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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 12761–12770

EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that, while not every submitted article qualifies, the record contains articles published by major newspapers and industry publications that clearly satisfy the criterion. The Director's blanket dismissal of the submitted articles was error.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that, while not every submitted article qualifies, the record contains articles published by major newspapers and industry publications that clearly satisfy the criterion. The Director's blanket dismissal of the submitted articles was error.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-10_02_B2203; source_row=26147
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

other

Other evidence of ability to pay (Sonegawa factors)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record showed the Petitioner has been in business since 1993 but its own tax preparer acknowledged 'severe financial difficulties over the years,' undercutting longevity as a positive indicator. Market value was asserted but not evidenced. Bank statements only reflected already-considered year-end cash balances. The line of credit is not a cash asset and would increase liabilities.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The record showed the Petitioner has been in business since 1993 but its own tax preparer acknowledged 'severe financial difficulties over the years,' undercutting longevity as a positive indicator. Market value was asserted but not evidenced. Bank statements only reflected already-considered year-end cash balances. The line of credit is not a cash asset and would increase liabilities. Unsupported assertions in the President's letter carried very limited weight. Unlike Sonegawa, the record did not establish business growth, uncharacteristic losses, or replacement of an existing worker, and the Petitioner must also account for multiple beneficiaries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-06_01_B5203; source_row=26139
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

other

Wages actually paid to beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The wages paid to the Beneficiary in 2018 ($69,200) and 2019 ($50,474 through September) did not equal or exceed the annual proffered wage of $94,536, creating shortfalls of $25,336 in 2018 and $44,062 in 2019.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The wages paid to the Beneficiary in 2018 ($69,200) and 2019 ($50,474 through September) did not equal or exceed the annual proffered wage of $94,536, creating shortfalls of $25,336 in 2018 and $44,062 in 2019.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-06_01_B5203; source_row=26137
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay combined proffered wages for multiple I-140 beneficiaries

Why AAO was not persuaded

USCIS records showed the Petitioner had filed another Form I-140 for a different beneficiary. The Petitioner was required to demonstrate ability to pay the combined proffered wages of all applicable beneficiaries but failed to submit the required documentation.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
USCIS records showed the Petitioner had filed another Form I-140 for a different beneficiary. The Petitioner was required to demonstrate ability to pay the combined proffered wages of all applicable beneficiaries but failed to submit the required documentation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-06_01_B5203; source_row=26140
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

other

Net income and net current assets

Why AAO was not persuaded

The 2018 tax return showed a net loss of $10,107 and end-of-year net current liabilities of $192,411. The accrual-method letter was not supported by audited financial statements and the cash-method figures on the filed tax return could not be recast. The 2019 documents were unaudited projections and did not establish ability to pay.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The 2018 tax return showed a net loss of $10,107 and end-of-year net current liabilities of $192,411. The accrual-method letter was not supported by audited financial statements and the cash-method figures on the filed tax return could not be recast. The 2019 documents were unaudited projections and did not establish ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-06_01_B5203; source_row=26138
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 for organizations or establishments with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that an individual artist does not qualify as an 'organization' or 'establishment.' Regarding galleries, the evidence showed that the Petitioner exhibited and sold work there, but did not establish that his role was leading or critical to the galleries' activities—being a represented artist whose work sells well does not constitute a leading or critical organizational role.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found that an individual artist does not qualify as an 'organization' or 'establishment.' Regarding galleries, the evidence showed that the Petitioner exhibited and sold work there, but did not establish that his role was leading or critical to the galleries' activities—being a represented artist whose work sells well does not constitute a leading or critical organizational role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-05_02_B2203; source_row=26134
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

The AAO agreed that the criterion was not met. Finalist status in a competition does not constitute membership in an association. For the art academy, the president's letters were not sufficiently detailed to establish that the academy requires prospective members to demonstrate 'outstanding achievements,' and the academy's own website stated that talent was the first criterion regardless of CV length, awards, or honors.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO agreed that the criterion was not met. Finalist status in a competition does not constitute membership in an association. For the art academy, the president's letters were not sufficiently detailed to establish that the academy requires prospective members to demonstrate 'outstanding achievements,' and the academy's own website stated that talent was the first criterion regardless of CV length, awards, or honors.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-05_02_B2203; source_row=26131
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 AAO agreed that the criterion was not met, though it disagreed with the Director's evidentiary sufficiency finding. The AAO found that an honorable mention in a seasonal online showcase lacked broader recognition beyond the issuing organization; 'Artist of the Day' was not a prize or award for excellence; finalist status in salon competitions was not shown to be a 'prize or award'; the Venezuelan contest was limited to…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO agreed that the criterion was not met, though it disagreed with the Director's evidentiary sufficiency finding. The AAO found that an honorable mention in a seasonal online showcase lacked broader recognition beyond the issuing organization; 'Artist of the Day' was not a prize or award for excellence; finalist status in salon competitions was not shown to be a 'prize or award'; the Venezuelan contest was limited to students and amateurs with a small number of entrants; and a participation certificate was not an award for excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-05_02_B2203; source_row=26130
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 in relation to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the Petitioner documented sales prices for only two paintings and that gallery letters lacked specific figures. The Artprice reports showed his prices were higher than many artists but did not establish significantly high remuneration, and data was limited to auction sales rather than gallery sales.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found the Petitioner documented sales prices for only two paintings and that gallery letters lacked specific figures. The Artprice reports showed his prices were higher than many artists but did not establish significantly high remuneration, and data was limited to auction sales rather than gallery sales.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-05_02_B2203; source_row=26135
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reaffirmed that leading a specialized surgical unit was not shown to be a leading or critical role for the hospitals overall, and that the Petitioner did not establish the organizations have a distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO reaffirmed that leading a specialized surgical unit was not shown to be a leading or critical role for the hospitals overall, and that the Petitioner did not establish the organizations have a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-05_01_B2203; source_row=26128
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment