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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 13601–13610

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

The Petitioner claimed leading or critical roles with a private acting coach's business, a South African artists' organization, and a martial arts studio. None of the claimed roles were sufficiently established as leading or critical, and none of the organizations were shown to have a distinguished reputation through independent evidence.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner claimed leading or critical roles with a private acting coach's business, a South African artists' organization, and a martial arts studio. None of the claimed roles were sufficiently established as leading or critical, and none of the organizations were shown to have a distinguished reputation through independent evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-04_02_B2203; source_row=25155
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 from industry professionals praised the Petitioner's unique background, skillset, and cultural perspective, but did not demonstrate that his contributions have been widely implemented or have remarkably impacted the field. New letters on appeal describing a contributed 'action vocabulary' teaching method showed influence only on one coach and a few students, not on the broader field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The letters from industry professionals praised the Petitioner's unique background, skillset, and cultural perspective, but did not demonstrate that his contributions have been widely implemented or have remarkably impacted the field. New letters on appeal describing a contributed 'action vocabulary' teaching method showed influence only on one coach and a few students, not on the broader field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-04_02_B2203; source_row=25154
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

Judging the work of others in the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner holds FIG judging credentials and has participated as a judge at acrobatic gymnastics competitions since 2009, satisfying this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner holds FIG judging credentials and has participated as a judge at acrobatic gymnastics competitions since 2009, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-04_01_B2203; source_row=25149
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue as unnecessary because the Petitioner did not satisfy the minimum three evidentiary criteria at step 1.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved this issue as unnecessary because the Petitioner did not satisfy the minimum three evidentiary criteria at step 1.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-04_01_B2203; source_row=25152
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of sustained acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-04_02_B2203; source_row=25156
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in major trade publications or other major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner meets criterion iii based on an article published in The Star, which qualifies as major media in South Africa and is about the Petitioner and his work.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner meets criterion iii based on an article published in The Star, which qualifies as major media in South Africa and is about the Petitioner and his work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-04_02_B2203; source_row=25153
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Minimum educational requirement of labor certification

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record shows the Beneficiary earned a master of science degree in computer and information science, satisfying the labor certification's educational requirement.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The record shows the Beneficiary earned a master of science degree in computer and information science, satisfying the labor certification's educational requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-03_01_B5203; source_row=25140
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay the proffered wage from priority date onward

Why the evidence was persuasive

Reviewing all pertinent documentation including the parent company's Form 10-K filings identifying the Petitioner as a consolidated subsidiary, letters from the corporate controller, the Beneficiary's W-2, and pay statements showing pay exceeding the proffered wage, AAO concluded the Petitioner established ability to pay by a preponderance of the evidence.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Reviewing all pertinent documentation including the parent company's Form 10-K filings identifying the Petitioner as a consolidated subsidiary, letters from the corporate controller, the Beneficiary's W-2, and pay statements showing pay exceeding the proffered wage, AAO concluded the Petitioner established ability to pay by a preponderance of the evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-03_01_B5203; source_row=25144
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Two years in each of eight specific technical areas (section H.14)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employment verification letter indicates the Beneficiary worked in all requisite technical areas but does not clearly state whether she had two full years of experience in each specific area as required by section H.14, necessitating remand.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The employment verification letter indicates the Beneficiary worked in all requisite technical areas but does not clearly state whether she had two full years of experience in each specific area as required by section H.14, necessitating remand.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-03_01_B5203; source_row=25142
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Whether prior employment constitutes an 'applications developer-related occupation'

What the decision said

AAO flagged that on remand the Director should determine whether the Beneficiary's job at one of the universities qualifies as an 'applications developer-related occupation' as required by the labor certification.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO flagged that on remand the Director should determine whether the Beneficiary's job at one of the universities qualifies as an 'applications developer-related occupation' as required by the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-03_01_B5203; source_row=25143
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment