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 16021–16030

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the totality of evidence — substantial peer review, frequently and consistently cited publications, a co-authored prestigious book chapter, presentations at large international conferences, and numerous expert letters attesting to real-world influence — establishes sustained acclaim and top-of-field status.

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AAO found that the totality of evidence — substantial peer review, frequently and consistently cited publications, a co-authored prestigious book chapter, presentations at large international conferences, and numerous expert letters attesting to real-world influence — establishes sustained acclaim and top-of-field status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-28_02_B2203; source_row=22431
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

AAO found that neither the 2016 net income nor net current assets covered the $128,315 proffered wage; the prorating argument was rejected as a matter of policy; the contractor wages via Forms 1099-MISC were insufficient because the forms did not identify job titles/duties or account for employee benefit costs; and the Petitioner failed to substantiate its claimed gross income or demonstrate a pattern of historical growth s…

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AAO found that neither the 2016 net income nor net current assets covered the $128,315 proffered wage; the prorating argument was rejected as a matter of policy; the contractor wages via Forms 1099-MISC were insufficient because the forms did not identify job titles/duties or account for employee benefit costs; and the Petitioner failed to substantiate its claimed gross income or demonstrate a pattern of historical growth sufficient for a favorable totality-of-circumstances finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-28_02_B5203; source_row=22432
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

memberships

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted no documentation for this criterion; AAO reached the same conclusion as the Director.

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The Petitioner submitted no documentation for this criterion; AAO reached the same conclusion as the Director.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-28_01_B2203; source_row=22423
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to document his actual earnings from his claimed employer, did not resolve the inconsistency as to whether he held a CEO position, and thus could not establish that his compensation was high compared to others in his field.

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to document his actual earnings from his claimed employer, did not resolve the inconsistency as to whether he held a CEO position, and thus could not establish that his compensation was high compared to others in his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-27_03_B2203; source_row=22402
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate a leading role because his evidence did not show how his roles were leading to the companies at large or where he fit in the overall reporting structure. For a critical role, the evidence did not establish that his contributions were of significant importance to the outcome of the organizations' activities.

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate a leading role because his evidence did not show how his roles were leading to the companies at large or where he fit in the overall reporting structure. For a critical role, the evidence did not establish that his contributions were of significant importance to the outcome of the organizations' activities.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-27_03_B2203; source_row=22401
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

The trophies and medals overlap with the awards criterion and were not indicative of original contributions of major significance. Recommendation letters spoke to personal qualities and sportsmanship but did not show that the Petitioner's methods affected others, that he introduced widely-used techniques, or that his work otherwise constituted an original contribution of major significance.

Why this is useful

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

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The trophies and medals overlap with the awards criterion and were not indicative of original contributions of major significance. Recommendation letters spoke to personal qualities and sportsmanship but did not show that the Petitioner's methods affected others, that he introduced widely-used techniques, or that his work otherwise constituted an original contribution of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-27_02_B2203; source_row=22395
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's favorable finding, concluding that coach statements alone were insufficient to establish that the trophies and medals were 'nationally or internationally recognized' prizes or awards, and the Petitioner provided no corroborating documentary evidence of the recognition level of the competitions.

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AAO withdrew the Director's favorable finding, concluding that coach statements alone were insufficient to establish that the trophies and medals were 'nationally or internationally recognized' prizes or awards, and the Petitioner provided no corroborating documentary evidence of the recognition level of the competitions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-27_02_B2203; source_row=22393
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 distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not show where his role fit within the overall hierarchy of the organization, did not differentiate himself from other players and coaches to demonstrate a leading role, and did not show that his play contributed substantially to the organization's success. Additionally, the record lacked sufficient evidence that the organization had a distinguished reputation.

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The Petitioner did not show where his role fit within the overall hierarchy of the organization, did not differentiate himself from other players and coaches to demonstrate a leading role, and did not show that his play contributed substantially to the organization's success. Additionally, the record lacked sufficient evidence that the organization had a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-27_02_B2203; source_row=22396
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

The article did not identify an author, was not about the Petitioner (he was not named in it), and the record did not establish that the publication qualifies as a professional or major trade publication or major media. USCIS need not rely on the publisher's self-promotional material.

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The article did not identify an author, was not about the Petitioner (he was not named in it), and the record did not establish that the publication qualifies as a professional or major trade publication or major media. USCIS need not rely on the publisher's self-promotional material.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-27_02_B2203; source_row=22394
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 evidence did not indicate the membership requirements or demonstrate that they necessitate outstanding achievements, and did not show that membership is judged by recognized national or international experts.

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The evidence did not indicate the membership requirements or demonstrate that they necessitate outstanding achievements, and did not show that membership is judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-02-27_06_B2203; source_row=22416
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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