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 12811–12820

EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display at artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

AAO declined to address this criterion in detail but noted the Petitioner's characterization was flawed, as she consistently omitted the word 'artistic' when quoting the regulation — a word that is integral and essential to the criterion.

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AAO declined to address this criterion in detail but noted the Petitioner's characterization was flawed, as she consistently omitted the word 'artistic' when quoting the regulation — a word that is integral and essential to the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-28_01_B2203; source_row=26079
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the totality of evidence, including the Petitioner's leadership of a prominent human rights organization, her national-level civil rights work, consultations with UN committees and foreign governments, and the accolades of other activists, established her sustained national acclaim and top-of-the-field status.

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AAO found that the totality of evidence, including the Petitioner's leadership of a prominent human rights organization, her national-level civil rights work, consultations with UN committees and foreign governments, and the accolades of other activists, established her sustained national acclaim and top-of-the-field status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-28_01_B2203; source_row=26081
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was satisfied, and specifically noted the Petitioner's leadership of a human rights organization as foremost evidence.

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AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was satisfied, and specifically noted the Petitioner's leadership of a human rights organization as foremost evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-28_01_B2203; source_row=26080
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

continued work in the field and substantial prospective benefit to the United States

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director's conclusion rested on a misunderstanding of the Petitioner's work: she conducts research in furtherance of broader human rights advocacy, and the benefit to the United States derives from increased awareness of human rights violations and political pressure to remedy them.

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AAO found the Director's conclusion rested on a misunderstanding of the Petitioner's work: she conducts research in furtherance of broader human rights advocacy, and the benefit to the United States derives from increased awareness of human rights violations and political pressure to remedy them.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-28_01_B2203; source_row=26082
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineerPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while the Petitioner conducted, published, and presented research during graduate studies, he failed to show his work had meaningful impact in the field, a record of success, or sufficient interest from relevant parties. Citation evidence was undermined by self-citation concerns, post-filing data, and methodological issues. Awards lacked demonstrated significance.…

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AAO found that while the Petitioner conducted, published, and presented research during graduate studies, he failed to show his work had meaningful impact in the field, a record of success, or sufficient interest from relevant parties. Citation evidence was undermined by self-citation concerns, post-filing data, and methodological issues. Awards lacked demonstrated significance. Research funding was attributed to group projects without showing the Petitioner was primarily responsible. Recommendation letters did not provide concrete examples of real-world impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-24_01_B5203; source_row=26068
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineerPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's citation record did not demonstrate sufficient interest from relevant parties, his research funding was not shown to be his own rather than his professors', his awards lacked demonstrated significance, and his published graduate research work had not been shown to constitute a record of success or to have served as an impetus for progress in the field.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's citation record did not demonstrate sufficient interest from relevant parties, his research funding was not shown to be his own rather than his professors', his awards lacked demonstrated significance, and his published graduate research work had not been shown to constitute a record of success or to have served as an impetus for progress in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-24_02_B5203; source_row=26071
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineerPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the record demonstrated both substantial merit and national importance of the proposed nanoparticle transport mechanism research, supported by documentation of its relevance to the oil and gas sector and broader dissemination through journals and conferences.

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AAO found the record demonstrated both substantial merit and national importance of the proposed nanoparticle transport mechanism research, supported by documentation of its relevance to the oil and gas sector and broader dissemination through journals and conferences.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-24_01_B5203; source_row=26067
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineerPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed to establish the second prong, AAO declined to reach the third prong, finding further discussion would serve no meaningful purpose.

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Because the Petitioner failed to establish the second prong, AAO declined to reach the third prong, finding further discussion would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-24_01_B5203; source_row=26069
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineerPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the record demonstrates that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance, pointing to the letter from the department chair about applications in the oil and gas sector, U.S. energy import/export data, and dissemination of research results through journals and conferences.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the record demonstrates that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance, pointing to the letter from the department chair about applications in the oil and gas sector, U.S. energy import/export data, and dissemination of research results through journals and conferences.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-24_02_B5203; source_row=26070
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical EngineeringPhD3 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the recommendation letters lacked specific examples of how the Petitioner's work has been implemented, utilized, or applauded by others. Citation counts (highest at 11) were modest and not properly contextualized, and inclusion in PubChem only shows dissemination, not impact. The record does not show the work served as an impetus for progress or generated substantial positive discourse in the field.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the recommendation letters lacked specific examples of how the Petitioner's work has been implemented, utilized, or applauded by others. Citation counts (highest at 11) were modest and not properly contextualized, and inclusion in PubChem only shows dissemination, not impact. The record does not show the work served as an impetus for progress or generated substantial positive discourse in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-07-23_01_B5203; source_row=26055
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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