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 16621–16630

EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Portuguese-language magazine article lacked a full English translation, did not appear to be about the Petitioner, and lacked evidence the publication is major media. Additional event photos and broadcast references lacked transcripts, title/date/author information, and proof of major media status.

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AAO found the Portuguese-language magazine article lacked a full English translation, did not appear to be about the Petitioner, and lacked evidence the publication is major media. Additional event photos and broadcast references lacked transcripts, title/date/author information, and proof of major media status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-13_02_B2203; source_row=21779
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot established

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the record showed invitations and requests but lacked evidence that the Petitioner actually evaluated the posters or papers. Letters regarding conference panels did not elaborate on duties sufficient to show judging of others' work, and new evidence submitted on appeal post-dated the petition filing.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that the record showed invitations and requests but lacked evidence that the Petitioner actually evaluated the posters or papers. Letters regarding conference panels did not elaborate on duties sufficient to show judging of others' work, and new evidence submitted on appeal post-dated the petition filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-13_01_B2203; source_row=21772
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that while citations indicate interest from the field, the Petitioner did not sufficiently identify what contributions he made through his publications or explain their significance.…

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that while citations indicate interest from the field, the Petitioner did not sufficiently identify what contributions he made through his publications or explain their significance. Recommendation letters focused on his institutional contributions and unique skill set rather than demonstrating field-wide major significance, and merely describing prolific publication without explaining major influence is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-13_01_B2203; source_row=21773
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

What the decision said

Petitioner did not contest the Director's denial of this criterion on appeal, so AAO did not further address it. AAO noted that informal instruction and evaluation of students does not meet the criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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Petitioner did not contest the Director's denial of this criterion on appeal, so AAO did not further address it. AAO noted that informal instruction and evaluation of students does not meet the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-13_02_B2203; source_row=21780
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's letters demonstrated a critical role with an institution having a distinguished reputation.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's letters demonstrated a critical role with an institution having a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-13_01_B2203; source_row=21775
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner authored articles published in professional journals, satisfying this criterion.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner authored articles published in professional journals, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-13_01_B2203; source_row=21774
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the threshold requirement of meeting at least three criteria. In advisory dicta, AAO noted the record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the threshold requirement of meeting at least three criteria. In advisory dicta, AAO noted the record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-13_01_B2203; source_row=21776
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that bank statements are not among the enumerated forms of evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2) and do not demonstrate sustainable ability to pay. The amended tax return showing $31,488 net income was insufficient because the Petitioner also had a pending I-140 for a second beneficiary, and no evidence of that second beneficiary's wages was in the record.…

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AAO agreed that bank statements are not among the enumerated forms of evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2) and do not demonstrate sustainable ability to pay. The amended tax return showing $31,488 net income was insufficient because the Petitioner also had a pending I-140 for a second beneficiary, and no evidence of that second beneficiary's wages was in the record. The totality-of-circumstances analysis under Matter of Sonegawa also failed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-08_01_B5203; source_row=21770
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

AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding that the record lacked documentary evidence showing the number of watches sold, revenue generated, or impact on the custom watch industry. Letters of support contained primarily conclusory attestations of talent rather than specific examples of contributions of major significance.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding that the record lacked documentary evidence showing the number of watches sold, revenue generated, or impact on the custom watch industry. Letters of support contained primarily conclusory attestations of talent rather than specific examples of contributions of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-07_01_B2203; source_row=21767
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

None of the submitted publications qualified as major trade publications or major media. The profiles lacked proper authorship attribution, and the evidence did not establish that any of the outlets had sufficient reach or prominence to qualify. The video evidence lacked required title, date, author, and broadcast attribution.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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None of the submitted publications qualified as major trade publications or major media. The profiles lacked proper authorship attribution, and the evidence did not establish that any of the outlets had sufficient reach or prominence to qualify. The video evidence lacked required title, date, author, and broadcast attribution.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-09-07_01_B2203; source_row=21766
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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