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.
Chemistry / Chemical EngineeringResearcher350 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Scholarly authorship
scholarly articles
Why the evidence was persuasive
Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner's authorship of articles published in multiple peer-reviewed journals satisfied the scholarly articles criterion.
Why this is useful
See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.
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Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner's authorship of articles published in multiple peer-reviewed journals satisfied the scholarly articles criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-07_01_B2203; source_row=24932 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
Why the evidence was persuasive
Senior diplomatic and scholarly roles, expert media commentary in major outlets, and detailed letters from former ambassadors, a former U.S. Senator, and policy advisers establish sustained acclaim and top-of-field status.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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Senior diplomatic and scholarly roles, expert media commentary in major outlets, and detailed letters from former ambassadors, a former U.S. Senator, and policy advisers establish sustained acclaim and top-of-field status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-07_02_B2203; source_row=24941 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why the evidence was persuasive
New letters provided sufficiently detailed information about the nature and significance of the Petitioner's contributions, including specific diplomatic actions central to regional stability.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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New letters provided sufficiently detailed information about the nature and significance of the Petitioner's contributions, including specific diplomatic actions central to regional stability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-07_02_B2203; source_row=24938 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Civil / Structural EngineeringEngineer
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial merit and national importance
Why the evidence was persuasive
The Petitioner's proposed research on traffic signal systems and connected vehicle technologies has substantial merit (reducing accidents, emissions, improving mobility) and national importance, supported by letters describing broader applications and dissemination through engineering conferences. AAO noted that the Petitioner's proposed teaching activities, however, did not meet the national importance element.
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
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The Petitioner's proposed research on traffic signal systems and connected vehicle technologies has substantial merit (reducing accidents, emissions, improving mobility) and national importance, supported by letters describing broader applications and dissemination through engineering conferences. AAO noted that the Petitioner's proposed teaching activities, however, did not meet the national importance element.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-07_02_B5203; source_row=24942 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Electrical / Electronic Engineering9 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that while the letters and evidence show promise in the Petitioner's research, they do not establish that his work already qualifies as a contribution of major significance in the field.…
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
View full reasoning +
AAO found that while the letters and evidence show promise in the Petitioner's research, they do not establish that his work already qualifies as a contribution of major significance in the field. Letters either lacked specificity about major impact or speculated on potential future significance, citation counts were not shown to be commensurate with major significance, patent applications without evidence of widespread adoption do not establish major significance, and conference presentations alone are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-01-06_02_B2203; source_row=24928 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c