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 14001–14010

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical16 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letter from the organization's chairman mentioned the Petitioner only in passing and did not explain how his editorial role was leading or critical for the organization. The film director's letters confirmed the Petitioner's contribution to the film but did not speak on behalf of the organization.…

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The letter from the organization's chairman mentioned the Petitioner only in passing and did not explain how his editorial role was leading or critical for the organization. The film director's letters confirmed the Petitioner's contribution to the film but did not speak on behalf of the organization. It also remained unclear whether the Petitioner was engaged directly by the organization or by some other entity, and the record lacked sufficient corroborating evidence of the organization's distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_03_B2203; source_row=24685
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical16 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Daily Times Nigeria and New Telegraph did not appear on either submitted Top 10 list. Leadership appeared on one list as #10 but the article about the Petitioner was in the print edition and no evidence showed it appeared online. Circulation figures of 55,000–65,000 could not be determined to represent major media without comparative data.…

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The Daily Times Nigeria and New Telegraph did not appear on either submitted Top 10 list. Leadership appeared on one list as #10 but the article about the Petitioner was in the print edition and no evidence showed it appeared online. Circulation figures of 55,000–65,000 could not be determined to represent major media without comparative data. Post-filing articles in Vanguard and The Sun could not be relied upon as eligibility must be established from the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_03_B2203; source_row=24682
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

Most of the new evidence post-dates the petition filing and is ineligible to establish eligibility at the time of filing. Even considered on the merits, article download counts without evidence of implementation or scholarly impact, an unsubstantiated self-compiled citation index, and invitations to peer review do not collectively show a record of success or level of field interest sufficient to establish that the Petitione…

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Most of the new evidence post-dates the petition filing and is ineligible to establish eligibility at the time of filing. Even considered on the merits, article download counts without evidence of implementation or scholarly impact, an unsubstantiated self-compiled citation index, and invitations to peer review do not collectively show a record of success or level of field interest sufficient to establish that the Petitioner is well positioned to advance his research.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_02_B5203; source_row=24679
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner holds only a U.S. baccalaureate degree (conferred May 2016) and, as of the March 2018 filing date, had not accumulated the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience to be deemed equivalent to a master's degree.

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AAO found that the Petitioner holds only a U.S. baccalaureate degree (conferred May 2016) and, as of the March 2018 filing date, had not accumulated the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience to be deemed equivalent to a master's degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_01_B5203; source_row=24665
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

Display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding that this criterion was satisfied because the Petitioner had never claimed it, submitted no relevant evidence, and on appeal offered no explanation of how any evidence supported it.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding that this criterion was satisfied because the Petitioner had never claimed it, submitted no relevant evidence, and on appeal offered no explanation of how any evidence supported it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_02_B2203; source_row=24675
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied this criterion as an athlete based on national competition wins, but noted he did not satisfy it as a coach because the 'Best Coach' certificate was ambiguous as to whether it was an award or nomination and whether it was national or merely school-level.

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AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied this criterion as an athlete based on national competition wins, but noted he did not satisfy it as a coach because the 'Best Coach' certificate was ambiguous as to whether it was an award or nomination and whether it was national or merely school-level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_02_B2203; source_row=24670
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

AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold evidentiary requirements, but noted in advisory dicta that the record does not support the required showing of acclaim.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold evidentiary requirements, but noted in advisory dicta that the record does not support the required showing of acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_02_B2203; source_row=24677
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong 3 because the Petitioner failed to meet prong 2.

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AAO did not reach prong 3 because the Petitioner failed to meet prong 2.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_02_B5203; source_row=24680
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO acknowledged that the DOE and White House documents help show substantial merit and national importance but declined to resolve this prong because prong 2 was dispositive.

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AAO acknowledged that the DOE and White House documents help show substantial merit and national importance but declined to resolve this prong because prong 2 was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_02_B5203; source_row=24678
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary's participation as a jury member at an advertising awards competition satisfies this criterion.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary's participation as a jury member at an advertising awards competition satisfies this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-11-14_05_B2203; source_row=24693
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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