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 13871–13880

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

Even where the role was leading or critical (e.g., Principal Violin II), the record did not establish that the orchestras or ensembles enjoyed distinguished reputations. Letters from organization insiders, isolated programs, and a single 1987 New York Times article were insufficient.

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Even where the role was leading or critical (e.g., Principal Violin II), the record did not establish that the orchestras or ensembles enjoyed distinguished reputations. Letters from organization insiders, isolated programs, and a single 1987 New York Times article were insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_02_B2203; source_row=24826
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not establish her articles were written for learned persons in the field, nor that La Musica or Mom & I qualify as professional publications, major trade publications, or other major media.

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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The Petitioner did not establish her articles were written for learned persons in the field, nor that La Musica or Mom & I qualify as professional publications, major trade publications, or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_02_B2203; source_row=24824
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 rulebooks and criteria documents submitted establish how points are awarded at competitions but do not demonstrate the national or international significance of the specific awards won. The record lacks evidence that these awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in martial arts.

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The rulebooks and criteria documents submitted establish how points are awarded at competitions but do not demonstrate the national or international significance of the specific awards won. The record lacks evidence that these awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in martial arts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_01_B2203; source_row=24815
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 other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

Most articles lack an author as required by the criterion. The Petitioner did not submit comparative evidence showing circulation statistics are high relative to other publications or that the outlets constitute professional, major trade, or major media publications. Some articles are not about the Petitioner.

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Most articles lack an author as required by the criterion. The Petitioner did not submit comparative evidence showing circulation statistics are high relative to other publications or that the outlets constitute professional, major trade, or major media publications. Some articles are not about the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_01_B2203; source_row=24816
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding on this criterion. While the evidence establishes that the Petitioner served as a referee at martial arts events, he did not provide a description of his duties demonstrating that refereeing involved evaluating or judging the work or skills of competitors, as opposed to enforcing rules and ensuring sportsmanlike conduct.…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding on this criterion. While the evidence establishes that the Petitioner served as a referee at martial arts events, he did not provide a description of his duties demonstrating that refereeing involved evaluating or judging the work or skills of competitors, as opposed to enforcing rules and ensuring sportsmanlike conduct. The World Kickboxing Federation rulebook indicated that referees enforce rules while judges score matches, and no equivalent evidence was provided for the WMF or WKPA events.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_01_B2203; source_row=24817
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO acknowledged the record shows substantial merit in the Petitioner's proposed entrepreneurial work, but found insufficient evidence that the specific proposed endeavor has national importance, as it would not impact his field or U.S. trade more broadly beyond his immediate clientele and lacked demonstrated significant potential for U.S. job creation or substantial positive economic effects.

Why this is useful

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AAO acknowledged the record shows substantial merit in the Petitioner's proposed entrepreneurial work, but found insufficient evidence that the specific proposed endeavor has national importance, as it would not impact his field or U.S. trade more broadly beyond his immediate clientele and lacked demonstrated significant potential for U.S. job creation or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_01_B5203; source_row=24819
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to analyze the third prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly declined to analyze the third prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_02_B5203; source_row=24829
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to analyze the second prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly declined to analyze the second prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_02_B5203; source_row=24828
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

artistic display of work

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the display criterion based on her modeling in fashion shows and acting in television soap operas.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the display criterion based on her modeling in fashion shows and acting in television soap operas.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_03_B2203; source_row=24833
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

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed there was sufficient evidence that the Petitioner participated as a judge of the work of other musicians at the International Music Competition.

Why this is useful

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The AAO agreed there was sufficient evidence that the Petitioner participated as a judge of the work of other musicians at the International Music Competition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-12-10_02_B2203; source_row=24823
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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