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.
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other25 papers51 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner did not demonstrate that his citation count is significant or what effect his work had on the field. His books' subject matter was not shown to be widely adopted. Recommendation letters used general praise without specifying how his contributions were of major significance, and his framework was not shown to have been widely adopted.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The Petitioner did not demonstrate that his citation count is significant or what effect his work had on the field. His books' subject matter was not shown to be widely adopted. Recommendation letters used general praise without specifying how his contributions were of major significance, and his framework was not shown to have been widely adopted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-22_01_B2203; source_row=22084 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The university is an academic institution, not an association, and the record does not demonstrate that nationally or internationally recognized experts participated in the hiring process or that outstanding achievements are required. The society document was not fully translated with a certified translation, so AAO could not determine if the appointment requirements satisfy the criterion.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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The university is an academic institution, not an association, and the record does not demonstrate that nationally or internationally recognized experts participated in the hiring process or that outstanding achievements are required. The society document was not fully translated with a certified translation, so AAO could not determine if the appointment requirements satisfy the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-22_01_B2203; source_row=22081 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other25 papers51 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material
Why AAO was not persuaded
Because most articles lacked certified translations, AAO could only consider one article. That publication failed to document its circulation relative to other outlets or otherwise establish it is major media, and the record contained conflicting information about the publication's nature. The evidence did not show the articles were about the Petitioner relating to his work or that they appeared in qualifying media.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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Because most articles lacked certified translations, AAO could only consider one article. That publication failed to document its circulation relative to other outlets or otherwise establish it is major media, and the record contained conflicting information about the publication's nature. The evidence did not show the articles were about the Petitioner relating to his work or that they appeared in qualifying media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-22_01_B2203; source_row=22082 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other25 papers51 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
What the decision said
AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the threshold of at least three criteria, but observed in aggregate that the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the threshold of at least three criteria, but observed in aggregate that the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-22_01_B2203; source_row=22086 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's peer review activities as executive editor of a journal in 2014 and 2015 satisfied the judging criterion.
Why this is useful
See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.
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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's peer review activities as executive editor of a journal in 2014 and 2015 satisfied the judging criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-22_01_B2203; source_row=22083 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Timing of acquisition relative to labor certification filing
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed that neither USCIS nor DOL recognize a successorship formed before the start of the immigration process. USCIS policy requires the transfer of ownership to occur after the filing or approval of the original labor certification; DOL allows pre-filing successorships only when the acquisition occurred after advertising began, which was not the case here.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO agreed that neither USCIS nor DOL recognize a successorship formed before the start of the immigration process. USCIS policy requires the transfer of ownership to occur after the filing or approval of the original labor certification; DOL allows pre-filing successorships only when the acquisition occurred after advertising began, which was not the case here.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-22_01_B5203; source_row=22087 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Job opportunity remains the same as certified (location/prevailing wage)
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO acknowledged the position involves relocation but found that the Petitioner's use of the Massachusetts prevailing wage was artificial because it intended to employ the Beneficiary in California, where the prevailing wage was nearly $20,000 higher. This would allow the Petitioner to pay a lower wage than U.S. workers similarly employed near its actual headquarters, contrary to the Act.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO acknowledged the position involves relocation but found that the Petitioner's use of the Massachusetts prevailing wage was artificial because it intended to employ the Beneficiary in California, where the prevailing wage was nearly $20,000 higher. This would allow the Petitioner to pay a lower wage than U.S. workers similarly employed near its actual headquarters, contrary to the Act.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-22_01_B5203; source_row=22088 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c