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 12751–12760

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineer

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that evidence of journal peer review and associate editor roles establishes that the Petitioner meets the judging criterion.

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AAO agreed that evidence of journal peer review and associate editor roles establishes that the Petitioner meets the judging criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-11_01_B2203; source_row=26151
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineer

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that evidence of four co-authored conference papers satisfies the scholarly articles criterion.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed that evidence of four co-authored conference papers satisfies the scholarly articles criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-11_01_B2203; source_row=26153
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not submit documentary evidence establishing formal requirements for acceptance as a mentor, and the general references to rigorous selection processes do not show mentors are chosen by recognized national or international experts. Volunteering for mentorship programs is not comparable to membership in an association as described in the regulation.

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The Petitioner did not submit documentary evidence establishing formal requirements for acceptance as a mentor, and the general references to rigorous selection processes do not show mentors are chosen by recognized national or international experts. Volunteering for mentorship programs is not comparable to membership in an association as described in the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-10_01_B2203; source_row=26141
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high remuneration for services

Why AAO was not persuaded

The comparative evidence was fragmentary and inconsistent. The Department of Labor wage category submitted was too broad and not the best match for product managers. The evidence of remuneration was incomplete and did not provide a reliable basis for comparing her compensation to others performing similar work.

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The comparative evidence was fragmentary and inconsistent. The Department of Labor wage category submitted was too broad and not the best match for product managers. The evidence of remuneration was incomplete and did not provide a reliable basis for comparing her compensation to others performing similar work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-10_01_B2203; source_row=26145
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

Most submitted articles originated from a public relations firm and were published on sites that accept outside contributions, making them promotional rather than independent coverage.…

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Most submitted articles originated from a public relations firm and were published on sites that accept outside contributions, making them promotional rather than independent coverage. AlleyWatch did not qualify as major media, the Huffington Post submission was a blog post rather than journalistic reportage, and the 100 Product Managers podcast/website openly solicited interview subjects without regard to their recognition in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-10_01_B2203; source_row=26142
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 explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the initial evidence threshold of three criteria.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the initial evidence threshold of three criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-10_01_B2203; source_row=26146
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO disagreed with the Director, finding that the record established the Petitioner performed in a critical role for a company with a distinguished reputation, based on evidence that her product line had significant impact on the company's success and that she was critical to the company's growth from a multi-million dollar company to over $2.4 billion serving over 4 million accounts.

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AAO disagreed with the Director, finding that the record established the Petitioner performed in a critical role for a company with a distinguished reputation, based on evidence that her product line had significant impact on the company's success and that she was critical to the company's growth from a multi-million dollar company to over $2.4 billion serving over 4 million accounts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-10_01_B2203; source_row=26144
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO disagreed with the Director's interpretation that the criterion is limited to visual artists. AAO held that the regulation requires only that the displayed work be the petitioner's own work product and that the venues be artistic exhibitions or showcases, which certain performances at music festivals satisfy. The Petitioner's festival performances satisfied the plain language of the criterion.

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AAO disagreed with the Director's interpretation that the criterion is limited to visual artists. AAO held that the regulation requires only that the displayed work be the petitioner's own work product and that the venues be artistic exhibitions or showcases, which certain performances at music festivals satisfy. The Petitioner's festival performances satisfied the plain language of the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-10_02_B2203; source_row=26149
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 in the same or allied field

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the evidence clearly established the Petitioner's participation on a three-person panel of jurors at the 2008 festival, where he judged music videos falling within his field of expertise. AAO also noted that the plain language of the criterion does not require judging activities to be consistent with national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the evidence clearly established the Petitioner's participation on a three-person panel of jurors at the 2008 festival, where he judged music videos falling within his field of expertise. AAO also noted that the plain language of the criterion does not require judging activities to be consistent with national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-10_02_B2203; source_row=26148
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the totality of the Petitioner's career achievements — including Grammy nomination, critical acclaim from major international publications, high-profile collaborations, and work on globally recognized entertainment projects — established sustained national and international acclaim and demonstrated that he is among the small percentage at the very top of his field.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the totality of the Petitioner's career achievements — including Grammy nomination, critical acclaim from major international publications, high-profile collaborations, and work on globally recognized entertainment projects — established sustained national and international acclaim and demonstrated that he is among the small percentage at the very top of his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-10_02_B2203; source_row=26150
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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