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.
AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding that the Petitioner failed to show that any of the three claimed awards were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field.…
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding that the Petitioner failed to show that any of the three claimed awards were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field. Nearly half of all entries received the 'Award of Excellence,' the 'Best Show Finalist' certificate was not shown to be a nationally or internationally recognized prize, and third place at the expo was not established as tantamount to a prize 'for excellence.'
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-29_02_B2203; source_row=24587 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The supporting letter from the association chairman merely repeated the regulatory language without pointing to any governing authority or documentary evidence such as bylaws establishing that membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by recognized experts. Additional letters confirmed membership but did not address membership requirements or the role of recognized experts.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The supporting letter from the association chairman merely repeated the regulatory language without pointing to any governing authority or documentary evidence such as bylaws establishing that membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by recognized experts. Additional letters confirmed membership but did not address membership requirements or the role of recognized experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-29_02_B2203; source_row=24588 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Biomedical / Life SciencesResearch Scientist60 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Leading / critical role
leading or critical role for distinguished organizations
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO addressed this in the final merits determination, finding that while the Petitioner played important roles at his employers, the record did not show how his successes resulted in widespread acclaim in the broader field beyond those organizations.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO addressed this in the final merits determination, finding that while the Petitioner played important roles at his employers, the record did not show how his successes resulted in widespread acclaim in the broader field beyond those organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-29_03_B2203; source_row=24598 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Biomedical / Life SciencesResearch Scientist60 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material about the individual
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found the 2016 American Scientist article satisfied the criterion because it interviewed the Petitioner about his work, constituting published material about the individual. AAO rejected the other submitted articles as not being about the Petitioner or not in qualifying major media.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found the 2016 American Scientist article satisfied the criterion because it interviewed the Petitioner about his work, constituting published material about the individual. AAO rejected the other submitted articles as not being about the Petitioner or not in qualifying major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-29_03_B2203; source_row=24594 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Computer Science / AI
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer requirement
What the decision said
AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the second prong, rendering further discussion of the balancing factors unnecessary.
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
View full reasoning +
AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the second prong, rendering further discussion of the balancing factors unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-29_01_B5203; source_row=24586 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Computer Science / AI
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial merit and national importance
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found that the Petitioner's research on improving wireless network security has substantial merit, and that documentation of the DHS cybersecurity study and dissemination of results through journals and conferences establishes national importance. AAO noted that the Petitioner's proposed teaching duties do not meet the national importance element, but the research component does.
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
View full reasoning +
AAO found that the Petitioner's research on improving wireless network security has substantial merit, and that documentation of the DHS cybersecurity study and dissemination of results through journals and conferences establishes national importance. AAO noted that the Petitioner's proposed teaching duties do not meet the national importance element, but the research component does.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-29_01_B5203; source_row=24584 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The Petitioner authored an article published in the professional publication West Leather; AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was fulfilled.
Why this is useful
See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.
View full reasoning +
The Petitioner authored an article published in the professional publication West Leather; AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was fulfilled.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-29_01_B2203; source_row=24579 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c