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 15431–15440

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences641 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record reflects that the petitioner reviewed manuscripts for journals, which constitutes judging the work of others in the field.

Why this is useful

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The record reflects that the petitioner reviewed manuscripts for journals, which constitutes judging the work of others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-18_02_B2203; source_row=23086
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

EB-2 advanced degree or exceptional ability qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner submitted only a non-official transcript screenprint, which does not satisfy 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(A)'s requirement for an official academic record. The Petitioner also did not claim or document exceptional ability under the alternative EB-2 basis.

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AAO found the Petitioner submitted only a non-official transcript screenprint, which does not satisfy 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(A)'s requirement for an official academic record. The Petitioner also did not claim or document exceptional ability under the alternative EB-2 basis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-18_01_B5203; source_row=23082
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's assertions about the national economic impact of her work were unsupported by evidence. The record lacked documentation about the employer organizations, their intent to hire U.S. workers, or the alleged national condition, and the Petitioner did not sufficiently explain how developing a personnel department would create significant economic impact.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's assertions about the national economic impact of her work were unsupported by evidence. The record lacked documentation about the employer organizations, their intent to hire U.S. workers, or the alleged national condition, and the Petitioner did not sufficiently explain how developing a personnel department would create significant economic impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-18_01_B5203; source_row=23083
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record contains evidence that the Petitioner received lesser nationally and internationally recognized awards for excellence at wrestling tournaments and championships; AAO agreed with the Director on this criterion.

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The record contains evidence that the Petitioner received lesser nationally and internationally recognized awards for excellence at wrestling tournaments and championships; AAO agreed with the Director on this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-18_01_B2203; source_row=23076
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 declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the initial evidence threshold. In dicta, AAO noted the record does not support the required acclaim and recognition.

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AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the initial evidence threshold. In dicta, AAO noted the record does not support the required acclaim and recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-18_01_B2203; source_row=23081
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirms the Director's finding; the Petitioner's foreign degree evaluated only as equivalent to a U.S. Associate's Degree, falling below the required baccalaureate threshold.

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AAO affirms the Director's finding; the Petitioner's foreign degree evaluated only as equivalent to a U.S. Associate's Degree, falling below the required baccalaureate threshold.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-12_02_B5203; source_row=23070
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the AAO corrected the Director's net income figure (from $133,753 to $17,358), it still found the Petitioner unable to pay the proffered wage. Net income and net current assets were far below the proffered wage, the president's pledged foregone compensation was insufficient and not shown to be discretionary, bank statements did not add to net current assets already considered, and Sonegawa factors did not cure the…

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Although the AAO corrected the Director's net income figure (from $133,753 to $17,358), it still found the Petitioner unable to pay the proffered wage. Net income and net current assets were far below the proffered wage, the president's pledged foregone compensation was insufficient and not shown to be discretionary, bank statements did not add to net current assets already considered, and Sonegawa factors did not cure the deficiency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-12_01_B5203; source_row=23068
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

five years of experience in the job offered

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Beneficiary's experience letters described IT systems design and software implementation project management, but did not establish experience performing many of the listed duties of the senior sales engineer position, such as establishing new accounts, preparing cost estimates from blueprints, ensuring regulatory compliance, and preparing sales engineering reports.

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The Beneficiary's experience letters described IT systems design and software implementation project management, but did not establish experience performing many of the listed duties of the senior sales engineer position, such as establishing new accounts, preparing cost estimates from blueprints, ensuring regulatory compliance, and preparing sales engineering reports.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-12_01_B5203; source_row=23069
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

exceptional ability regulatory criteria

What the decision said

AAO notes that the Director did not address exceptional ability at all, and remands for that analysis to be performed in the first instance.

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AAO notes that the Director did not address exceptional ability at all, and remands for that analysis to be performed in the first instance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-12_02_B5203; source_row=23071
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

Why the evidence was persuasive

After the Petitioner submitted required financial documentation in response to AAO's notice of intent to dismiss, AAO found that the Petitioner had established its ability to pay the proffered wage from the priority date onward.

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After the Petitioner submitted required financial documentation in response to AAO's notice of intent to dismiss, AAO found that the Petitioner had established its ability to pay the proffered wage from the priority date onward.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-09-11_01_B5203; source_row=23067
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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