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 16341–16350

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay the proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's 2016 W-2 wages to the Beneficiary fell short of the proffered wage, and required regulatory evidence for 2016 was not submitted on appeal. Additionally, the Petitioner had filed at least 22 other petitions whose combined proffered wages it must also demonstrate ability to pay.…

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AAO found that the Petitioner's 2016 W-2 wages to the Beneficiary fell short of the proffered wage, and required regulatory evidence for 2016 was not submitted on appeal. Additionally, the Petitioner had filed at least 22 other petitions whose combined proffered wages it must also demonstrate ability to pay. Under the Sonegawa totality analysis, the Petitioner's approximately four-year history, $740.6 million in accumulated losses, and obligation to pay multiple beneficiaries precluded a finding of ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-22_01_B5203; source_row=22089
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary possesses minimum required experience per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The company letter did not describe the Beneficiary's experience or his work with the required technologies. The supervisor's letter was on personal stationery without proof of his former affiliation with the company, and no showing was made that a proper employer letter was unavailable, so it could not be accepted as secondary evidence.

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The company letter did not describe the Beneficiary's experience or his work with the required technologies. The supervisor's letter was on personal stationery without proof of his former affiliation with the company, and no showing was made that a proper employer letter was unavailable, so it could not be accepted as secondary evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-22_01_B5203; source_row=22090
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI12 papers1,981 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's judging history was limited, his citation record did not demonstrate sustained acclaim, his critical role within his company did not translate to top-of-field recognition, and letters about his contributions lacked independent attribution and impact evidence.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's judging history was limited, his citation record did not demonstrate sustained acclaim, his critical role within his company did not translate to top-of-field recognition, and letters about his contributions lacked independent attribution and impact evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-21_01_B2203; source_row=22070
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI12 papers1,981 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that letters from end users were of limited probative value because research contributions in the industry are attributed to the company rather than individuals, and the record did not establish how the Petitioner's contributions were directly attributable to him as opposed to other developers.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that letters from end users were of limited probative value because research contributions in the industry are attributed to the company rather than individuals, and the record did not establish how the Petitioner's contributions were directly attributable to him as opposed to other developers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-21_01_B2203; source_row=22067
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

display of work at artistic exhibitions in more than one country (20 C.F.R. § 656.15(d)(1)(vii))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Beneficiary displayed his creative works at artistic exhibitions in several countries including the US, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, and France, meeting the multi-country display criterion.

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The Beneficiary displayed his creative works at artistic exhibitions in several countries including the US, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, and France, meeting the multi-country display criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=22078
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and contributions from peers/professional organizations

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record contains letters from peers, mentors, employers, and professional art administrators recognizing the significance of the Beneficiary's achievements and contributions, and his work has been displayed at international venues in Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and New York.

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The record contains letters from peers, mentors, employers, and professional art administrators recognizing the significance of the Beneficiary's achievements and contributions, and his work has been displayed at international venues in Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and New York.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=22073
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

10 years full-time experience in the occupation

Why the evidence was persuasive

Despite the Director's concerns that employer letters used similar language mirroring the labor certification, AAO found the record taken as a whole contains sufficient evidence of the Beneficiary's activities as a fine artist over many years to meet the 10-year experience requirement for the exceptional ability criterion.

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Despite the Director's concerns that employer letters used similar language mirroring the labor certification, AAO found the record taken as a whole contains sufficient evidence of the Beneficiary's activities as a fine artist over many years to meet the 10-year experience requirement for the exceptional ability criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=22072
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence (20 C.F.R. § 656.15(d)(1)(i))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The 2015 travel award lacked sufficient documentation to show it is internationally recognized. The Irish government agency awards were national in scope, limited to Irish artists or those working in Ireland, and appeared aimed at furthering Irish cultural life rather than recognizing individual international excellence.

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The 2015 travel award lacked sufficient documentation to show it is internationally recognized. The Irish government agency awards were national in scope, limited to Irish artists or those working in Ireland, and appeared aimed at furthering Irish cultural life rather than recognizing individual international excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=22075
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

widespread acclaim and international recognition by recognized experts (20 C.F.R. § 656.15(d)(1))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The letters from contemporary art experts, supported by contemporaneous evidence including gallery announcements, press releases, and trade magazine advertisements, established that the Beneficiary has garnered widespread international acclaim for his work as a fine artist and creator of contemporary art installations.

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The letters from contemporary art experts, supported by contemporaneous evidence including gallery announcements, press releases, and trade magazine advertisements, established that the Beneficiary has garnered widespread international acclaim for his work as a fine artist and creator of contemporary art installations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=22079
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

published material in professional publications about the alien (20 C.F.R. § 656.15(d)(1)(iii))

Why the evidence was persuasive

At least two submitted articles about the Beneficiary appeared in professional publications meeting the regulatory requirements and focused on his work in the field: a 2009 article in a contemporary visual culture periodical and a 2001 article in a publication reporting on design trends.

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At least two submitted articles about the Beneficiary appeared in professional publications meeting the regulatory requirements and focused on his work in the field: a 2009 article in a contemporary visual culture periodical and a 2001 article in a publication reporting on design trends.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=22077
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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