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 12581–12590

EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

Screenshots from a French website lacked certified English translations and thus had no probative value. A 2001 local newspaper article showed the Beneficiary received an award in an 'Other Individual' sports category, but the Petitioner did not demonstrate national or international significance — the article indicated a locally recognized award rather than a nationally or internationally recognized award for excellence.

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

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Screenshots from a French website lacked certified English translations and thus had no probative value. A 2001 local newspaper article showed the Beneficiary received an award in an 'Other Individual' sports category, but the Petitioner did not demonstrate national or international significance — the article indicated a locally recognized award rather than a nationally or internationally recognized award for excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_04_B2203; source_row=26340
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

Published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The L'Echo Republican article was not about the Beneficiary, and lacked an author. Photographs from Patinage Magazine did not constitute published material about the Beneficiary and lacked title and author.…

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

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The L'Echo Republican article was not about the Beneficiary, and lacked an author. Photographs from Patinage Magazine did not constitute published material about the Beneficiary and lacked title and author. Of seven Les Informations Dieppoises articles, only one met the title/date/author requirement, but the Petitioner failed to establish that publication qualifies as a professional or major trade publication or other major medium — indeed, it is described as a regional newspaper.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_04_B2203; source_row=26342
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

Participation as a judge of the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner first raised this criterion on appeal. The Petitioner provided an ISI judging accreditation certificate, but did not establish that the Beneficiary actually participated as a judge at figure skating events or competitions, as opposed to merely holding a qualification to judge.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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The Petitioner first raised this criterion on appeal. The Petitioner provided an ISI judging accreditation certificate, but did not establish that the Beneficiary actually participated as a judge at figure skating events or competitions, as opposed to merely holding a qualification to judge.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_04_B2203; source_row=26343
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's academic awards, paper reviews, publications, low citation counts, and recommendation letters did not establish that his work had major significance in the field. Citations were minimal and letters were conclusory, failing to demonstrate widespread impact or influence beyond individual institutions and employers.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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The Petitioner's academic awards, paper reviews, publications, low citation counts, and recommendation letters did not establish that his work had major significance in the field. Citations were minimal and letters were conclusory, failing to demonstrate widespread impact or influence beyond individual institutions and employers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_09_B2203; source_row=26362
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted California wage data for computer programmers while his employment was in New York, without explaining the geographical discrepancy. He also compared his salary as a principal platform engineer against lower-level computer programmer wages rather than against others in his specific role.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner submitted California wage data for computer programmers while his employment was in New York, without explaining the geographical discrepancy. He also compared his salary as a principal platform engineer against lower-level computer programmer wages rather than against others in his specific role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_09_B2203; source_row=26364
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences8 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 the Petitioner's findings affected therapies or generated positive discourse; citation counts were low and lacked comparative context; the internal award's significance in the broader field was not established; peer review activity did not demonstrate a record of success; and database inclusion and news releases did not show interest in her research.

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 the reference letters did not show the Petitioner's findings affected therapies or generated positive discourse; citation counts were low and lacked comparative context; the internal award's significance in the broader field was not established; peer review activity did not demonstrate a record of success; and database inclusion and news releases did not show interest in her research.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_03_B5203; source_row=26337
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters discussed the Petitioner's role on a television show rather than a leading/critical role for an organization or establishment. The petitioner did not show how a TV show qualifies as an organization, did not show leadership at the production companies or network, and the talent agency letter merely repeated regulatory language without specific detail and did not establish the agency's distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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

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The letters discussed the Petitioner's role on a television show rather than a leading/critical role for an organization or establishment. The petitioner did not show how a TV show qualifies as an organization, did not show leadership at the production companies or network, and the talent agency letter merely repeated regulatory language without specific detail and did not establish the agency's distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_01_B2203; source_row=26320
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO did not formally reach the final merits determination because the petitioner failed at step 1, but reviewed the record in the aggregate and concluded it did not support sustained acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO did not formally reach the final merits determination because the petitioner failed at step 1, but reviewed the record in the aggregate and concluded it did not support sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_01_B2203; source_row=26321
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The 'Original Song' award was not in the petitioner's field of endeavor (acting). The 'Best Performance' award was a popular-vote award with insufficient evidence of national/international recognition. The 'Actor of the Year' plaque did not match the figurine described in the article and the article did not establish the award's significance beyond the festival.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The 'Original Song' award was not in the petitioner's field of endeavor (acting). The 'Best Performance' award was a popular-vote award with insufficient evidence of national/international recognition. The 'Actor of the Year' plaque did not match the figurine described in the article and the article did not establish the award's significance beyond the festival.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_01_B2203; source_row=26318
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the articles did not constitute published material about the Petitioner because they merely mentioned his name once in passing; additionally, the Petitioner failed to establish that Rural Life qualifies as a professional or major trade publication.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the articles did not constitute published material about the Petitioner because they merely mentioned his name once in passing; additionally, the Petitioner failed to establish that Rural Life qualifies as a professional or major trade publication.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-24_05_B2203; source_row=26348
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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