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 15761–15770

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's Korean doctorate in hotel tourism management was not accompanied by a credentials evaluation establishing equivalency to a U.S. degree, as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(A).

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The petitioner's Korean doctorate in hotel tourism management was not accompanied by a credentials evaluation establishing equivalency to a U.S. degree, as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(A).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_03_B5203; source_row=22709
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The membership card was dated more than one year after filing, failing the eligibility-at-time-of-filing requirement. Even if timely, the membership requirements did not establish that outstanding achievements are required of regular members.

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The membership card was dated more than one year after filing, failing the eligibility-at-time-of-filing requirement. Even if timely, the membership requirements did not establish that outstanding achievements are required of regular members.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_02_B2203; source_row=22696
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the individual in professional or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The printout provided no information about the Petitioner or his work beyond a conference abstract, and the record contained no evidence that the website qualifies as a professional or major trade publication or major media.

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The printout provided no information about the Petitioner or his work beyond a conference abstract, and the record contained no evidence that the website qualifies as a professional or major trade publication or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_02_B2203; source_row=22697
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found inconsistencies in the letter describing the award, making it impossible to determine the award was given for excellence in chemical science. Reviewer certificates were found not to meet the criterion due to discrepancies undermining reliability and the manner of their distribution.

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AAO found inconsistencies in the letter describing the award, making it impossible to determine the award was given for excellence in chemical science. Reviewer certificates were found not to meet the criterion due to discrepancies undermining reliability and the manner of their distribution.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_02_B2203; source_row=22695
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The COO letter indicated only potential applications of the Petitioner's research and did not show actual impact on the field. The second letter made only vague, unsupported assertions about the Petitioner's work without identifying specific contributions.

Why this is useful

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

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The COO letter indicated only potential applications of the Petitioner's research and did not show actual impact on the field. The second letter made only vague, unsupported assertions about the Petitioner's work without identifying specific contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_02_B2203; source_row=22699
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The documents did not describe how the Petitioner played a leading or critical role at the institutions, and the record contained no evidence regarding the reputation of these institutions.

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The documents did not describe how the Petitioner played a leading or critical role at the institutions, and the record contained no evidence regarding the reputation of these institutions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_02_B2203; source_row=22701
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's written work was not shown to be scholarly in nature. Translations of article content and information about intended audience were not provided, and the descriptions of the work characterized it as essays, opinions, and commentary rather than scholarly work.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's written work was not shown to be scholarly in nature. Translations of article content and information about intended audience were not provided, and the descriptions of the work characterized it as essays, opinions, and commentary rather than scholarly work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_04_B2203; source_row=22716
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's nine Internet articles from 2012–2016, judging service as deputy editor-in-chief, publication of eight articles and books with ~159 citations (predominantly by students), a local festival award, and four recommendation letters collectively failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field of journalism and au…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the Petitioner's nine Internet articles from 2012–2016, judging service as deputy editor-in-chief, publication of eight articles and books with ~159 citations (predominantly by students), a local festival award, and four recommendation letters collectively failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field of journalism and authorship.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_04_B2203; source_row=22718
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that three of the nine screenshots did not reflect published material about the Petitioner but rather covered his books and a song. The remaining six screenshots were about him, but none were shown to be from professional or major trade publications or other major media. Some screenshots also lacked author attribution.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that three of the nine screenshots did not reflect published material about the Petitioner but rather covered his books and a song. The remaining six screenshots were about him, but none were shown to be from professional or major trade publications or other major media. Some screenshots also lacked author attribution.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_04_B2203; source_row=22713
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record did not support the Director's determination that the Petitioner made original contributions of major significance, as the evidence did not show her work had greatly influenced the overall field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the record did not support the Director's determination that the Petitioner made original contributions of major significance, as the evidence did not show her work had greatly influenced the overall field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-30_03_B2203; source_row=22706
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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