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 14631–14640

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via net income and net current assets

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's 2017 net income was only $13,221 (per Schedule K line 18, not the higher ordinary business income figure), and its net current assets were negative ($-14,040), so neither figure was sufficient to cover the $32,113 shortfall between the proffered wage and the Beneficiary's 2017 wages.

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The Petitioner's 2017 net income was only $13,221 (per Schedule K line 18, not the higher ordinary business income figure), and its net current assets were negative ($-14,040), so neither figure was sufficient to cover the $32,113 shortfall between the proffered wage and the Beneficiary's 2017 wages.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-16_02_B5203; source_row=23993
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via totality of circumstances (Sonegawa)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's tax returns contradicted its claim of recovering from a one-time income dip; gross receipts actually declined in 2017. Bank statements show account balances, not sustainable ability to pay, and the Petitioner failed to explain why its tax return painted an inaccurate picture.…

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The Petitioner's tax returns contradicted its claim of recovering from a one-time income dip; gross receipts actually declined in 2017. Bank statements show account balances, not sustainable ability to pay, and the Petitioner failed to explain why its tax return painted an inaccurate picture. The owner's stated willingness to forego officer's compensation was based on an erroneous calculation significantly underestimating the true shortfall, so it did not establish actual willingness to forego the necessary amount.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-16_02_B5203; source_row=23994
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via wages paid to beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Beneficiary received only $48,300 in 2017, the priority year, which was below the proffered wage of $80,413, so wages-paid alone do not establish continuing ability to pay from the priority date onward.

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The Beneficiary received only $48,300 in 2017, the priority year, which was below the proffered wage of $80,413, so wages-paid alone do not establish continuing ability to pay from the priority date onward.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-16_02_B5203; source_row=23992
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The network executive's letter did not explain or support how the award is recognized for its national standing, and the Petitioner failed to provide independent, objective evidence of the awards' national or international recognition for excellence in the field.

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The network executive's letter did not explain or support how the award is recognized for its national standing, and the Petitioner failed to provide independent, objective evidence of the awards' national or international recognition for excellence in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-15_01_B2203; source_row=23982
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

artistic display

Why the evidence was persuasive

On the prior appeal (referenced here for procedural history), AAO determined the Petitioner fulfilled the artistic display criterion. This finding is not disturbed on the motion.

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

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On the prior appeal (referenced here for procedural history), AAO determined the Petitioner fulfilled the artistic display criterion. This finding is not disturbed on the motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-15_01_B2203; source_row=23984
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

On the prior appeal (referenced here for procedural history), AAO determined the Petitioner fulfilled the judging criterion. This finding is not disturbed on the motion.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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On the prior appeal (referenced here for procedural history), AAO determined the Petitioner fulfilled the judging criterion. This finding is not disturbed on the motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-15_01_B2203; source_row=23983
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 about the individual in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

Online evidence lacked original text, making translations unverifiable. Video translations were not matched to specific videos. Wikipedia articles about Shant TV and Vitamin Club were accorded no evidentiary weight, and even if credited, were insufficient to establish those outlets as major trade or major media.

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Online evidence lacked original text, making translations unverifiable. Video translations were not matched to specific videos. Wikipedia articles about Shant TV and Vitamin Club were accorded no evidentiary weight, and even if credited, were insufficient to establish those outlets as major trade or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=23973
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

The certificates and photographs submitted lacked supporting evidence of the awards' status as major, internationally recognized awards. One certificate lacked a properly certified translation. The awards did not approach the level of globally recognized awards like the Nobel Prize or Olympic Medal.

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The certificates and photographs submitted lacked supporting evidence of the awards' status as major, internationally recognized awards. One certificate lacked a properly certified translation. The awards did not approach the level of globally recognized awards like the Nobel Prize or Olympic Medal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=23970
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 in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The manuals were described as intended for beginning athletes and referees, not advanced scholarly information for those with profound knowledge in the field. The letter from the publisher lacked the signer's title and company information. The record did not include the manuals' contents or English translations to assess their scholarly nature.

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 manuals were described as intended for beginning athletes and referees, not advanced scholarly information for those with profound knowledge in the field. The letter from the publisher lacked the signer's title and company information. The record did not include the manuals' contents or English translations to assess their scholarly nature.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=23976
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

Original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

Letters about coached athletes lacked verifiable evidence of claimed awards and the Petitioner submitted no evidence of his training or qualifications as a coach. Even if coaching two nationally successful athletes, this did not amount to an original contribution of major significance. The manuals lacked evidence of originality and their impact was not supported by independent corroborating evidence.

Why this is useful

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

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Letters about coached athletes lacked verifiable evidence of claimed awards and the Petitioner submitted no evidence of his training or qualifications as a coach. Even if coaching two nationally successful athletes, this did not amount to an original contribution of major significance. The manuals lacked evidence of originality and their impact was not supported by independent corroborating evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=23975
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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