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 15791–15800

EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The reference letter's assertion about membership requirements lacked specificity and was not corroborated. The submitted FILA regulations document did not address membership requirements, and the record lacked evidence that recognized experts judge prospective members' achievements.

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The reference letter's assertion about membership requirements lacked specificity and was not corroborated. The submitted FILA regulations document did not address membership requirements, and the record lacked evidence that recognized experts judge prospective members' achievements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-29_01_B2203; source_row=22681
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

Using a coaching technique based on a well-established Georgian wrestling style does not constitute an original contribution, and there was no evidence the technique had any impact beyond the Petitioner's own students.

Why this is useful

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

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Using a coaching technique based on a well-established Georgian wrestling style does not constitute an original contribution, and there was no evidence the technique had any impact beyond the Petitioner's own students.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-29_01_B2203; source_row=22684
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not establish receipt of a major, internationally recognized award, so the analysis proceeded to the ten criteria.

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The Petitioner did not establish receipt of a major, internationally recognized award, so the analysis proceeded to the ten criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-29_01_B2203; source_row=22679
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 organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record did not establish the Petitioner performed as a referee for the claimed organization, did not confirm an official coaching capacity, and conflicting letters described his role differently (volunteer coach, consultant, sparring partner). No evidence established the organization had a distinguished reputation.

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The record did not establish the Petitioner performed as a referee for the claimed organization, did not confirm an official coaching capacity, and conflicting letters described his role differently (volunteer coach, consultant, sparring partner). No evidence established the organization had a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-29_01_B2203; source_row=22686
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 conduct a final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record would not support extraordinary ability.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly declined to conduct a final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record would not support extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-29_01_B2203; source_row=22687
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

Participation as a judge of the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Petitioner held an International Referee card, the record did not demonstrate he had actually performed as a referee for the claimed organization, and a supporting letter did not mention his referee service. The record also lacked explanation of how referee duties qualify under this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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While the Petitioner held an International Referee card, the record did not demonstrate he had actually performed as a referee for the claimed organization, and a supporting letter did not mention his referee service. The record also lacked explanation of how referee duties qualify under this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-29_01_B2203; source_row=22683
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 establishes that the Petitioner won multiple first, second, and third place finishes at national-level wrestling competitions, and the translation certifications met regulatory requirements. AAO disagreed with the Director's finding on this criterion.

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The record establishes that the Petitioner won multiple first, second, and third place finishes at national-level wrestling competitions, and the translation certifications met regulatory requirements. AAO disagreed with the Director's finding on this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-29_01_B2203; source_row=22680
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner provided only a 2015 tax return, but the priority date is June 17, 2016, so evidence of ability to pay for 2016 and later years was required. Additionally, USCIS records indicated multiple concurrent immigrant petitions, requiring demonstration of ability to pay combined proffered wages.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner provided only a 2015 tax return, but the priority date is June 17, 2016, so evidence of ability to pay for 2016 and later years was required. Additionally, USCIS records indicated multiple concurrent immigrant petitions, requiring demonstration of ability to pay combined proffered wages.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-24_01_B5203; source_row=22678
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary possession of required degree in acceptable field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that neither evaluation supported possession of a qualifying degree in computer science or the other accepted fields. The education-only evaluation concluded only a business administration equivalency, which is not listed on the labor certification, and the petitioner's own evaluations contradicted its claim that the Beneficiary had a computer science degree equivalent.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed that neither evaluation supported possession of a qualifying degree in computer science or the other accepted fields. The education-only evaluation concluded only a business administration equivalency, which is not listed on the labor certification, and the petitioner's own evaluations contradicted its claim that the Beneficiary had a computer science degree equivalent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-24_01_B5203; source_row=22677
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 organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the producer's letter did not specify what the Petitioner actually did at the event and thus did not establish a leading or critical role; the petitioner's appellate claim that she performed the role yearly contradicted the letter, and the organization's distinguished reputation was not demonstrated.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the producer's letter did not specify what the Petitioner actually did at the event and thus did not establish a leading or critical role; the petitioner's appellate claim that she performed the role yearly contradicted the letter, and the organization's distinguished reputation was not demonstrated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-05-17_01_B2203; source_row=22668
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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