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 12421–12430

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold requirement of at least three criteria, but noted in advisory language that the record would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold requirement of at least three criteria, but noted in advisory language that the record would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_07_B2203; source_row=26562
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

The 2014 tax return showed net income of only $10,746 and net current assets of $52,738, sufficient only to cover the difference between the proffered wage and wages already paid in 2014. No financial evidence was submitted for 2015 or later years. Gross income arguments were rejected because ability to pay is measured on net income after expenses, not gross receipts.…

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The 2014 tax return showed net income of only $10,746 and net current assets of $52,738, sufficient only to cover the difference between the proffered wage and wages already paid in 2014. No financial evidence was submitted for 2015 or later years. Gross income arguments were rejected because ability to pay is measured on net income after expenses, not gross receipts. The totality of circumstances also weighed against the Petitioner given its dissolution in 2017 and declining financials.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_01_B5203; source_row=26523
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other4 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfies criterion (iv), though the weight of the judging activity was addressed unfavorably at the final merits stage.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfies criterion (iv), though the weight of the judging activity was addressed unfavorably at the final merits stage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_08_B2203; source_row=26565
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other4 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major media

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusion regarding criterion (iii) on appeal, and did not submit or identify any published material naming the Petitioner, so AAO deemed it abandoned.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusion regarding criterion (iii) on appeal, and did not submit or identify any published material naming the Petitioner, so AAO deemed it abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_08_B2203; source_row=26564
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other4 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfies criterion (vi) based on his authored scholarly articles.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfies criterion (vi) based on his authored scholarly articles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_08_B2203; source_row=26567
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other4 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner had not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim. His judging was routine and local, his published articles lacked evidence of wide impact or distinguishing recognition, and letters from colleagues and a Governor reflected local prominence rather than national acclaim.

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AAO agreed the Petitioner had not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim. His judging was routine and local, his published articles lacked evidence of wide impact or distinguishing recognition, and letters from colleagues and a Governor reflected local prominence rather than national acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_08_B2203; source_row=26570
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other4 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high remuneration for services

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director's conclusion was erroneous because paid leave is not a fringe benefit separate from base salary. The total pay shown on pay receipts was consistent with the salary in the contract, and was substantially higher than the BLS median.

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AAO found the Director's conclusion was erroneous because paid leave is not a fringe benefit separate from base salary. The total pay shown on pay receipts was consistent with the salary in the contract, and was substantially higher than the BLS median.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_08_B2203; source_row=26569
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The quoted bylaw passage did not include a national recognition requirement, only requiring participation in one film within ten years, which is not an outstanding achievement. Other claimed requirements were unsubstantiated.

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The quoted bylaw passage did not include a national recognition requirement, only requiring participation in one film within ten years, which is not an outstanding achievement. Other claimed requirements were unsubstantiated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_06_B2203; source_row=26548
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO declined to disturb the Director's finding that the Petitioner's work displayed at film festivals satisfies this criterion, while noting it would be revisited in final merits.

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AAO declined to disturb the Director's finding that the Petitioner's work displayed at film festivals satisfies this criterion, while noting it would be revisited in final merits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_06_B2203; source_row=26551
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion, noting the two judging instances, though flagging limitations in the final merits context.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion, noting the two judging instances, though flagging limitations in the final merits context.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-11-24_06_B2203; source_row=26549
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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