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 14511–14520

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree equivalency (bachelor's plus 5 years progressive experience)

Why the evidence was persuasive

The new certificates specify duties and time allocations sufficient to establish 5+ years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in biomedical materials engineering and alloy development.

Why this is useful

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The new certificates specify duties and time allocations sufficient to establish 5+ years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in biomedical materials engineering and alloy development.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-25_02_B5203; source_row=24136
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO held that the Dhanasar prong analysis is separate from EB-2 classification eligibility, and remanded for proper analysis under prong two.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO held that the Dhanasar prong analysis is separate from EB-2 classification eligibility, and remanded for proper analysis under prong two.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-25_02_B5203; source_row=24138
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 with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found this criterion was not met for three claimed roles: the first organization's documentation related to events post-dating the petition filing; the second organization's letter did not show how the Petitioner's role was leading or critical to the overall organization; and while the Petitioner had a leading role at her own dance company, she failed to demonstrate that the company had a distinguished reputation.

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

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AAO found this criterion was not met for three claimed roles: the first organization's documentation related to events post-dating the petition filing; the second organization's letter did not show how the Petitioner's role was leading or critical to the overall organization; and while the Petitioner had a leading role at her own dance company, she failed to demonstrate that the company had a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-18_03_B2203; source_row=24122
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

AAO overturned the Director's finding because the awards were won by the Petitioner's students or dance studios, not by the Petitioner herself. Additionally, the evidence did not demonstrate that the awards were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field.

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AAO overturned the Director's finding because the awards were won by the Petitioner's students or dance studios, not by the Petitioner herself. Additionally, the evidence did not demonstrate that the awards were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-18_03_B2203; source_row=24119
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner did not challenge the Director's conclusion on appeal, and AAO agreed the evidence does not establish original contributions of major significance.

Why this is useful

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

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Petitioner did not challenge the Director's conclusion on appeal, and AAO agreed the evidence does not establish original contributions of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-18_02_B2203; source_row=24114
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

While AAO found the organization's distinguished reputation established, the supervisor letters did not sufficiently demonstrate the importance of the Petitioner's contributions to the company's overall activities — the impact of his training, the importance of his R2R solution to one product within the company's overall portfolio, and his machine learning research had not yet made important contributions.

Why this is useful

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While AAO found the organization's distinguished reputation established, the supervisor letters did not sufficiently demonstrate the importance of the Petitioner's contributions to the company's overall activities — the impact of his training, the importance of his R2R solution to one product within the company's overall portfolio, and his machine learning research had not yet made important contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-18_02_B2203; source_row=24116
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

Articles announcing the contest pre-date judging and Petitioner did not submit follow-up evidence confirming he actually participated in the judging.

Why this is useful

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Articles announcing the contest pre-date judging and Petitioner did not submit follow-up evidence confirming he actually participated in the judging.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-18_01_B2203; source_row=24107
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recipe book does not constitute a scholarly article in a professional or major trade publication or major media.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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The recipe book does not constitute a scholarly article in a professional or major trade publication or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-18_01_B2203; source_row=24109
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 submitted articles and social media materials do not even mention the Petitioner's receipt of the award and do not establish national or international recognition of the award in the culinary field.

Why this is useful

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

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The submitted articles and social media materials do not even mention the Petitioner's receipt of the award and do not establish national or international recognition of the award in the culinary field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-18_01_B2203; source_row=24104
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner did not show he was a member at time of filing, and regardless did not show the association requires outstanding achievements 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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Petitioner did not show he was a member at time of filing, and regardless did not show the association requires outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-06-18_01_B2203; source_row=24105
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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