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 16361–16370

NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

academic record

degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO had previously found in its July 2, 2014 appellate decision that the Petitioner's degrees satisfied criterion (A).

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AAO had previously found in its July 2, 2014 appellate decision that the Petitioner's degrees satisfied criterion (A).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-20_01_B5203; source_row=22060
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

AAO found that attendance at military schools is not 'membership' in an association requiring outstanding achievements; appointment as a liaison is a job assignment rather than a qualifying membership; and the steering committee letters did not establish that membership requires outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.

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AAO found that attendance at military schools is not 'membership' in an association requiring outstanding achievements; appointment as a liaison is a job assignment rather than a qualifying membership; and the steering committee letters did not establish that membership requires outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-17_01_B2203; source_row=22052
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner did not show where he fit in the overall reporting structure or how his role compared to leadership; he also did not demonstrate that the relevant organization had a distinguished reputation; and the letters did not show he was directly responsible for the overall success or standing of the organizations.

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AAO found that the Petitioner did not show where he fit in the overall reporting structure or how his role compared to leadership; he also did not demonstrate that the relevant organization had a distinguished reputation; and the letters did not show he was directly responsible for the overall success or standing of the organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-17_01_B2203; source_row=22056
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the comparative data related to officers residing in Romania rather than to others performing similar work in the United States, so it did not establish whether his salary was high relative to peers in the same context; the Petitioner also did not demonstrate that his living expense compensation was high relative to others.

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AAO found that the comparative data related to officers residing in Romania rather than to others performing similar work in the United States, so it did not establish whether his salary was high relative to peers in the same context; the Petitioner also did not demonstrate that his living expense compensation was high relative to others.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-17_01_B2203; source_row=22057
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the letters generally claimed the Petitioner 'evaluated' or 'judged' but lacked specific information (when, whom, and ultimate outcome), and that informal evaluations as part of job duties do not constitute formal participation as a judge of the work of others.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the letters generally claimed the Petitioner 'evaluated' or 'judged' but lacked specific information (when, whom, and ultimate outcome), and that informal evaluations as part of job duties do not constitute formal participation as a judge of the work of others.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-17_01_B2203; source_row=22053
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while some letters acknowledged the originality of the Petitioner's work, none demonstrated broad impact on the field or major significance; letters were primarily conclusory, and there was no documentation showing wide citation or implementation of his work.

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 while some letters acknowledged the originality of the Petitioner's work, none demonstrated broad impact on the field or major significance; letters were primarily conclusory, and there was no documentation showing wide citation or implementation of his work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-17_01_B2203; source_row=22054
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the master's thesis is scholarly in nature and was published in a professional publication, satisfying this criterion.

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 found that the master's thesis is scholarly in nature and was published in a professional publication, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-17_01_B2203; source_row=22055
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Army Commendation Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal qualify as lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field.

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AAO found that the Army Commendation Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal qualify as lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-17_01_B2203; source_row=22051
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 or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's brief failed to name specific organizations or explain what roles qualify as leading or critical. While he worked as a photographer for various entities, he did not demonstrate he led them or was critical to their success, and the record lacked sufficient evidence of the organizations' distinguished reputation.

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The Petitioner's brief failed to name specific organizations or explain what roles qualify as leading or critical. While he worked as a photographer for various entities, he did not demonstrate he led them or was critical to their success, and the record lacked sufficient evidence of the organizations' distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-16_02_B2203; source_row=22047
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although a formal final merits determination was not required because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, the AAO reviewed the aggregate record and found it insufficient to establish sustained national or international acclaim.

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Although a formal final merits determination was not required because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, the AAO reviewed the aggregate record and found it insufficient to establish sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-16_02_B2203; source_row=22050
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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