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 13581–13590
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established
Case facts
Medicine / Clinical31 citations
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that while the Petitioner conducted research during training phases of his medical career, his citation counts, peer review activities, and research publications did not demonstrate a record of success or sufficient interest from relevant parties sufficient to show he was well positioned to advance his proposed research.…
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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AAO found that while the Petitioner conducted research during training phases of his medical career, his citation counts, peer review activities, and research publications did not demonstrate a record of success or sufficient interest from relevant parties sufficient to show he was well positioned to advance his proposed research. His peer review journals lacked documented reputations, his citation counts were not shown to be significant, and his employment/salary was not shown to constitute research funding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-05_01_B5203; source_row=25166 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
high salary or significantly high remuneration for services
Why AAO was not persuaded
The regulatory language and USCIS policy contemplate monetary compensation that can be quantified and compared; a letter from royalty does not constitute remuneration under the criterion.
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The regulatory language and USCIS policy contemplate monetary compensation that can be quantified and compared; a letter from royalty does not constitute remuneration under the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=25163 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why AAO was not persuaded
The certificates relate to creative writing, not civil engineering, so they do not relate to the Petitioner's field of endeavor. The prince's letter merely acknowledges receipt of proposals with no indication they were adopted or that the letter constitutes an award for excellence.
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The certificates relate to creative writing, not civil engineering, so they do not relate to the Petitioner's field of endeavor. The prince's letter merely acknowledges receipt of proposals with no indication they were adopted or that the letter constitutes an award for excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=25157 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner provided no supporting evidence for the PhD-category claim, and the functional website indicated that the only relevant membership requirement is a bachelor's degree in engineering, with no mention of a PhD category or outstanding achievement requirement.
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The Petitioner provided no supporting evidence for the PhD-category claim, and the functional website indicated that the only relevant membership requirement is a bachelor's degree in engineering, with no mention of a PhD category or outstanding achievement requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=25158 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established
Case facts
Civil / Structural Engineering
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Leading / critical role
leading or critical role for distinguished organizations
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner's uncorroborated assertions about the letters were insufficient, and the Petitioner's definition of 'critical role' was impermissibly broad. Legal registration does not establish distinguished reputation.
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The Petitioner's uncorroborated assertions about the letters were insufficient, and the Petitioner's definition of 'critical role' was impermissibly broad. Legal registration does not establish distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=25162 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
OtherPhD
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
What the decision said
AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold, but noted in dicta that the record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.
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AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold, but noted in dicta that the record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-05_02_B2203; source_row=25173 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Civil / Structural Engineering
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner did not document any significant changes to civil engineering practices arising from his work; a single citation in a master's thesis shows only that one student noticed the work, not that it had major impact throughout 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 Petitioner did not document any significant changes to civil engineering practices arising from his work; a single citation in a master's thesis shows only that one student noticed the work, not that it had major impact throughout the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=25160 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO noted that because the Petitioner had not previously claimed this criterion, the AAO did not err by failing to consider it before; the criterion was not substantively evaluated on the merits.
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AAO noted that because the Petitioner had not previously claimed this criterion, the AAO did not err by failing to consider it before; the criterion was not substantively evaluated on the merits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=25164 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c