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 13681–13690

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue for the Director to address on remand if at least three criteria are found met.

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AAO reserved this issue for the Director to address on remand if at least three criteria are found met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-23_01_B2203; source_row=25068
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

What the decision said

AAO found the Director imposed a novel requirement not found in the plain language of the regulation, which only requires evidence of performing in a leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation, without restriction to a specific occupation.

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AAO found the Director imposed a novel requirement not found in the plain language of the regulation, which only requires evidence of performing in a leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation, without restriction to a specific occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-23_01_B2203; source_row=25066
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

AAO found the LARAS evidence did not establish that voting membership requires 'outstanding achievements' as it was unclear what standard is applied beyond evaluating 'quality.' The AVINPRO document's source was unknown, and it did not sufficiently detail the basis on which membership applications are evaluated.

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AAO found the LARAS evidence did not establish that voting membership requires 'outstanding achievements' as it was unclear what standard is applied beyond evaluating 'quality.' The AVINPRO document's source was unknown, and it did not sufficiently detail the basis on which membership applications are evaluated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=25051
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the Petitioner documented receipt of the awards, the supporting evidence was insufficient to establish that they are nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence. The background document lacked attribution to a responsible authority, and the three brief media articles were mere ceremony announcements that did not demonstrate the level of national or international recognition claimed.

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Although the Petitioner documented receipt of the awards, the supporting evidence was insufficient to establish that they are nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence. The background document lacked attribution to a responsible authority, and the three brief media articles were mere ceremony announcements that did not demonstrate the level of national or international recognition claimed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=25050
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The online articles lacked required author attribution, and one lacked a date. The web analytics data was insufficient to establish these outlets qualify as major media. Several print articles covered an ensemble tour and mentioned the Petitioner only incidentally—they were not about him. Other articles about groups did not mention him at all.

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The online articles lacked required author attribution, and one lacked a date. The web analytics data was insufficient to establish these outlets qualify as major media. Several print articles covered an ensemble tour and mentioned the Petitioner only incidentally—they were not about him. Other articles about groups did not mention him at all.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=25052
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 with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that individual performers are not 'organizations or establishments,' and letters from them lacked sufficient detail to establish a critical role. For the ensembles, there was either insufficient evidence of a distinguished reputation or insufficient evidence that the Petitioner's role was leading or critical.…

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AAO found that individual performers are not 'organizations or establishments,' and letters from them lacked sufficient detail to establish a critical role. For the ensembles, there was either insufficient evidence of a distinguished reputation or insufficient evidence that the Petitioner's role was leading or critical. For the production company, the letter was insufficiently probative regarding the Petitioner's impact on the company's success.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=25055
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted award materials do not show the Beneficiary's name. Only one of the four items claimed was an actual award; the rest were nominations or honorable mentions. Collective awards to agencies do not distinguish individual employees. The CSS Design Award documentation named a different designer, undermining the petitioner's claims.…

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The submitted award materials do not show the Beneficiary's name. Only one of the four items claimed was an actual award; the rest were nominations or honorable mentions. Collective awards to agencies do not distinguish individual employees. The CSS Design Award documentation named a different designer, undermining the petitioner's claims. After-the-fact assurances cannot substitute for documentary evidence of personal receipt.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-22_03_B2203; source_row=25057
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other116 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that expert letters primarily attested to the novelty and utility of the Petitioner's research but did not provide specific examples showing major significance or wide implementation. Citation statistics showing top-10% rankings were insufficient without evidence of major impact, and several claims by experts and the Petitioner were contradicted by the actual published articles.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that expert letters primarily attested to the novelty and utility of the Petitioner's research but did not provide specific examples showing major significance or wide implementation. Citation statistics showing top-10% rankings were insufficient without evidence of major impact, and several claims by experts and the Petitioner were contradicted by the actual published articles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-22_01_B2203; source_row=25048
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other116 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO stated that because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of three criteria, a formal final merits determination was not necessary, but reviewed the record in the aggregate and found it did not demonstrate the required sustained acclaim.

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AAO stated that because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of three criteria, a formal final merits determination was not necessary, but reviewed the record in the aggregate and found it did not demonstrate the required sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-22_01_B2203; source_row=25049
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's participation in voting for the 2016 Latin Awards fulfilled the judging criterion.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's participation in voting for the 2016 Latin Awards fulfilled the judging criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=25053
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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