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.
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why AAO was not persuaded
For the screenwriting award, the record did not establish national or international recognition commensurate with this criterion; the Baike encyclopedia entry was given no evidentiary weight, the expert letter lacked corroboration, and the two brief articles were insufficient to demonstrate the requisite level of media coverage.…
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For the screenwriting award, the record did not establish national or international recognition commensurate with this criterion; the Baike encyclopedia entry was given no evidentiary weight, the expert letter lacked corroboration, and the two brief articles were insufficient to demonstrate the requisite level of media coverage. For the Excellent Feature Film award, the award was given to the film and its investors/production companies, not to the Petitioner personally, so it fails the plain language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_03_B2203; source_row=25427 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO did not adopt the Director's rationale that a screenwriter/director is categorically excluded, but found the criterion was not met because the record lacked corroborating evidence of the box office receipts and evidence of the film's commercial success relative to others in the industry.
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AAO did not adopt the Director's rationale that a screenwriter/director is categorically excluded, but found the criterion was not met because the record lacked corroborating evidence of the box office receipts and evidence of the film's commercial success relative to others in the industry.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_03_B2203; source_row=25432 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO disagreed with the Director's peer-based rationale, finding that judging written works regardless of intended audience would be within the Petitioner's field. However, AAO found insufficient evidence that the Petitioner actually participated as a judge due to an unexplained inconsistency between her appointment dates and a co-judge's statement about when she served.
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See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.
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AAO disagreed with the Director's peer-based rationale, finding that judging written works regardless of intended audience would be within the Petitioner's field. However, AAO found insufficient evidence that the Petitioner actually participated as a judge due to an unexplained inconsistency between her appointment dates and a co-judge's statement about when she served.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_03_B2203; source_row=25429 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material about the individual in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Why AAO was not persuaded
Articles from major English-language outlets were reviews of the film rather than articles about the Petitioner. Chinese-language articles that were about the Petitioner were not accompanied by sufficient evidence establishing the publications as major media; Wikipedia and Baidu entries were given no evidentiary weight, and circulation figures without comparative data were insufficient.
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Articles from major English-language outlets were reviews of the film rather than articles about the Petitioner. Chinese-language articles that were about the Petitioner were not accompanied by sufficient evidence establishing the publications as major media; Wikipedia and Baidu entries were given no evidentiary weight, and circulation figures without comparative data were insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_03_B2203; source_row=25428 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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
The letters praised the Petitioner's abilities but did not identify original contributions or explain how those contributions had major significance outside his employer and former university. The new evidence of volunteer art mentoring did not establish an original contribution to the field or that two days of volunteer service remarkably influenced 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 letters praised the Petitioner's abilities but did not identify original contributions or explain how those contributions had major significance outside his employer and former university. The new evidence of volunteer art mentoring did not establish an original contribution to the field or that two days of volunteer service remarkably influenced the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_01_B2203; source_row=25409 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Display of the individual's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
Why AAO was not persuaded
YouTube upload of a music video does not qualify as an artistic exhibition or showcase; the trade show booths were not artistic exhibitions and occurred after the petition filing; and the Petitioner did not provide specific evidence of his artwork displayed at identified artistic exhibitions or showcases.
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YouTube upload of a music video does not qualify as an artistic exhibition or showcase; the trade show booths were not artistic exhibitions and occurred after the petition filing; and the Petitioner did not provide specific evidence of his artwork displayed at identified artistic exhibitions or showcases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_01_B2203; source_row=25411 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The evidence did not include box office receipts or sales of recorded media attributable to the Petitioner's own work in the performing arts, as the regulation requires. Photos with voice actors at Comic Con do not satisfy this criterion.
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The evidence did not include box office receipts or sales of recorded media attributable to the Petitioner's own work in the performing arts, as the regulation requires. Photos with voice actors at Comic Con do not satisfy this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_01_B2203; source_row=25414 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
Published material about the individual in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Why AAO was not persuaded
The newspaper article was about the contest and its winners as a whole, not about the Petitioner and his work. The article also failed to identify the newspaper title, date of publication, or author, and was not shown to qualify as a professional/major trade publication or major media. The Petitioner waived the music video claim on appeal.
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The newspaper article was about the contest and its winners as a whole, not about the Petitioner and his work. The article also failed to identify the newspaper title, date of publication, or author, and was not shown to qualify as a professional/major trade publication or major media. The Petitioner waived the music video claim on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_01_B2203; source_row=25407 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
Completing a training course is not membership; the freelance company's selection process appeared to be standard hiring rather than an association membership; the 3D Mentors Group lacked supporting evidence of its criteria; and a Facebook group for online course students does not qualify as an association requiring outstanding achievements.
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Completing a training course is not membership; the freelance company's selection process appeared to be standard hiring rather than an association membership; the 3D Mentors Group lacked supporting evidence of its criteria; and a Facebook group for online course students does not qualify as an association requiring outstanding achievements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_01_B2203; source_row=25406 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
The letters confirmed employment and praised the Petitioner's skills but were too general and lacked specific information about how his roles were leading or critical to the organizations. The Autodesk claim was unsupported by any letter, certificate, or resume reference confirming a trainer role.
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The letters confirmed employment and praised the Petitioner's skills but were too general and lacked specific information about how his roles were leading or critical to the organizations. The Autodesk claim was unsupported by any letter, certificate, or resume reference confirming a trainer role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-17_01_B2203; source_row=25412 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c