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 13061–13070

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 while the Petitioner competed in national and international events, he did not submit sufficient evidence regarding the stature or recognition of his specific awards. Evidence for several claimed awards was missing entirely, and the RFE response failed to adequately address the national or international significance of the awards received.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that while the Petitioner competed in national and international events, he did not submit sufficient evidence regarding the stature or recognition of his specific awards. Evidence for several claimed awards was missing entirely, and the RFE response failed to adequately address the national or international significance of the awards received.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_09_B2203; source_row=25759
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that competitive results are more relevant to the awards criterion and were not indicative of original contributions of major significance. Coaching achievements were not shown to be original or to have impacted the field beyond individual students. The submitted letters were conclusory, hyperbolic, and lacked specifics about original contributions.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that competitive results are more relevant to the awards criterion and were not indicative of original contributions of major significance. Coaching achievements were not shown to be original or to have impacted the field beyond individual students. The submitted letters were conclusory, hyperbolic, and lacked specifics about original contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_09_B2203; source_row=25763
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others in the same or allied field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the reference letters lacked specificity about events, the judging credential only showed qualification rather than actual participation, and the description of the Chief Judge role indicated duties that do not involve judging athletes' performances. No event-specific corroborating records were submitted.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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AAO found that the reference letters lacked specificity about events, the judging credential only showed qualification rather than actual participation, and the description of the Chief Judge role indicated duties that do not involve judging athletes' performances. No event-specific corroborating records were submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_09_B2203; source_row=25762
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 found that Nasha Gazeta is a local/regional publication per its own editor, and that Kostanay News, while having broader reach, lacked comparative circulation data to establish it as major media. Self-serving editorial assertions were insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that Nasha Gazeta is a local/regional publication per its own editor, and that Kostanay News, while having broader reach, lacked comparative circulation data to establish it as major media. Self-serving editorial assertions were insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_09_B2203; source_row=25761
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's work was significant at a regional level in Spain, but the record did not show that her contributions to animal welfare law, advisory activities, or international projects garnered acclaim at the national or international level or placed her among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner's work was significant at a regional level in Spain, but the record did not show that her contributions to animal welfare law, advisory activities, or international projects garnered acclaim at the national or international level or placed her among the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_03_B2203; source_row=25735
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that competitive results are more relevant to the awards criterion, that having a unique style is not itself a contribution of major significance without evidence of actual impact on the field, that submitted letters were largely conclusory and contained identical language, and that no documentation from the issuing organization explained the criteria for the Master of Sport title.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that competitive results are more relevant to the awards criterion, that having a unique style is not itself a contribution of major significance without evidence of actual impact on the field, that submitted letters were largely conclusory and contained identical language, and that no documentation from the issuing organization explained the criteria for the Master of Sport title.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_10_B2203; source_row=25768
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published materials in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that none of the pre-filing articles were about the Petitioner (they mentioned him only in passing or in group results), and that the post-filing articles were published after the July 2018 filing date and could not establish eligibility as of filing. Additionally, there was insufficient evidence that any of the publications qualified as major media.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that none of the pre-filing articles were about the Petitioner (they mentioned him only in passing or in group results), and that the post-filing articles were published after the July 2018 filing date and could not establish eligibility as of filing. Additionally, there was insufficient evidence that any of the publications qualified as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_10_B2203; source_row=25767
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

AAO found the new evidence both untimely (post-dating the filing) and substantively insufficient because the Petitioner did not show the film qualifies as an organization or establishment with a distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the new evidence both untimely (post-dating the filing) and substantively insufficient because the Petitioner did not show the film qualifies as an organization or establishment with a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_04_B2203; source_row=25737
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that mere availability on a streaming platform does not satisfy the regulation's plain-language requirement of evidence of box office receipts or record, cassette, compact disk, or video sales relative to others in the field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO held that mere availability on a streaming platform does not satisfy the regulation's plain-language requirement of evidence of box office receipts or record, cassette, compact disk, or video sales relative to others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_04_B2203; source_row=25738
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Director incorrectly dismissed the articles as promotional materials without acknowledging the Petitioner's RFE response, and agreed that two articles are about the Petitioner and his work as an entrepreneur. AAO remanded for the Director to determine whether the articles were published in professional or major trade publications or other major media.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the Director incorrectly dismissed the articles as promotional materials without acknowledging the Petitioner's RFE response, and agreed that two articles are about the Petitioner and his work as an entrepreneur. AAO remanded for the Director to determine whether the articles were published in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-05-27_08_B2203; source_row=25754
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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