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 14991–15000

NIWlicense or certificationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license or certification to practice the profession

Why the evidence was persuasive

Although the state tax consultant licenses postdate the filing, the October 2015 IRS enrolled agent credential predates filing and satisfies the criterion.

Why this is useful

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Although the state tax consultant licenses postdate the filing, the October 2015 IRS enrolled agent credential predates filing and satisfies the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-11_01_B5203; source_row=23584
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

Even assuming contenders came from different parts of the world, the Petitioner did not present evidence that the prizes are recognized in the field on a national or international level, such as media coverage of the awards or confirmation that the honors are accepted in the field as national or international recognition for excellence.

Why this is useful

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

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Even assuming contenders came from different parts of the world, the Petitioner did not present evidence that the prizes are recognized in the field on a national or international level, such as media coverage of the awards or confirmation that the honors are accepted in the field as national or international recognition for excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=23573
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or other significantly high remuneration for services

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacks comparative compensation data in the field, and the Petitioner's immigration status is irrelevant to the criterion; he failed to establish that his salary or remuneration is qualifying under the regulation.

Why this is useful

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

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The record lacks comparative compensation data in the field, and the Petitioner's immigration status is irrelevant to the criterion; he failed to establish that his salary or remuneration is qualifying under the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=23576
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO reviewed the record in its entirety and found it does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO reviewed the record in its entirety and found it does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=23577
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

Project spec books were created for clients and not intended as artistic displays; social media accounts are not artistic exhibitions or showcases; completed buildings on public streets are not displays at artistic exhibitions or showcases. Qualifying displays would be those held at galleries, museums, or other artistic venues.

Why this is useful

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

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Project spec books were created for clients and not intended as artistic displays; social media accounts are not artistic exhibitions or showcases; completed buildings on public streets are not displays at artistic exhibitions or showcases. Qualifying displays would be those held at galleries, museums, or other artistic venues.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=23575
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Materials Science14 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO conducted an abbreviated final merits review and found the record insufficient to show the petitioner has risen to the very top of the field, noting his accomplishments reflect a researcher progressing toward the top rather than one already at the top.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO conducted an abbreviated final merits review and found the record insufficient to show the petitioner has risen to the very top of the field, noting his accomplishments reflect a researcher progressing toward the top rather than one already at the top.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-07_02_B2203; source_row=23581
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Materials Science14 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's citation counts and reference letters did not establish that his work had been widely accepted, broadly implemented, or had remarkably influenced the field of materials science. Most citing articles only briefly referenced his work among many others, and reference letters lacked sufficient specificity to show major significance beyond incremental contributions.

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 citation counts and reference letters did not establish that his work had been widely accepted, broadly implemented, or had remarkably influenced the field of materials science. Most citing articles only briefly referenced his work among many others, and reference letters lacked sufficient specificity to show major significance beyond incremental contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-07_02_B2203; source_row=23580
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Materials Science14 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner presented documentation from professional publications confirming he served as a reviewer and reviewed manuscripts in 2016 and 2017, satisfying the judging criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner presented documentation from professional publications confirming he served as a reviewer and reviewed manuscripts in 2016 and 2017, satisfying the judging criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-07_02_B2203; source_row=23578
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Materials Science14 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner authored scholarly articles published in professional journals including Energy & Environmental Science and ACS Nano, satisfying the scholarly articles criterion.

Why this is useful

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The petitioner authored scholarly articles published in professional journals including Energy & Environmental Science and ACS Nano, satisfying the scholarly articles criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-07_02_B2203; source_row=23579
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

The invitation letters did not show actual participation as a judge, and one event's subject matter was unidentified. The 'Outstanding Young Achievers' event did not establish that the Petitioner's involvement entailed judging others' work.

Why this is useful

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

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The invitation letters did not show actual participation as a judge, and one event's subject matter was unidentified. The 'Outstanding Young Achievers' event did not establish that the Petitioner's involvement entailed judging others' work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=23559
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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