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.
Beneficiary meets minimum experience requirements of offered position
Why AAO was not persuaded
The former employer letter failed to include a specific description of duties as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1). Public records showed the LLC's existence was cancelled in August 2012, undermining the claimed employment through December 2014 and casting doubt on the letter's validity.
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The former employer letter failed to include a specific description of duties as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1). Public records showed the LLC's existence was cancelled in August 2012, undermining the claimed employment through December 2014 and casting doubt on the letter's validity.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-06_01_B5203; source_row=24379 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found that wages paid fell short of the proffered wage in both 2017 and 2018, and while 2018 was satisfied by net income/net current assets, the 2017 shortfall was not covered. Combining net income and net current assets is improper because they measure assets over different time frames and would double-count certain assets.…
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Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO found that wages paid fell short of the proffered wage in both 2017 and 2018, and while 2018 was satisfied by net income/net current assets, the 2017 shortfall was not covered. Combining net income and net current assets is improper because they measure assets over different time frames and would double-count certain assets. The Sonegawa totality-of-circumstances factors — business longevity, size, industry reputation, uncharacteristic losses — did not tip the balance in the Petitioner's favor given declining revenues and small operations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-06_01_B5203; source_row=24378 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO held that satisfying the awards criterion does not bootstrap the contributions criterion, that the analysis is independent, and that previously submitted reference letters lacked sufficient detail and documentary support to show major significance; new letters submitted on motion could not be considered.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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AAO held that satisfying the awards criterion does not bootstrap the contributions criterion, that the analysis is independent, and that previously submitted reference letters lacked sufficient detail and documentary support to show major significance; new letters submitted on motion could not be considered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-05_01_B2203; source_row=24376 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO held that exclusivity alone, which can be based on factors like education or experience, does not satisfy the criterion, and the evidence did not show that members are required in all cases to be selected based on outstanding achievements.
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AAO held that exclusivity alone, which can be based on factors like education or experience, does not satisfy the criterion, and the evidence did not show that members are required in all cases to be selected based on outstanding achievements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-05_01_B2203; source_row=24375 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO held that title alone is insufficient and that the evidence showed leadership only of a single committee/commission, not of the broader organization itself.
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AAO held that title alone is insufficient and that the evidence showed leadership only of a single committee/commission, not of the broader organization itself.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-05_01_B2203; source_row=24377 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The record did not include wage statistics or other evidence showing that the Petitioner's earnings were high relative to other computer systems engineers.
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The record did not include wage statistics or other evidence showing that the Petitioner's earnings were high relative to other computer systems engineers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-03_02_B2203; source_row=24360 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established
Case facts
Computer Science / AI
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Leading / critical role
Leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner did not establish where her positions fit in the organizational hierarchy, the letters did not show her roles were leading or critical for the organizations overall, and she did not demonstrate that the organizations had a distinguished reputation.
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The Petitioner did not establish where her positions fit in the organizational hierarchy, the letters did not show her roles were leading or critical for the organizations overall, and she did not demonstrate that the organizations had a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-03_02_B2203; source_row=24359 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Computer Science / AI
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
Original contributions of major significance in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
The employer letters lacked sufficient detail explaining how the Petitioner's contributions were of major significance to the field at large, rather than just to her employers, and the record lacked corroborating documentation.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The employer letters lacked sufficient detail explaining how the Petitioner's contributions were of major significance to the field at large, rather than just to her employers, and the record lacked corroborating documentation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-03_02_B2203; source_row=24357 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Cisco certification represented completion of training rather than membership based on outstanding achievements; the church membership was not shown to require outstanding achievements in computer systems engineering; and the IEEE affiliate membership post-dated the filing of the petition.
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The Cisco certification represented completion of training rather than membership based on outstanding achievements; the church membership was not shown to require outstanding achievements in computer systems engineering; and the IEEE affiliate membership post-dated the filing of the petition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-03_02_B2203; source_row=24355 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c