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 12731–12740

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

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in qualifying associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted ACS Governing Documents showed that membership is open to those with only an earned associate or higher degree in a chemical science or related field, which does not constitute outstanding achievements. The language the Petitioner cited about meritorious original investigations did not appear in the submitted documents.

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The submitted ACS Governing Documents showed that membership is open to those with only an earned associate or higher degree in a chemical science or related field, which does not constitute outstanding achievements. The language the Petitioner cited about meritorious original investigations did not appear in the submitted documents.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_01_B2203; source_row=26159
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 the letters submitted did not establish that recognized national or international experts judge applicants' outstanding achievements for TFHKW membership. The letters differed as to selection criteria, lacked corroborating objective documentation such as bylaws, and did not identify who on the vetting committee qualified as national or international experts.

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AAO found that the letters submitted did not establish that recognized national or international experts judge applicants' outstanding achievements for TFHKW membership. The letters differed as to selection criteria, lacked corroborating objective documentation such as bylaws, and did not identify who on the vetting committee qualified as national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_02_B2203; source_row=26169
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the grant was company income, not personal remuneration. AAO accepted the salary evidence after resolving the minor discrepancy via the accountant's letter and took administrative notice that salary was paid in rubles.…

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AAO agreed the grant was company income, not personal remuneration. AAO accepted the salary evidence after resolving the minor discrepancy via the accountant's letter and took administrative notice that salary was paid in rubles. However, AAO found the job postings provided only a snapshot without meaningful comparison to the Petitioner's role, and the salary survey showed only average wages rather than establishing the Petitioner's salary as significantly high.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_03_B2203; source_row=26181
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed that typographical errors in translations undermined probative value, but agreed the evidence did not establish that the company has a distinguished reputation distinguishing it from competitors. Client letters showed active business and some positive feedback but not distinguished standing. The 'Best Company in Russia-2018' nomination letter lacked a proper translator certification and could not be evaluated.

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AAO disagreed that typographical errors in translations undermined probative value, but agreed the evidence did not establish that the company has a distinguished reputation distinguishing it from competitors. Client letters showed active business and some positive feedback but not distinguished standing. The 'Best Company in Russia-2018' nomination letter lacked a proper translator certification and could not be evaluated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_03_B2203; source_row=26180
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed with the Director that the interview was not about the Petitioner, finding it was. However, AAO agreed the evidence was insufficient to establish Russia 24 as major media, found material discrepancies in the broadcast certificate (including names absent from the Russian original and conflicting dates), and found that the magazine materials were summaries rather than full translations as required by regulation.

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AAO disagreed with the Director that the interview was not about the Petitioner, finding it was. However, AAO agreed the evidence was insufficient to establish Russia 24 as major media, found material discrepancies in the broadcast certificate (including names absent from the Russian original and conflicting dates), and found that the magazine materials were summaries rather than full translations as required by regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_03_B2203; source_row=26177
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold of at least three criteria. AAO nevertheless noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.

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AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold of at least three criteria. AAO nevertheless noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_01_B2203; source_row=26163
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner fulfilled the judging criterion, as the record reflects that she reviewed papers for journals.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner fulfilled the judging criterion, as the record reflects that she reviewed papers for journals.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_01_B2203; source_row=26160
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner fulfilled the scholarly articles criterion based on her authored scholarly articles in professional publications.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner fulfilled the scholarly articles criterion based on her authored scholarly articles in professional publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_01_B2203; source_row=26161
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

other

Net income sufficient to cover wage shortfall (single beneficiary)

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner's net income for both 2017 and 2018 exceeded the wage deficiency for the primary Beneficiary alone.

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The Petitioner's net income for both 2017 and 2018 exceeded the wage deficiency for the primary Beneficiary alone.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_01_B5203; source_row=26165
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

other

Wages paid to Beneficiary vs. proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

Paychecks showed the Petitioner paid $71,666.64 in 2017 and $54,933.36 through August 31, 2018, both below the $74,381 proffered annual wage; the Petitioner must cover the shortfalls of $2,714.36 (2017) and $19,447.64 (2018).

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Paychecks showed the Petitioner paid $71,666.64 in 2017 and $54,933.36 through August 31, 2018, both below the $74,381 proffered annual wage; the Petitioner must cover the shortfalls of $2,714.36 (2017) and $19,447.64 (2018).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-12_01_B5203; source_row=26164
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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