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 151160

EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

Although the Petitioner previously claimed this criterion, he did not contest SCOPS' denial on appeal, so the issue is waived.

Why this is useful

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

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Although the Petitioner previously claimed this criterion, he did not contest SCOPS' denial on appeal, so the issue is waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-17_01_B2203; source_row=45061
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIEngineer

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance to the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO accepted SCOPS' finding that this criterion was not met at step one.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO accepted SCOPS' finding that this criterion was not met at step one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-17_02_B2203; source_row=45072
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIEngineer

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO noted that while SCOPS did not explicitly count this criterion in the step-one section, it was treated as established in the final merits analysis, and AAO credited it accordingly.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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AAO noted that while SCOPS did not explicitly count this criterion in the step-one section, it was treated as established in the final merits analysis, and AAO credited it accordingly.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-17_02_B2203; source_row=45073
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIEngineer

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest SCOPS' finding on appeal, so AAO considered the claim waived. AAO noted this in a footnote citing Matter of O-R-E- and Matter of R-A-M-.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner did not contest SCOPS' finding on appeal, so AAO considered the claim waived. AAO noted this in a footnote citing Matter of O-R-E- and Matter of R-A-M-.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-17_02_B2203; source_row=45069
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences114 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's citation figures were not contextualized to show major significance; aggregate citation counts reflect an overall publication record without identifying which specific contributions the field considers majorly significant. Reference letters were too general and conclusory, failing to explain how the Petitioner's work has had widespread impact or influence.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner's citation figures were not contextualized to show major significance; aggregate citation counts reflect an overall publication record without identifying which specific contributions the field considers majorly significant. Reference letters were too general and conclusory, failing to explain how the Petitioner's work has had widespread impact or influence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_03_B2203; source_row=45045
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences114 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published materials

Why AAO was not persuaded

The documentation shows coverage of the Petitioner's work without any substantive discussion about the Petitioner herself; she appears only as a listed author in reference sections. The published material must be about the person, not merely related to her work.

Why this is useful

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

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The documentation shows coverage of the Petitioner's work without any substantive discussion about the Petitioner herself; she appears only as a listed author in reference sections. The published material must be about the person, not merely related to her work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_03_B2203; source_row=45043
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences114 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not demonstrate how the evidence shows national or international recognition for excellence in her field; she failed to establish acknowledgment of the fellowships or scholarships beyond the universities themselves. The institutional reputation of the awarding universities does not establish the national or international recognition of the specific awards.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner did not demonstrate how the evidence shows national or international recognition for excellence in her field; she failed to establish acknowledgment of the fellowships or scholarships beyond the universities themselves. The institutional reputation of the awarding universities does not establish the national or international recognition of the specific awards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_03_B2203; source_row=45042
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences114 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner made speculative assertions without evidentiary support about JoVE's scope and the likely subject of the reviewed article. The record showed the reviewed article was titled 'Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein Rv3444c by ChIP-seq,' and the Petitioner did not demonstrate this involves vaccine technology or an allied field. Post-filing reviews cannot establish eligibility at the time of filing.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner made speculative assertions without evidentiary support about JoVE's scope and the likely subject of the reviewed article. The record showed the reviewed article was titled 'Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein Rv3444c by ChIP-seq,' and the Petitioner did not demonstrate this involves vaccine technology or an allied field. Post-filing reviews cannot establish eligibility at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_03_B2203; source_row=45044
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the awards were for exceptional teaching, empathy, dedication, and contributions to students' academic success, not for excellence in the field of electrical engineering, and the Petitioner failed to provide sufficient evidence of their national or international significance in the field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the awards were for exceptional teaching, empathy, dedication, and contributions to students' academic success, not for excellence in the field of electrical engineering, and the Petitioner failed to provide sufficient evidence of their national or international significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_02_B2203; source_row=45030
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's presentations at symposia, events, and a creativity contest were not artistic exhibitions or showcases under the plain language of the criterion, and the Petitioner failed to establish that his evidence was of comparable significance to the display criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the Petitioner's presentations at symposia, events, and a creativity contest were not artistic exhibitions or showcases under the plain language of the criterion, and the Petitioner failed to establish that his evidence was of comparable significance to the display criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_02_B2203; source_row=45036
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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