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 14181–14190

EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the Petitioner demonstrated that the album sold 20,000 copies, she did not show the significance of those figures relative to others in similar pursuits or establish that such sales qualify as a commercial success in the Philippines.

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Although the Petitioner demonstrated that the album sold 20,000 copies, she did not show the significance of those figures relative to others in similar pursuits or establish that such sales qualify as a commercial success in the Philippines.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_02_B2203; source_row=24469
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not demonstrate that the record company's award is nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field of endeavor as required by the criterion.

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The Petitioner did not demonstrate that the record company's award is nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field of endeavor as required by the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_02_B2203; source_row=24463
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the Petitioner demonstrated leading roles with some bands, she failed to establish that those bands enjoy distinguished reputations. For other bands and the recording company, she did not show a leading or critical role or a distinguished reputation.

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Although the Petitioner demonstrated leading roles with some bands, she failed to establish that those bands enjoy distinguished reputations. For other bands and the recording company, she did not show a leading or critical role or a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_02_B2203; source_row=24468
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the letters of support insufficient to show a leading or critical role because they did not adequately explain how the Petitioner influenced the orchestra's overall reputation or standing, did not address his position in the organizational hierarchy, and the orchestra's distinguished reputation was not corroborated.…

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AAO found the letters of support insufficient to show a leading or critical role because they did not adequately explain how the Petitioner influenced the orchestra's overall reputation or standing, did not address his position in the organizational hierarchy, and the orchestra's distinguished reputation was not corroborated. Additionally, inconsistencies in the record about the years the Petitioner performed were not resolved.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_03_B2203; source_row=24475
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the NSOG data covered an overly broad category of entertainment occupations and did not provide an appropriate basis for comparison with others performing similar services as a music arranger or trombone player, so the Petitioner failed to show his compensation constituted a high salary relative to others in the field.

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AAO found that the NSOG data covered an overly broad category of entertainment occupations and did not provide an appropriate basis for comparison with others performing similar services as a music arranger or trombone player, so the Petitioner failed to show his compensation constituted a high salary relative to others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_03_B2203; source_row=24476
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim or that the Beneficiary stands among the small percentage at the very top of the field. Press coverage was limited and dated; judging experience was not shown to set her apart; publication record was modest with citations not shown to be commensurate with top-field status; awards were student-level financial grants; and recommendatio…

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The AAO found the evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim or that the Beneficiary stands among the small percentage at the very top of the field. Press coverage was limited and dated; judging experience was not shown to set her apart; publication record was modest with citations not shown to be commensurate with top-field status; awards were student-level financial grants; and recommendation letters reflected solicited opinions rather than field-wide recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_01_B2203; source_row=24458
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

AAO found that while the Petitioner conducted, published, and presented research, he had not shown sufficient citation by independent scientists, adoption of his methods beyond a single company, or substantial interest from the broader environmental health community to demonstrate he is well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor.

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AAO found that while the Petitioner conducted, published, and presented research, he had not shown sufficient citation by independent scientists, adoption of his methods beyond a single company, or substantial interest from the broader environmental health community to demonstrate he is well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_01_B5203; source_row=24461
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty24 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO disagreed with the Director's exclusion of competitive athletic awards but nonetheless found the criterion not met. The 2017 gold medal lacked corroborating evidence of national or international recognition (no media coverage, no competitor information, no event details). One letter indicated the medal was awarded 'as a token of appreciation' for serving as a judge rather than as a competitive achievement.…

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The AAO disagreed with the Director's exclusion of competitive athletic awards but nonetheless found the criterion not met. The 2017 gold medal lacked corroborating evidence of national or international recognition (no media coverage, no competitor information, no event details). One letter indicated the medal was awarded 'as a token of appreciation' for serving as a judge rather than as a competitive achievement. WUMA rank certificates do not constitute prizes or awards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_04_B2203; source_row=24481
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty24 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

Even setting aside the translation deficiency, the submitted articles do not satisfy the criterion. None of the 24 articles are about the Petitioner — they mention him briefly in passing. None identify the author of the material as required by the regulations, and none demonstrate that the newspapers are professional or major trade publications.

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Even setting aside the translation deficiency, the submitted articles do not satisfy the criterion. None of the 24 articles are about the Petitioner — they mention him briefly in passing. None identify the author of the material as required by the regulations, and none demonstrate that the newspapers are professional or major trade publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_04_B2203; source_row=24483
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty24 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's memberships and officer roles were not accompanied by evidence that the associations require outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. The Kyokushin Karate Association membership and WMAC honorary membership were post-filing and could not establish eligibility at the time of filing.…

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The Petitioner's memberships and officer roles were not accompanied by evidence that the associations require outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. The Kyokushin Karate Association membership and WMAC honorary membership were post-filing and could not establish eligibility at the time of filing. The Goju-Kai honorary membership lacked independent evidence that membership qualifications are judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_04_B2203; source_row=24482
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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