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 14711–14720

EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural EngineeringPhD

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner did not show membership required outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts; record lacked membership criteria documentation, and a translation was not properly certified under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3).

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Petitioner did not show membership required outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts; record lacked membership criteria documentation, and a translation was not properly certified under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_02_B2203; source_row=23898
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

AAO found the certificates show achievements 'equivalent' to awards but do not demonstrate the Petitioner actually received a prize or award. Additionally, inconsistencies between the certificates (different issuing entities, differing peak heights) and lack of corroborating evidence (e.g., bylaws, press coverage) further undermined the record.

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AAO found the certificates show achievements 'equivalent' to awards but do not demonstrate the Petitioner actually received a prize or award. Additionally, inconsistencies between the certificates (different issuing entities, differing peak heights) and lack of corroborating evidence (e.g., bylaws, press coverage) further undermined the record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=23888
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 AAO initially agreed the Petitioner met this criterion, upon full analysis AAO found the record insufficient to establish that leading three of 14 expeditions constituted a leading or critical role for the organization as a whole, because the Petitioner did not show how his role affected the organization overall or demonstrate his position within its hierarchy.

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Although AAO initially agreed the Petitioner met this criterion, upon full analysis AAO found the record insufficient to establish that leading three of 14 expeditions constituted a leading or critical role for the organization as a whole, because the Petitioner did not show how his role affected the organization overall or demonstrate his position within its hierarchy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=23892
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 membership on the national mountaineering team was based on physical fitness and mental qualities rather than outstanding achievements, and the record lacked bylaws or official admission requirements. The evaluators were not shown to be nationally or internationally recognized experts. The cited non-precedent decision was distinguishable on its facts.

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AAO found membership on the national mountaineering team was based on physical fitness and mental qualities rather than outstanding achievements, and the record lacked bylaws or official admission requirements. The evaluators were not shown to be nationally or internationally recognized experts. The cited non-precedent decision was distinguishable on its facts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=23889
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner provided no corroborating evidence beyond a single letter, such as documentation of his specific responsibilities as a national observer or identifying concrete instances of judging.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the Petitioner provided no corroborating evidence beyond a single letter, such as documentation of his specific responsibilities as a national observer or identifying concrete instances of judging.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=23891
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 agreed the Petitioner is not well positioned. New evidence largely post-dated the filing date and the reference letter did not identify research topics or significance. The record did not show frequent independent citation, impact on clinical practice, or substantial discourse in the broader medical community.

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AAO agreed the Petitioner is not well positioned. New evidence largely post-dated the filing date and the reference letter did not identify research topics or significance. The record did not show frequent independent citation, impact on clinical practice, or substantial discourse in the broader medical community.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_01_B5203; source_row=23895
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO did not revisit prong one, which the Director had found met for the research endeavor. AAO noted clinical duties did not meet prong one, focusing prong-two analysis on the research endeavor.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not revisit prong one, which the Director had found met for the research endeavor. AAO noted clinical duties did not meet prong one, focusing prong-two analysis on the research endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_01_B5203; source_row=23894
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer/labor certification requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the post-filing evidence and the reference letter were insufficient to satisfy prong three.

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AAO concluded the post-filing evidence and the reference letter were insufficient to satisfy prong three.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_01_B5203; source_row=23896
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record reflects that the Beneficiary judged the work of others by conducting reviews of professional engineering continuing education courses.

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The record reflects that the Beneficiary judged the work of others by conducting reviews of professional engineering continuing education courses.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_03_B2203; source_row=23907
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Beneficiary had published scholarly articles in the Electrical Construction & Maintenance Journal and PE Magazine, a publication of the National Society of Professional Engineers.

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AAO found the Beneficiary had published scholarly articles in the Electrical Construction & Maintenance Journal and PE Magazine, a publication of the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-30_03_B2203; source_row=23909
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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