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 13921–13930

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Possession of Advanced Degree or Foreign Equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

The FCCPT evaluation included coursework beyond the Beneficiary's Indian master's degree, meaning it established equivalence rather than a foreign equivalent degree. The Petitioner also did not claim the Beneficiary has five or more years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience. AAO remanded for the Director to properly analyze this issue.

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The FCCPT evaluation included coursework beyond the Beneficiary's Indian master's degree, meaning it established equivalence rather than a foreign equivalent degree. The Petitioner also did not claim the Beneficiary has five or more years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience. AAO remanded for the Director to properly analyze this issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_01_B5203; source_row=24767
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner received nationally and internationally recognized awards satisfying this criterion.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner received nationally and internationally recognized awards satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_02_B2203; source_row=24768
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

The AAO declined to formally conduct the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial threshold, but noted in the alternative that the record would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.

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The AAO declined to formally conduct the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial threshold, but noted in the alternative that the record would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_02_B2203; source_row=24773
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner garnered media coverage satisfying the published material criterion.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner garnered media coverage satisfying the published material criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_02_B2203; source_row=24770
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 media

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found a 2008 article in Vogue Brasil about the Petitioner and her modeling work, along with evidence that Vogue Brasil is a major medium, sufficient to satisfy this criterion. AAO explicitly disagreed with the Director.

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AAO found a 2008 article in Vogue Brasil about the Petitioner and her modeling work, along with evidence that Vogue Brasil is a major medium, sufficient to satisfy this criterion. AAO explicitly disagreed with the Director.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_03_B2203; source_row=24775
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

The AAO found the Director mischaracterized the record (treating a nomination as a win) and inaccurately stated 'no evidence' was submitted, ignoring documentation about awarding entities and several wins; remanded for full analysis.

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The AAO found the Director mischaracterized the record (treating a nomination as a win) and inaccurately stated 'no evidence' was submitted, ignoring documentation about awarding entities and several wins; remanded for full analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_01_B2203; source_row=24762
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

high salary or other significantly high remuneration

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met the high-salary criterion based on his 2017 income and comparative salary data.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met the high-salary criterion based on his 2017 income and comparative salary data.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_01_B2203; source_row=24765
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated 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

What the decision said

The AAO could not tell whether the Director considered the RFE-response letters from company representatives, which addressed the organizations rather than just the productions, and remanded for that reason.

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The AAO could not tell whether the Director considered the RFE-response letters from company representatives, which addressed the organizations rather than just the productions, and remanded for that reason.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_01_B2203; source_row=24764
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner in professional or major trade publications or other major media

What the decision said

The AAO found the Director's analysis internally contradictory and inadequate because it referenced no specific publication among 30+ exhibits, and noted that at least some Turkish media articles such as those in Hurriyet were in fact about the Petitioner.

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The AAO found the Director's analysis internally contradictory and inadequate because it referenced no specific publication among 30+ exhibits, and noted that at least some Turkish media articles such as those in Hurriyet were in fact about the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_01_B2203; source_row=24763
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Notice of Filing Requirements

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's basis for denial was incorrect — the regulation does not require a complete description of job or degree requirements — and remanded for proper analysis of whether headquarters posting was sufficient given the itinerant nature of the position.

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AAO found the Director's basis for denial was incorrect — the regulation does not require a complete description of job or degree requirements — and remanded for proper analysis of whether headquarters posting was sufficient given the itinerant nature of the position.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-27_01_B5203; source_row=24766
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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