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 15961–15970

EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner is not a performing artist and thus does not satisfy this criterion.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner is not a performing artist and thus does not satisfy this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-19_01_B2203; source_row=22498
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold, but noted in dicta that the record does not support the required level of expertise and that the evidence largely relates to a single project.

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AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold, but noted in dicta that the record does not support the required level of expertise and that the evidence largely relates to a single project.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-19_01_B2203; source_row=22499
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the petitioner's work has substantial merit but not national importance. The relevant inquiry is the specific proposed endeavor, not the importance of the fields in which he works. The proposed endeavor's impact is limited to individual clients and projects and does not broadly affect the relevant fields.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO found the petitioner's work has substantial merit but not national importance. The relevant inquiry is the specific proposed endeavor, not the importance of the fields in which he works. The proposed endeavor's impact is limited to individual clients and projects and does not broadly affect the relevant fields.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-16_03_B5203; source_row=22491
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

At least two of seven Schedule A Group II evidentiary criteria

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding the Beneficiary met two criteria: serving as a peer reviewer for scholarly journals and conferences, and authoring scholarly articles in international professional journals.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding the Beneficiary met two criteria: serving as a peer reviewer for scholarly journals and conferences, and authoring scholarly articles in international professional journals.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-16_02_B5203; source_row=22485
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Original scientific or scholarly research contributions of major significance (criterion v)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The support letters describe scholarly activities substantiated in the record but do not establish they rise to contributions of major significance. Citation counts are limited and widespread use of the textbook/encyclopedia contributions was not demonstrated.

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The support letters describe scholarly activities substantiated in the record but do not establish they rise to contributions of major significance. Citation counts are limited and widespread use of the textbook/encyclopedia contributions was not demonstrated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-16_02_B5203; source_row=22488
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Prior year's work and prospective position require exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The stated duties of teaching, research, and publication are typical of college and university faculty positions. The Petitioner's claims about its diverse student body and local mental health conditions were not substantiated as unique factors justifying a requirement of ability beyond what is normally required for educators in the field.

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The stated duties of teaching, research, and publication are typical of college and university faculty positions. The Petitioner's claims about its diverse student body and local mental health conditions were not substantiated as unique factors justifying a requirement of ability beyond what is normally required for educators in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-16_02_B5203; source_row=22490
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Membership in international associations requiring outstanding achievement (criterion ii)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The honor societies require only minimum GPA or academic standing, not outstanding achievement judged by recognized international experts. The institutional board is not an international association and uses varied selection criteria. Conference committee participation was not shown to require outstanding achievement.

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The honor societies require only minimum GPA or academic standing, not outstanding achievement judged by recognized international experts. The institutional board is not an international association and uses varied selection criteria. Conference committee participation was not shown to require outstanding achievement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-16_02_B5203; source_row=22486
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Widespread acclaim and international recognition from recognized experts

Why AAO was not persuaded

Peer reviewing is done by many volunteers and does not indicate widespread acclaim. Publications have not been received by other scholars to an extent rising to widespread acclaim. Contributions to reference works were not shown to have gained widespread use. The newspaper article was of unknown circulation and insufficient to establish international recognition. Support letters were not corroborated by documentary evidence.

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Peer reviewing is done by many volunteers and does not indicate widespread acclaim. Publications have not been received by other scholars to an extent rising to widespread acclaim. Contributions to reference works were not shown to have gained widespread use. The newspaper article was of unknown circulation and insufficient to establish international recognition. Support letters were not corroborated by documentary evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-16_02_B5203; source_row=22489
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / StatisticsPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner's experience, expertise, publications, citation record, and progress in fluid dynamics research position her well to advance her endeavor.

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AAO found the Petitioner's experience, expertise, publications, citation record, and progress in fluid dynamics research position her well to advance her endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-16_01_B5203; source_row=22482
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / StatisticsPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner documented both substantial merit and national importance of the research, noting broad applications of computational fluid dynamics and dissemination through journals and conferences.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO found the Petitioner documented both substantial merit and national importance of the research, noting broad applications of computational fluid dynamics and dissemination through journals and conferences.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-03-16_01_B5203; source_row=22481
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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