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 15541–15550

EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner meets the display criterion, noting exhibitions in multiple European countries.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner meets the display criterion, noting exhibitions in multiple European countries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-08-03_01_B2203; source_row=22957
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director, finding that the Petitioner's competition entry in a design book constitutes an article written for learned individuals with profound knowledge of the field.

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AAO agreed with the Director, finding that the Petitioner's competition entry in a design book constitutes an article written for learned individuals with profound knowledge of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-08-03_01_B2203; source_row=22956
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 found that the combination of internationally recognized competition awards judged by renowned experts, international press coverage, board memberships in distinguished organizations, articles in professional publications, display at prestigious international venues, and significant prize compensation establishes the Petitioner as among the small percentage at the top of her field with sustained national and internation…

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AAO found that the combination of internationally recognized competition awards judged by renowned experts, international press coverage, board memberships in distinguished organizations, articles in professional publications, display at prestigious international venues, and significant prize compensation establishes the Petitioner as among the small percentage at the top of her field with sustained national and international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-08-03_01_B2203; source_row=22958
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

successor-in-interest / labor certification supports petition

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the labor certification does not support the petition; the Petitioner conceded no successor-in-interest relationship exists, and the change of petitioning entity is material rather than a simple name change.

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AAO agrees the labor certification does not support the petition; the Petitioner conceded no successor-in-interest relationship exists, and the change of petitioning entity is material rather than a simple name change.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-08-03_02_B5203; source_row=22962
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay the proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that financial documentation submitted pertained to the parent company, not the labor certification employer, which has its own FEIN and files its own returns; no required evidence (tax returns, annual reports, audited financial statements) for the labor cert employer was submitted, and no evidence of wages paid to the Beneficiary.

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AAO found that financial documentation submitted pertained to the parent company, not the labor certification employer, which has its own FEIN and files its own returns; no required evidence (tax returns, annual reports, audited financial statements) for the labor cert employer was submitted, and no evidence of wages paid to the Beneficiary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-08-03_02_B5203; source_row=22963
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the endeavor had substantial merit as it provides educational benefits to students, but determined it lacked national importance because the evidence did not show that the Petitioner's work would impact the field of education more broadly beyond his school or district. AAO cited the Dhanasar precedent's own teaching-activities example to support this conclusion.

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AAO found the endeavor had substantial merit as it provides educational benefits to students, but determined it lacked national importance because the evidence did not show that the Petitioner's work would impact the field of education more broadly beyond his school or district. AAO cited the Dhanasar precedent's own teaching-activities example to support this conclusion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-08-01_01_B5203; source_row=22949
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's qualifications, experience, commitment to teaching science, and support from colleagues and supervisors demonstrated that he is well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor, satisfying the second prong.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's qualifications, experience, commitment to teaching science, and support from colleagues and supervisors demonstrated that he is well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor, satisfying the second prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-08-01_01_B5203; source_row=22950
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed to establish national importance under the first prong, AAO declined to reach the third prong's balancing analysis, finding further discussion would serve no meaningful purpose.

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Because the Petitioner failed to establish national importance under the first prong, AAO declined to reach the third prong's balancing analysis, finding further discussion would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-08-01_01_B5203; source_row=22951
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

The AAO found that much of the evidence lacked original foreign language documents, source identification, or proof that certificates represented nationally or internationally recognized awards for excellence. Participation certificates and ambiguous medals did not establish the required level of recognition.

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The AAO found that much of the evidence lacked original foreign language documents, source identification, or proof that certificates represented nationally or internationally recognized awards for excellence. Participation certificates and ambiguous medals did not establish the required level of recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-31_01_B2203; source_row=22944
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

While some articles were about the Petitioner and her work, the record did not contain evidence demonstrating they were published in professional or major trade publications or other major media. A 1999 publication featured the ensemble rather than the Petitioner individually, and letters from colleagues did not address published material.

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While some articles were about the Petitioner and her work, the record did not contain evidence demonstrating they were published in professional or major trade publications or other major media. A 1999 publication featured the ensemble rather than the Petitioner individually, and letters from colleagues did not address published material.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-31_01_B2203; source_row=22945
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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