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 13481–13490

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first and second prongs, making further discussion of the balancing factors unnecessary.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first and second prongs, making further discussion of the balancing factors unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-25_01_B5203; source_row=25290
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that La Gazetta del Mezzogiorno was not established as major media because the Petitioner provided no comparative circulation data, and relied on Wikipedia which cannot guarantee the validity of its content. As to Danza Si, the Petitioner did not establish it is a professional or major trade publication or major media. The article in Il Corsivo was not referenced on appeal.

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

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AAO agreed that La Gazetta del Mezzogiorno was not established as major media because the Petitioner provided no comparative circulation data, and relied on Wikipedia which cannot guarantee the validity of its content. As to Danza Si, the Petitioner did not establish it is a professional or major trade publication or major media. The article in Il Corsivo was not referenced on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-24_02_B2203; source_row=25278
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the letter from the award organizer alone was insufficient to establish national or international recognition, particularly without independent corroborating evidence. The second award appeared to be a regional recognition for natives of a specific Italian city rather than a nationally or internationally recognized prize for excellence.

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AAO found the letter from the award organizer alone was insufficient to establish national or international recognition, particularly without independent corroborating evidence. The second award appeared to be a regional recognition for natives of a specific Italian city rather than a nationally or internationally recognized prize for excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-24_02_B2203; source_row=25277
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the evidence insufficient to establish the organizations' distinguished reputations, noting media coverage did not reference one key organization at all. The letter from the performing arts association was vague and did not describe the Petitioner's specific duties or how his role was leading or critical. Letters from U.S.…

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AAO found the evidence insufficient to establish the organizations' distinguished reputations, noting media coverage did not reference one key organization at all. The letter from the performing arts association was vague and did not describe the Petitioner's specific duties or how his role was leading or critical. Letters from U.S. dance schools did not establish distinguished reputation of those schools or the Petitioner's leading/critical role. AAO agreed discrete events or productions do not constitute 'organizations or establishments.'
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-24_02_B2203; source_row=25282
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 a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Petitioner played leading roles in specific productions, the evidence does not establish that she served as a leader for any theater company's overall organization. Reference letters do not demonstrate she held a leading or critical role beyond that of other ensemble members for the organization as a whole.

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While the Petitioner played leading roles in specific productions, the evidence does not establish that she served as a leader for any theater company's overall organization. Reference letters do not demonstrate she held a leading or critical role beyond that of other ensemble members for the organization as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-24_01_B2203; source_row=25274
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial success in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the Director's finding. While two letters described relative commercial success, the theater companies are relatively small and the Petitioner did not compare her figures to those of other small theater companies, larger regional companies, or Broadway productions, making the evidence insufficient to establish commercial success relative to others in similar pursuits.

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The AAO withdrew the Director's finding. While two letters described relative commercial success, the theater companies are relatively small and the Petitioner did not compare her figures to those of other small theater companies, larger regional companies, or Broadway productions, making the evidence insufficient to establish commercial success relative to others in similar pursuits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-24_01_B2203; source_row=25275
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

The AAO agreed that the award is regional and found no evidence of recognition at the national or international level in the theater community. The criterion requires national or international recognition, not merely geographic breadth.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO agreed that the award is regional and found no evidence of recognition at the national or international level in the theater community. The criterion requires national or international recognition, not merely geographic breadth.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-24_01_B2203; source_row=25271
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The membership criteria primarily include previous work with the company and support of three active members, with election requiring 75% vote. This does not demonstrate that prior service as an actor is an outstanding achievement or that voting members are recognized national or international experts.

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

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The membership criteria primarily include previous work with the company and support of three active members, with election requiring 75% vote. This does not demonstrate that prior service as an actor is an outstanding achievement or that voting members are recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-24_01_B2203; source_row=25272
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the testimonial letters did not contain specific, detailed information explaining significant influence on the overall field, and did not support the Petitioner's own claims about revolutionizing dance. Only two letters discussed the teaching tradition and both were from instructors who used the method before hiring the Petitioner. The letters relied on hyperbolic language without specifics.

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 the testimonial letters did not contain specific, detailed information explaining significant influence on the overall field, and did not support the Petitioner's own claims about revolutionizing dance. Only two letters discussed the teaching tradition and both were from instructors who used the method before hiring the Petitioner. The letters relied on hyperbolic language without specifics.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-24_02_B2203; source_row=25279
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the individual's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO disagreed with the Director's narrow reading that this criterion applies only to visual artists, finding the regulation requires only that the work displayed be the petitioner's own work product and that the venues be artistic exhibitions or showcases. AAO found the evidence of ballet performances at European venues sufficient to satisfy this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO disagreed with the Director's narrow reading that this criterion applies only to visual artists, finding the regulation requires only that the work displayed be the petitioner's own work product and that the venues be artistic exhibitions or showcases. AAO found the evidence of ballet performances at European venues sufficient to satisfy this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-24_02_B2203; source_row=25281
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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