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 16251–16260

NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that net income and net current assets were insufficient standing alone, but under Matter of Sonegawa's totality-of-circumstances test, the Petitioner's 18 years of operation, substantial and growing gross receipts, 39-person workforce, and increasing payroll established ability to pay the $21,660.16 annual gap.

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AAO agreed that net income and net current assets were insufficient standing alone, but under Matter of Sonegawa's totality-of-circumstances test, the Petitioner's 18 years of operation, substantial and growing gross receipts, 39-person workforce, and increasing payroll established ability to pay the $21,660.16 annual gap.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-22_01_B5203; source_row=22182
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 about the alien in professional or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the submitted articles were about the team, not about the Petitioner specifically, lacked required identifying information (title, date, author, publication), and one was only partially translated. Articles that do not pertain to a petitioner do not meet this criterion.

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AAO found the submitted articles were about the team, not about the Petitioner specifically, lacked required identifying information (title, date, author, publication), and one was only partially translated. Articles that do not pertain to a petitioner do not meet this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=22169
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 with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not show he performed in a leadership role on the national team, did not demonstrate that being an 'extremely effective player' equates to a leading or critical role, and did not establish how being invited for a coaching evaluation or providing movement drills constituted a leading or critical role.

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AAO found the Petitioner did not show he performed in a leadership role on the national team, did not demonstrate that being an 'extremely effective player' equates to a leading or critical role, and did not establish how being invited for a coaching evaluation or providing movement drills constituted a leading or critical role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=22170
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

AAO found that the documentation did not establish the international stature or reputation of the competition, and that the gold medal was not shown to be widely reported by international media comparable to globally recognized awards like the Oscars or Olympic medals. The one-time achievement standard requires a global scope and international recognition as one of the top awards in the field.

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AAO found that the documentation did not establish the international stature or reputation of the competition, and that the gold medal was not shown to be widely reported by international media comparable to globally recognized awards like the Oscars or Olympic medals. The one-time achievement standard requires a global scope and international recognition as one of the top awards in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=22166
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or equivalent (baccalaureate plus five years progressive experience)

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the Beneficiary did not establish five years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience, she cannot qualify as an advanced degree professional under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). The internship was also pre-baccalaureate and thus categorically non-qualifying.

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Because the Beneficiary did not establish five years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience, she cannot qualify as an advanced degree professional under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). The internship was also pre-baccalaureate and thus categorically non-qualifying.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-21_01_B5203; source_row=22173
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Five years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the claimed internship not credible due to omission from the labor certification and the letter's multiple fonts and missing details. Conflicting letters about another employment period provided inconsistent end dates, making it impossible to determine qualifying duration.

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AAO found the claimed internship not credible due to omission from the labor certification and the letter's multiple fonts and missing details. Conflicting letters about another employment period provided inconsistent end dates, making it impossible to determine qualifying duration.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-21_01_B5203; source_row=22172
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

AAO found the Petitioner established receipt of a gold medal at the 1990 international sitting volleyball championship and therefore meets criterion (i), disagreeing with the Director's approach of discounting player evidence.

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AAO found the Petitioner established receipt of a gold medal at the 1990 international sitting volleyball championship and therefore meets criterion (i), disagreeing with the Director's approach of discounting player evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=22167
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the record indicates the Petitioner was a member as a player for the national team until 1992, and that his membership satisfies the requirements of criterion (ii).

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AAO found the record indicates the Petitioner was a member as a player for the national team until 1992, and that his membership satisfies the requirements of criterion (ii).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=22168
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Obligation to pay combined proffered wages of multiple I-140 petitions

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner must demonstrate its own ability to pay the combined proffered wages of all applicable petitions and that a related company's payment does not satisfy this obligation. However, AAO found the Director's inquiry was procedurally incomplete because it did not cover all petitions pending or filed after the January 9, 2015 priority date.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner must demonstrate its own ability to pay the combined proffered wages of all applicable petitions and that a related company's payment does not satisfy this obligation. However, AAO found the Director's inquiry was procedurally incomplete because it did not cover all petitions pending or filed after the January 9, 2015 priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-21_02_B5203; source_row=22174
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 in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

While one article was about the Petitioner, there was no evidence that it appeared in a professional, major trade publication, or other major media. The publication lacked circulation statistics or distribution information, and no corroboration established it as a professional or major trade journal.

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While one article was about the Petitioner, there was no evidence that it appeared in a professional, major trade publication, or other major media. The publication lacked circulation statistics or distribution information, and no corroboration established it as a professional or major trade journal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-12-19_01_B2203; source_row=22152
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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