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 14361–14370

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the 2012 tax return showed sufficient excess revenue but the 2013 profit-and-loss statement was not an audited financial statement, leaving the record without required evidence of ability to pay for 2013. The matter was remanded for a new NOIR on this issue.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO found the 2012 tax return showed sufficient excess revenue but the 2013 profit-and-loss statement was not an audited financial statement, leaving the record without required evidence of ability to pay for 2013. The matter was remanded for a new NOIR on this issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-12_01_B5203; source_row=24299
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Environment / Energy12 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's citations (12 on ResearchGate, 23 on Google Scholar) are modest and her work was used as background information rather than being singled out as particularly important. Journal rankings, invited presentations, and recommendation letters do not themselves demonstrate that contributions were of major significance in the field absent evidence of actual impact.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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The Petitioner's citations (12 on ResearchGate, 23 on Google Scholar) are modest and her work was used as background information rather than being singled out as particularly important. Journal rankings, invited presentations, and recommendation letters do not themselves demonstrate that contributions were of major significance in the field absent evidence of actual impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-07_02_B2203; source_row=24283
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The evidence shows the Beneficiary might have potential to impact the field, but does not confirm he has already made original contributions of major significance in the field.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

View full reasoning +
The evidence shows the Beneficiary might have potential to impact the field, but does not confirm he has already made original contributions of major significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-07_03_B2203; source_row=24289
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that the Beneficiary is among the small percentage at the very top of the field. The petition seeks a highly restrictive classification intended for those already at the top, not those progressing toward the top.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that the Beneficiary is among the small percentage at the very top of the field. The petition seeks a highly restrictive classification intended for those already at the top, not those progressing toward the top.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-07_03_B2203; source_row=24292
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner submitted membership evidence but failed to show the associations require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The petitioner submitted membership evidence but failed to show the associations require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-07_03_B2203; source_row=24287
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

Most of the salary evidence covers physicians and surgeons generally rather than surgeons in the Beneficiary's specific specialty. The remaining indeed.com data covers average rather than high salaries and is based on self-reported figures of uncertain accuracy, failing to establish a proper basis for comparison.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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Most of the salary evidence covers physicians and surgeons generally rather than surgeons in the Beneficiary's specific specialty. The remaining indeed.com data covers average rather than high salaries and is based on self-reported figures of uncertain accuracy, failing to establish a proper basis for comparison.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-07_03_B2203; source_row=24291
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

While the Petitioner established he played a critical role in his ensembles, the record did not contain sufficient documentation showing those groups have a distinguished reputation. The recommendation letters lacked detailed and probative information about the impact of his role at the university jazz department.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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While the Petitioner established he played a critical role in his ensembles, the record did not contain sufficient documentation showing those groups have a distinguished reputation. The recommendation letters lacked detailed and probative information about the impact of his role at the university jazz department.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-07_01_B2203; source_row=24275
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

The record did not establish that a third place prize at the competition is nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field, and the 2004 second prize lacked evidence of media attention or national/international recognition.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The record did not establish that a third place prize at the competition is nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field, and the 2004 second prize lacked evidence of media attention or national/international recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-07_01_B2203; source_row=24271
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

On de novo review, AAO found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate the publications qualify as major media, several articles lacked required author information or were not specifically about the Petitioner, and the Similar Web traffic data was not explained in terms of major media significance.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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On de novo review, AAO found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate the publications qualify as major media, several articles lacked required author information or were not specifically about the Petitioner, and the Similar Web traffic data was not explained in terms of major media significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-07_01_B2203; source_row=24272
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record did not demonstrate the criteria used in extending the board invitation or that board membership required outstanding achievements as determined by national or international experts. PIANC's own website showed open membership to governments, corporations, and interested individuals, without requiring outstanding achievements judged by experts.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
AAO found the record did not demonstrate the criteria used in extending the board invitation or that board membership required outstanding achievements as determined by national or international experts. PIANC's own website showed open membership to governments, corporations, and interested individuals, without requiring outstanding achievements judged by experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-08-07_04_B2203; source_row=24293
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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