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 15551–15560

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

The AAO agreed that the record reflects the Petitioner performed as a member of the ensemble at many artistic exhibitions where her artistic abilities as a dancer were on display.

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The AAO agreed that the record reflects the Petitioner performed as a member of the ensemble at many artistic exhibitions where her artistic abilities as a dancer were on display.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-31_01_B2203; source_row=22947
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

The AAO agreed that the record reflects the Petitioner served on a panel judging a children's dance competition.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO agreed that the record reflects the Petitioner served on a panel judging a children's dance competition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-31_01_B2203; source_row=22946
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the Beneficiary's 2017 W-2 showed wages of $89,308, which was $28,292 below the $117,600 proffered wage, and that the only tax return in the record was for 2016 — predating the May 18, 2017 priority date — leaving a gap in the evidence. Because the 2017 financial documentation was absent, the record was insufficient to assess ability to pay for the relevant period, warranting remand rather than denial.

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The AAO found that the Beneficiary's 2017 W-2 showed wages of $89,308, which was $28,292 below the $117,600 proffered wage, and that the only tax return in the record was for 2016 — predating the May 18, 2017 priority date — leaving a gap in the evidence. Because the 2017 financial documentation was absent, the record was insufficient to assess ability to pay for the relevant period, warranting remand rather than denial.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-27_01_B5203; source_row=22941
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherEngineer

Issue evaluated

other

36 months of qualifying experience as supplier quality engineer

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the experience letter deficient under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) because it did not include the company's address or the writer's title beyond 'department chief' of an unidentified department.

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AAO found the experience letter deficient under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) because it did not include the company's address or the writer's title beyond 'department chief' of an unidentified department.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-27_02_B5203; source_row=22943
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherEngineer

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary's foreign degree equivalent to U.S. master's in industrial engineering

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the credential evaluations substantively deficient and internally inconsistent with the petitioner's six-year claim, the professor's statement did not address U.S. equivalency or substantiate a six-year structure given the 11-year completion period, and Spanish/MBA documents did not establish U.S. equivalency.

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AAO found the credential evaluations substantively deficient and internally inconsistent with the petitioner's six-year claim, the professor's statement did not address U.S. equivalency or substantiate a six-year structure given the 11-year completion period, and Spanish/MBA documents did not establish U.S. equivalency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-27_02_B5203; source_row=22942
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 plain language of the criterion requires documentation of the Petitioner's own receipt of prizes or awards. The awards were given to individual dancers and dance groups for their performance, not to the Petitioner for her role as a choreographer.…

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The plain language of the criterion requires documentation of the Petitioner's own receipt of prizes or awards. The awards were given to individual dancers and dance groups for their performance, not to the Petitioner for her role as a choreographer. The one certificate identifying her did not establish national or international recognition, and remaining certificates were participation acknowledgments, not awards for excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-24_01_B2203; source_row=22930
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

The certificate and letter from the association president confirmed that it is the dance school—not the Petitioner personally—that holds membership. Additionally, even if the Petitioner were a member, the evidence does not establish that the association requires outstanding achievements of its individual members, as the 'contact person' membership requires only an application and financial obligations.

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The certificate and letter from the association president confirmed that it is the dance school—not the Petitioner personally—that holds membership. Additionally, even if the Petitioner were a member, the evidence does not establish that the association requires outstanding achievements of its individual members, as the 'contact person' membership requires only an application and financial obligations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-24_01_B2203; source_row=22931
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 Petitioner's acclaim is regional, not national or international. Media coverage focuses on school operations rather than her choreographic achievements. She has no personal awards for choreography, no critical recognition from peers, and her judging involved amateurs. The evidence does not show she ranks at the very top of the field.

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The Petitioner's acclaim is regional, not national or international. Media coverage focuses on school operations rather than her choreographic achievements. She has no personal awards for choreography, no critical recognition from peers, and her judging involved amateurs. The evidence does not show she ranks at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-24_01_B2203; source_row=22936
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the new reference letters did not identify specific contributions or their impact on the field, and the book evidence was not supported by any pertinent precedent or regulation showing legal error.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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AAO found the new reference letters did not identify specific contributions or their impact on the field, and the book evidence was not supported by any pertinent precedent or regulation showing legal error.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-24_02_B2203; source_row=22938
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO noted that the Petitioner did not claim eligibility under this criterion on appeal, and in any event the evidence did not establish that he had written a scholarly article.

Why this is useful

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AAO noted that the Petitioner did not claim eligibility under this criterion on appeal, and in any event the evidence did not establish that he had written a scholarly article.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-24_02_B2203; source_row=22939
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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