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 14831–14840

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay combined proffered wages for all I-140 beneficiaries

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's chart of 25 petitions was incomplete—USCIS records showed 59 I-140 petitions in 2017 alone—and omitted EB-2 petitions for physical therapists with higher wages. No petition status information was provided, making total obligation incalculable. Bank statements are not among the three enumerated types of evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2) and cannot demonstrate sustainable ability to pay.…

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The Petitioner's chart of 25 petitions was incomplete—USCIS records showed 59 I-140 petitions in 2017 alone—and omitted EB-2 petitions for physical therapists with higher wages. No petition status information was provided, making total obligation incalculable. Bank statements are not among the three enumerated types of evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2) and cannot demonstrate sustainable ability to pay. Future earnings projections are impermissible under Matter of Great Wall.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-02_01_B5203; source_row=23773
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wage to primary Beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The paystubs show payment at $62,400 annually, which is below the offered wage of $70,616, and do not cover the period from September 15, 2017 through July 1, 2018. The Petitioner has not established it paid the Beneficiary at least the offered wage since the priority date.

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The paystubs show payment at $62,400 annually, which is below the offered wage of $70,616, and do not cover the period from September 15, 2017 through July 1, 2018. The Petitioner has not established it paid the Beneficiary at least the offered wage since the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-02_01_B5203; source_row=23772
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded the Petitioner demonstrated sustained national/international acclaim and is among the small percentage at the very top of fashion modeling.

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AAO concluded the Petitioner demonstrated sustained national/international acclaim and is among the small percentage at the very top of fashion modeling.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-02_02_B2203; source_row=23777
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner displayed her work at various fashion shows and exhibits, satisfying the artistic display criterion.

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AAO found that the Petitioner displayed her work at various fashion shows and exhibits, satisfying the artistic display criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-02_02_B2203; source_row=23776
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

Why the evidence was persuasive

Major media featured the Petitioner in their publications.

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Major media featured the Petitioner in their publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-02_02_B2203; source_row=23774
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why the evidence was persuasive

Petitioner commands a high salary in her field.

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Petitioner commands a high salary in her field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-04-02_02_B2203; source_row=23775
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

labor certification supports advanced degree professional classification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reaffirmed that the labor certification's requirements control and that a bachelor's degree plus one year of experience does not meet the regulatory definition of an advanced degree.

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AAO reaffirmed that the labor certification's requirements control and that a bachelor's degree plus one year of experience does not meet the regulatory definition of an advanced degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-03-28_01_B5203; source_row=23765
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary's qualifying experience under labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO cited 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) as the controlling authority requiring employer letters and found no corroborating evidence of the claimed prior employment was submitted.

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AAO cited 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) as the controlling authority requiring employer letters and found no corroborating evidence of the claimed prior employment was submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-03-28_01_B5203; source_row=23766
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the limited time devoted to research and lack of specificity about research projects rendered the research endeavor insufficient for the first prong. As to clinical and teaching duties, while they have substantial merit, the record did not establish that they would impact the broader fields of diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, or the U.S. healthcare industry beyond the patients served and trainees taught.

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AAO agreed that the limited time devoted to research and lack of specificity about research projects rendered the research endeavor insufficient for the first prong. As to clinical and teaching duties, while they have substantial merit, the record did not establish that they would impact the broader fields of diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, or the U.S. healthcare industry beyond the patients served and trainees taught.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-03-27_01_B5203; source_row=23757
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

Even assuming the research endeavor met prong one, the Petitioner failed to demonstrate she is well positioned to advance it. Her citation record lacked comparative context, article downloads did not demonstrate that her research was implemented or generated substantial interest, and she did not show her work had affected clinical practice or served as an impetus for progress in the field.

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Even assuming the research endeavor met prong one, the Petitioner failed to demonstrate she is well positioned to advance it. Her citation record lacked comparative context, article downloads did not demonstrate that her research was implemented or generated substantial interest, and she did not show her work had affected clinical practice or served as an impetus for progress in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-03-27_01_B5203; source_row=23758
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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