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 13271–13280

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via totality of circumstances (Sonegawa factors)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's claim of a vacant nurse practitioner position was unsubstantiated, its total assets were not balanced against liabilities, its bank statement was incomplete and undated, and the proffered wage differed from the intended annual payment. None of the Sonegawa factors were satisfied.

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The Petitioner's claim of a vacant nurse practitioner position was unsubstantiated, its total assets were not balanced against liabilities, its bank statement was incomplete and undated, and the proffered wage differed from the intended annual payment. None of the Sonegawa factors were satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-17_01_B5203; source_row=25527
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via net income or net current assets

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's 2017 Form 1120S showed a net loss of $78,069 and net current liabilities of $23,829, so neither net income nor net current assets could support the proffered wage.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner's 2017 Form 1120S showed a net loss of $78,069 and net current liabilities of $23,829, so neither net income nor net current assets could support the proffered wage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-17_01_B5203; source_row=25526
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via wages paid to beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The only wage evidence was a single weekly pay statement from March 2019 with no W-2s submitted, so no conclusions could be drawn about wages paid across any full year since the priority date.

Why this is useful

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

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The only wage evidence was a single weekly pay statement from March 2019 with no W-2s submitted, so no conclusions could be drawn about wages paid across any full year since the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-17_01_B5203; source_row=25525
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The reference letters showed the Petitioner built a successful and distinctive business, but the record did not demonstrate that his business model was adopted by others or had widespread impact. Supporting assertions about his impact on supercar sales and automotive expertise in China were not backed by objective documentary evidence, and local significance does not rise to the level of major significance in the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The reference letters showed the Petitioner built a successful and distinctive business, but the record did not demonstrate that his business model was adopted by others or had widespread impact. Supporting assertions about his impact on supercar sales and automotive expertise in China were not backed by objective documentary evidence, and local significance does not rise to the level of major significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-06_02_B2203; source_row=25512
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

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

The comparator publications are not in Chinese or distributed in China, the relevant market for the [REDACTED] Evening News. Circulation must be considered in the proper market context, and the comparison does not establish major-media status.

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

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The comparator publications are not in Chinese or distributed in China, the relevant market for the [REDACTED] Evening News. Circulation must be considered in the proper market context, and the comparison does not establish major-media status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-06_05_B2203; source_row=25523
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The criterion focuses on requirements for membership, not relative skill of members. Petitioner relied largely on previously submitted evidence, and rating is separate from membership status within the AGA.

Why this is useful

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

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The criterion focuses on requirements for membership, not relative skill of members. Petitioner relied largely on previously submitted evidence, and rating is separate from membership status within the AGA.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-06_05_B2203; source_row=25522
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

New statements describing the competitions and awards do not constitute new evidence that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized; the underlying award evidence was already in the record.

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New statements describing the competitions and awards do not constitute new evidence that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized; the underlying award evidence was already in the record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-06_03_B2203; source_row=25516
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

one-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

The motion did not present new evidence or argument that any award rises to the level of a major, internationally recognized award; submitted award evidence was already in the record.

Why this is useful

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

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The motion did not present new evidence or argument that any award rises to the level of a major, internationally recognized award; submitted award evidence was already in the record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-06_03_B2203; source_row=25515
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted books are introductory karate materials intended for students, not scholarly articles for learned persons in the field; they do not qualify under criterion (vi).

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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The submitted books are introductory karate materials intended for students, not scholarly articles for learned persons in the field; they do not qualify under criterion (vi).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-06_03_B2203; source_row=25517
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

In the prior appeal decision, AAO found this criterion was met. This finding was not at issue on the motion.

Why this is useful

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

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In the prior appeal decision, AAO found this criterion was met. This finding was not at issue on the motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-04-06_05_B2203; source_row=25524
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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