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 13941–13950

NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letters described the Petitioner's employment history and workshops but did not offer specific examples of how his work was recognized as significant contributions to the financial services industry or foreign investment field.

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The recommendation letters described the Petitioner's employment history and workshops but did not offer specific examples of how his work was recognized as significant contributions to the financial services industry or foreign investment field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-26_01_B5203; source_row=24747
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record showing degree (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Certificate in Business Management from the university meets criterion (A).

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AAO found that the Certificate in Business Management from the university meets criterion (A).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-26_01_B5203; source_row=24745
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer and labor certification

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO declined to reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-26_01_B5203; source_row=24750
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

letters from employer(s) showing at least ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the employer letters meet criterion (B).

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AAO found that the employer letters meet criterion (B).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-26_01_B5203; source_row=24746
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong two because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO declined to reach prong two because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-26_01_B5203; source_row=24749
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion, noting he provided evidence of serving as an adjudicator at the 15th Annual Terrier Dancesport Competition.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion, noting he provided evidence of serving as an adjudicator at the 15th Annual Terrier Dancesport Competition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-26_03_B2203; source_row=24758
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted in dicta the record does not support the required acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted in dicta the record does not support the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-26_03_B2203; source_row=24761
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's media coverage was overwhelmingly local and project-specific, his judging activity did not indicate placement at the top of the field, and his film and festival work involved comparatively minor supporting roles without national or international focus of attention. The Petitioner's satisfaction of the criteria owed more to the nature of his occupation than to his own level of acclaim.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's media coverage was overwhelmingly local and project-specific, his judging activity did not indicate placement at the top of the field, and his film and festival work involved comparatively minor supporting roles without national or international focus of attention. The Petitioner's satisfaction of the criteria owed more to the nature of his occupation than to his own level of acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-21_03_B2203; source_row=24730
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 or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the criterion was not met. The cited non-precedent decisions had no precedential weight and predated binding USCIS policy guidance. The evidence did not objectively demonstrate that the Petitioner held a position of leadership or a critical role of significant importance to the outcome of any organization's activities.…

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed the criterion was not met. The cited non-precedent decisions had no precedential weight and predated binding USCIS policy guidance. The evidence did not objectively demonstrate that the Petitioner held a position of leadership or a critical role of significant importance to the outcome of any organization's activities. The productions in which the Petitioner played leading or critical roles also did not have distinguished reputations beyond transitory local press coverage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-21_03_B2203; source_row=24729
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

Most of the claimed honors were either prizes awarded to overall productions (not to the Petitioner personally), nominations received by others, or a designation rather than a prize. The one award the Petitioner personally received — a BroadwayWorld Regional Award — was described as 'regional' by the awarding entity itself and was not established to be nationally or internationally recognized.

Why this is useful

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Most of the claimed honors were either prizes awarded to overall productions (not to the Petitioner personally), nominations received by others, or a designation rather than a prize. The one award the Petitioner personally received — a BroadwayWorld Regional Award — was described as 'regional' by the awarding entity itself and was not established to be nationally or internationally recognized.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-21_03_B2203; source_row=24725
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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