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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 13331–13340
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established
Case facts
Chemistry / Chemical Engineering
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO determined that the totality of the evidence — including limited media coverage, undifferentiated peer review activity, modest citation counts without field-comparative data, insufficiently distinguished letters of recommendation, and research impact not shown to be exceptional — did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the top of the field.
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Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO determined that the totality of the evidence — including limited media coverage, undifferentiated peer review activity, modest citation counts without field-comparative data, insufficiently distinguished letters of recommendation, and research impact not shown to be exceptional — did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-23_01_B2203; source_row=25455 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Chemistry / Chemical Engineering
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material
Why the evidence was persuasive
The record contains a published article in European Pharmaceutical Review about the Beneficiary and her work, and the Petitioner established that publication is a major medium.
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The record contains a published article in European Pharmaceutical Review about the Beneficiary and her work, and the Petitioner established that publication is a major medium.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-23_01_B2203; source_row=25451 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Chemistry / Chemical Engineering
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions
What the decision said
AAO declined to address whether the Beneficiary meets the original contributions criterion because she already satisfied three other criteria, but noted the evidence would be considered in the final merits determination.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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AAO declined to address whether the Beneficiary meets the original contributions criterion because she already satisfied three other criteria, but noted the evidence would be considered in the final merits determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-23_01_B2203; source_row=25454 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The record reflects that the Beneficiary has authored scholarly articles published in journals including the Journal of Pharmacy Research and the African Journal of Food Science.
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 record reflects that the Beneficiary has authored scholarly articles published in journals including the Journal of Pharmacy Research and the African Journal of Food Science.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-23_01_B2203; source_row=25453 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO considered this criterion sua sponte because the Director failed to address it. AAO found that while the Petitioner's salary of $122,864 exceeds the median wages for both electrical engineers and software developers in the relevant area, the evidence does not sufficiently establish it is high rather than just above average compared to others in the field.
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AAO considered this criterion sua sponte because the Director failed to address it. AAO found that while the Petitioner's salary of $122,864 exceeds the median wages for both electrical engineers and software developers in the relevant area, the evidence does not sufficiently establish it is high rather than just above average compared to others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-19_03_B2203; source_row=25450 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
high salary or significantly high remuneration relative to others in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the national salary averages submitted were not geographically appropriate and used the FLC Data Center Level IV data for the local area as the proper comparator. The Petitioner's base salary was only $10,000–$26,000 above the Level IV wage, showing an above-average but not high salary relative to similarly situated software developers.
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 the national salary averages submitted were not geographically appropriate and used the FLC Data Center Level IV data for the local area as the proper comparator. The Petitioner's base salary was only $10,000–$26,000 above the Level IV wage, showing an above-average but not high salary relative to similarly situated software developers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-19_01_B2203; source_row=25439 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Computer Science / AI
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
While the Petitioner's work led to more efficient internal operations and business growth for his employer, the evidence did not establish that the contribution was of major significance to the broader investment management industry or financial technology field. The proprietary nature of the technology and the employer's market share did not elevate the contribution to the requisite level.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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While the Petitioner's work led to more efficient internal operations and business growth for his employer, the evidence did not establish that the contribution was of major significance to the broader investment management industry or financial technology field. The proprietary nature of the technology and the employer's market share did not elevate the contribution to the requisite level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-19_01_B2203; source_row=25437 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
judging the work of others in the same or an allied field
Why AAO was not persuaded
Although the Director recognized judging of junior attorneys, the AAO found that none of the reference letters confirm that the Petitioner participated as a judge of the work of others, and his unsupported assertions about supervising associates at his law firm were insufficient.
Why this is useful
See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.
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Although the Director recognized judging of junior attorneys, the AAO found that none of the reference letters confirm that the Petitioner participated as a judge of the work of others, and his unsupported assertions about supervising associates at his law firm were insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-19_02_B2203; source_row=25443 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Leading / critical role
leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
While the department has a distinguished reputation, the reference letters do not show the Petitioner acted as a leader, the record lacks evidence of his standing in the leadership structure, and the evidence does not establish that his contributions were of significant importance to the department's overall activities. There is also insufficient evidence about his law firm.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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While the department has a distinguished reputation, the reference letters do not show the Petitioner acted as a leader, the record lacks evidence of his standing in the leadership structure, and the evidence does not establish that his contributions were of significant importance to the department's overall activities. There is also insufficient evidence about his law firm.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-19_02_B2203; source_row=25446 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c