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.
Ability to pay proffered wage from priority date forward
Why AAO was not persuaded
No required documentary evidence (annual reports, tax returns, or audited financial statements) was submitted for 2017. The payroll record showed only a two-week snapshot, insufficient to establish annual ability to pay, and the W-2 confirmed total 2017 wages were actually below the proffered wage. Without regulatory required evidence, Sonegawa factors could not compensate.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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No required documentary evidence (annual reports, tax returns, or audited financial statements) was submitted for 2017. The payroll record showed only a two-week snapshot, insufficient to establish annual ability to pay, and the W-2 confirmed total 2017 wages were actually below the proffered wage. Without regulatory required evidence, Sonegawa factors could not compensate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-10_01_B5203; source_row=23474 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Beneficiary meets minimum educational requirements of offered position
Why AAO was not persuaded
Both submitted evaluations were deficient in different respects and both conflicted with EDGE's classification of the civilingenjorsexamen as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. Additional coursework was unassessed and could not be combined to satisfy the single-degree requirement.
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Both submitted evaluations were deficient in different respects and both conflicted with EDGE's classification of the civilingenjorsexamen as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. Additional coursework was unassessed and could not be combined to satisfy the single-degree requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-10_01_B5203; source_row=23473 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Environment / Energy
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
Citation counts and high-impact journal publication did not establish major significance; recommendation letters were conclusory and did not explain how the work influenced the field; UN report inclusion did not show major significance.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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Citation counts and high-impact journal publication did not establish major significance; recommendation letters were conclusory and did not explain how the work influenced the field; UN report inclusion did not show major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-09_01_B2203; source_row=23469 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Why AAO was not persuaded
The articles were not about the Petitioner but about his work, and he did not submit circulation data or other corroborating evidence to show SciDev.Net qualifies as major media.
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The articles were not about the Petitioner but about his work, and he did not submit circulation data or other corroborating evidence to show SciDev.Net qualifies as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-09_01_B2203; source_row=23467 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why AAO was not persuaded
The student prize and competitive fellowships/grants were limited to students rather than open to established professionals, and Petitioner did not show they constitute nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field.
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The student prize and competitive fellowships/grants were limited to students rather than open to established professionals, and Petitioner did not show they constitute nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-09_01_B2203; source_row=23465 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
Petitioner did not document his actual membership, the listed requirements (doctoral degree and five years experience) are not 'outstanding achievements,' and the second advisory role post-dated the filing date.
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Petitioner did not document his actual membership, the listed requirements (doctoral degree and five years experience) are not 'outstanding achievements,' and the second advisory role post-dated the filing date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-09_01_B2203; source_row=23466 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for distinguished organizations
Why AAO was not persuaded
Petitioner did not document the advisory roles or distinguish his role from other advisors, the second role post-dated filing, and conferences/research/book projects are not 'organizations or establishments' 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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Petitioner did not document the advisory roles or distinguish his role from other advisors, the second role post-dated filing, and conferences/research/book projects are not 'organizations or establishments' under the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-09_01_B2203; source_row=23471 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c