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 12691–12700

EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Emmy was awarded to the petitioner newspaper, not the Beneficiary personally; the certificate names the Petitioner as the recipient and merely 'honors' the Beneficiary. Moreover, the record does not show the Emmy commands the level of international recognition (global media coverage, large cash prize) required of a one-time major award.

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The Emmy was awarded to the petitioner newspaper, not the Beneficiary personally; the certificate names the Petitioner as the recipient and merely 'honors' the Beneficiary. Moreover, the record does not show the Emmy commands the level of international recognition (global media coverage, large cash prize) required of a one-time major award.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_03_B2203; source_row=26213
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

AAO found that the certificates were not awarded for excellence in the field (e.g., the Prestige Diploma is given to all competitors), and that even if awarded for excellence, the evidence did not establish that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized outside the issuing organization.…

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AAO found that the certificates were not awarded for excellence in the field (e.g., the Prestige Diploma is given to all competitors), and that even if awarded for excellence, the evidence did not establish that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized outside the issuing organization. New evidence on motion to reopen likewise failed to demonstrate national or international recognition of the specific awards received by the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_07_B2203; source_row=26242
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

AAO had previously vacated the Director's positive finding and maintained this position on motion. Very brief career summaries within multi-page articles about other topics are insufficient to show that articles are 'about' the Petitioner. New evidence of viewership figures did not establish comparability to major media, and the magazine name submitted did not match the publication claimed.

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AAO had previously vacated the Director's positive finding and maintained this position on motion. Very brief career summaries within multi-page articles about other topics are insufficient to show that articles are 'about' the Petitioner. New evidence of viewership figures did not establish comparability to major media, and the magazine name submitted did not match the publication claimed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_07_B2203; source_row=26244
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the four contracts, when considered on a monthly basis, actually reflected earnings lower than the average monthly salary stated on trud.com. Letters regarding additional earnings were not supported by contracts or payroll documents and were therefore insufficient.

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AAO found that the four contracts, when considered on a monthly basis, actually reflected earnings lower than the average monthly salary stated on trud.com. Letters regarding additional earnings were not supported by contracts or payroll documents and were therefore insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_07_B2203; source_row=26248
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that UHCR's membership requirements (professional education, 3+ years experience, awards/diplomas for participation) do not require outstanding achievements. The bylaws translation was incomplete and could not be relied upon. A reference letter contained translation inconsistencies making it unclear whether it described UHCR or a different organization.

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AAO found that UHCR's membership requirements (professional education, 3+ years experience, awards/diplomas for participation) do not require outstanding achievements. The bylaws translation was incomplete and could not be relied upon. A reference letter contained translation inconsistencies making it unclear whether it described UHCR or a different organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_07_B2203; source_row=26243
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

The evidence of peer review activity for scientific journals, including an outstanding contributor certificate and multiple review emails, establishes that the Petitioner meets this criterion.

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The evidence of peer review activity for scientific journals, including an outstanding contributor certificate and multiple review emails, establishes that the Petitioner meets this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_02_B2203; source_row=26209
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

The totality of reference letters and other evidence demonstrates that the Petitioner's software contributions—tsunami modules and Python interpreter—were implemented by individual researchers, research groups, and institutions in civil engineering, leading to broader implementation of the platform. AAO therefore disagreed with the Director and found this criterion met.

Why this is useful

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

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The totality of reference letters and other evidence demonstrates that the Petitioner's software contributions—tsunami modules and Python interpreter—were implemented by individual researchers, research groups, and institutions in civil engineering, leading to broader implementation of the platform. AAO therefore disagreed with the Director and found this criterion met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_02_B2203; source_row=26210
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record includes seven peer-reviewed journal articles and a conference paper, and AAO agrees with the Director that this criterion is met.

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The record includes seven peer-reviewed journal articles and a conference paper, and AAO agrees with the Director that this criterion is met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_02_B2203; source_row=26211
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

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 did not satisfy the step-1 threshold, but noted in dicta that the record did not establish the required acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the step-1 threshold, but noted in dicta that the record did not establish the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_05_B2203; source_row=26235
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed with the Director on both grounds: the certificate was issued to the company, not the Petitioner, and the record lacked objective evidence that the certificate is recognized nationally or internationally — the accompanying letter even stated it was not valid for Ministry matters.

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The AAO agreed with the Director on both grounds: the certificate was issued to the company, not the Petitioner, and the record lacked objective evidence that the certificate is recognized nationally or internationally — the accompanying letter even stated it was not valid for Ministry matters.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-25_05_B2203; source_row=26227
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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