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 15321–15330

NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's CER research endeavor has substantial merit and national importance, noting publications disseminating valuable information and evidence of national-level impact.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's CER research endeavor has substantial merit and national importance, noting publications disseminating valuable information and evidence of national-level impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-29_01_B5203; source_row=23202
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 in major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found deficiencies in author identification across multiple transcriptions, including missing authors and inconsistent attribution of the same interview to different authors on different websites. AAO also found the Petitioner did not demonstrate that the websites constituted major media.

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AAO found deficiencies in author identification across multiple transcriptions, including missing authors and inconsistent attribution of the same interview to different authors on different websites. AAO also found the Petitioner did not demonstrate that the websites constituted major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-25_01_B2203; source_row=23196
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 significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the hourly FLC comparison was inapposite because the Petitioner was paid a project rate, not an hourly rate, and she did not provide evidence comparing her project wages to others in her field. Moreover, her total earnings of $16,000 were below even entry-level annual salaries for choreographers in her area.

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AAO found that the hourly FLC comparison was inapposite because the Petitioner was paid a project rate, not an hourly rate, and she did not provide evidence comparing her project wages to others in her field. Moreover, her total earnings of $16,000 were below even entry-level annual salaries for choreographers in her area.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-25_01_B2203; source_row=23200
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in qualifying associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner did not show why she could not offer evidence meeting at least three of the standard criteria, and failed to demonstrate that auditioning for TV shows is truly comparable to association membership requiring outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts. The Petitioner auditioned against other dancers for roles rather than being selected based on past outstanding achievements.

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AAO found that the Petitioner did not show why she could not offer evidence meeting at least three of the standard criteria, and failed to demonstrate that auditioning for TV shows is truly comparable to association membership requiring outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts. The Petitioner auditioned against other dancers for roles rather than being selected based on past outstanding achievements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-25_01_B2203; source_row=23195
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 for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner did not show how her performances on TV shows constitute roles for 'organizations or establishments,' did not demonstrate how her roles were leading or critical to production companies or stations, and did not establish the distinguished reputation of the organizations. Recommendation letters lacked specific probative information about the leading or critical nature of her roles.

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AAO found that the Petitioner did not show how her performances on TV shows constitute roles for 'organizations or establishments,' did not demonstrate how her roles were leading or critical to production companies or stations, and did not establish the distinguished reputation of the organizations. Recommendation letters lacked specific probative information about the leading or critical nature of her roles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-25_01_B2203; source_row=23199
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the record contains evidence showing the Petitioner participated as a judge of dancers on a television show, satisfying this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the record contains evidence showing the Petitioner participated as a judge of dancers on a television show, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-25_01_B2203; source_row=23197
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the step-one threshold of at least three criteria. AAO noted in dicta that the record in the aggregate does not support the required finding of sustained acclaim.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the step-one threshold of at least three criteria. AAO noted in dicta that the record in the aggregate does not support the required finding of sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-25_01_B2203; source_row=23201
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 as a dancer at artistic exhibitions and showcases, satisfying this criterion.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the Petitioner displayed her work as a dancer at artistic exhibitions and showcases, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-25_01_B2203; source_row=23198
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 in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Golden Transcript's readership was not established in the record. The blog article was not about the Petitioner or his work — it only briefly identified him as a panel participant. Neither source was shown to be a professional or major trade publication or major media.

Why this is useful

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

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The Golden Transcript's readership was not established in the record. The blog article was not about the Petitioner or his work — it only briefly identified him as a panel participant. Neither source was shown to be a professional or major trade publication or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-23_02_B2203; source_row=23191
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

The Petitioner's rope-fixing pertains to specific expeditions on Mt. Everest, not the field as a whole. His heroic rescue efforts, while personally impactful, are not demonstrated to be original contributions of major significance throughout the field.

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 rope-fixing pertains to specific expeditions on Mt. Everest, not the field as a whole. His heroic rescue efforts, while personally impactful, are not demonstrated to be original contributions of major significance throughout the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-10-23_02_B2203; source_row=23192
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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