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 12551–12560

EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

Display at artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not discuss this criterion on appeal, so AAO considered it abandoned.

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The Petitioner did not discuss this criterion on appeal, so AAO considered it abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-05_08_B2203; source_row=26423
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

Taken as a whole, the documentation shows the Petitioner won national and international competitions under the authority of a major international governing body, meeting the lesser standards of this criterion.

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Taken as a whole, the documentation shows the Petitioner won national and international competitions under the authority of a major international governing body, meeting the lesser standards of this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-05_08_B2203; source_row=26420
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

Leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

What the decision said

AAO declined to consider this criterion because it was first raised on appeal, and the director could not have erred with respect to it. Moreover, even if met, it could not change the outcome since the Petitioner only met one criterion total.

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AAO declined to consider this criterion because it was first raised on appeal, and the director could not have erred with respect to it. Moreover, even if met, it could not change the outcome since the Petitioner only met one criterion total.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-05_08_B2203; source_row=26424
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal, so AAO treated it as abandoned.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal, so AAO treated it as abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-05_05_B2203; source_row=26406
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

The new certificates establishing the Petitioner's participation as an official at a karate tournament, combined with a letter confirming he was invited as a judge to a Pan American Tournament for 23 years and a rulebook explaining the judging role, sufficiently establishes this criterion.

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The new certificates establishing the Petitioner's participation as an official at a karate tournament, combined with a letter confirming he was invited as a judge to a Pan American Tournament for 23 years and a rulebook explaining the judging role, sufficiently establishes this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-05_05_B2203; source_row=26408
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences40 papers3 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judge of the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner established peer review activity for journals such as Radiation Research, Food, and Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, and editorial roles for two additional journals.

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The Petitioner established peer review activity for journals such as Radiation Research, Food, and Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, and editorial roles for two additional journals.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-05_01_B2203; source_row=26389
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences40 papers3 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination – sustained national or international acclaim

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidence requirement, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record did not support a finding of the required acclaim.

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AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidence requirement, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record did not support a finding of the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-05_01_B2203; source_row=26393
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences40 papers3 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner submitted evidence of coauthoring more than 40 articles published in scientific journals, which the AAO found sufficient to satisfy this criterion.

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The Petitioner submitted evidence of coauthoring more than 40 articles published in scientific journals, which the AAO found sufficient to satisfy this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-05_01_B2203; source_row=26391
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

labor certification supports advanced degree professional classification

Why AAO was not persuaded

Applying the plain language of the labor certification, AAO concluded the added 'in lieu of' phrase expanded acceptable qualifications beyond those spelled out in section H, so the offered position does not require an advanced degree as defined by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2).

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Applying the plain language of the labor certification, AAO concluded the added 'in lieu of' phrase expanded acceptable qualifications beyond those spelled out in section H, so the offered position does not require an advanced degree as defined by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-06_01_B5203; source_row=26435
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

labor certification requires advanced degree professional

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the conflict between Part H.4 (master's degree) and Part H.14 (bachelor's degree accepted) unresolved because the petitioner did not produce the actual recruitment advertisements confirming that applicants were told a master's degree was required. The Director's review of the labor certification's minimum requirements is squarely within USCIS's scope of authority.

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AAO found the conflict between Part H.4 (master's degree) and Part H.14 (bachelor's degree accepted) unresolved because the petitioner did not produce the actual recruitment advertisements confirming that applicants were told a master's degree was required. The Director's review of the labor certification's minimum requirements is squarely within USCIS's scope of authority.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-10-01_03_B5203; source_row=26381
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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