference letters did not show implementation or industry adoption of Petitioner's models/algorithms; citation evidence had methodological problems (no self-citation accounting, non-contemporaneous data, post-filing data, reliance on a Scientometrics article addressing natural/life sciences not electrical engineering); peer review activity was occasional; and the I-Corps funding was not directly awarded to him. Together, the evidence did not show a record of success or generation of interest sufficient to satisfy prong two.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-27_05_B5203; source_row=26871
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherResearcherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence was insufficient to show the Petitioner is well positioned. Reference letters were limited to acquaintances at his university and did not show broader impact; only two citing articles were provided without comparative context; peer review participation was occasional and partly uncompleted; and AACE membership lacked evidence of distinction.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence was insufficient to show the Petitioner is well positioned. Reference letters were limited to acquaintances at his university and did not show broader impact; only two citing articles were provided without comparative context; peer review participation was occasional and partly uncompleted; and AACE membership lacked evidence of distinction.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-27_02_B5203; source_row=26859
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's work has substantial merit given the documented benefits of STEM education for underrepresented groups, but concluded it does not meet the national importance requirement because her instructional activities benefit only students in her program and she has not shown broader implications for the educational field or substantial positive economic effects at the national level.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner's work has substantial merit given the documented benefits of STEM education for underrepresented groups, but concluded it does not meet the national importance requirement because her instructional activities benefit only students in her program and she has not shown broader implications for the educational field or substantial positive economic effects at the national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-27_04_B5203; source_row=26867
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

AAO found the Petitioner did not demonstrate that the prospective impact of his competing and teaching would rise to national importance. He did not show his involvement as a competitor or instructor would impact the sport or U.S. cultural interests broadly, and did not demonstrate 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.

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner did not demonstrate that the prospective impact of his competing and teaching would rise to national importance. He did not show his involvement as a competitor or instructor would impact the sport or U.S. cultural interests broadly, and did not demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-27_01_B5203; source_row=26855
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the Petitioner stated his intention to provide valuable sales and marketing services, he failed to show that his work's prospective impact extends sufficiently beyond his employer and future clients to impact the field or U.S. economy at a national level. He also failed to demonstrate significant potential for U.S. job creation 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.

View full reasoning +
Although the Petitioner stated his intention to provide valuable sales and marketing services, he failed to show that his work's prospective impact extends sufficiently beyond his employer and future clients to impact the field or U.S. economy at a national level. He also failed to demonstrate significant potential for U.S. job creation or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-27_03_B5203; source_row=26864
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted only certificates of participation for completing training programs, not evidence of actual membership. He also failed to show the organizations' membership bodies are comprised of individuals with a baccalaureate degree or that they constitute professional associations.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner submitted only certificates of participation for completing training programs, not evidence of actual membership. He also failed to show the organizations' membership bodies are comprised of individuals with a baccalaureate degree or that they constitute professional associations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-27_03_B5203; source_row=26862
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment