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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 16711–16720
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
Original contributions of major significance in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO held that athletic awards and team memberships are specifically covered under criteria (i) and (ii) and cannot also satisfy criterion (v). Successfully competing is not an original contribution of major significance to a sport. While the Petitioner's coaching produced student progress, successfully training junior fencers is not an original contribution of major significance to the sport as a whole.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
View full reasoning +
AAO held that athletic awards and team memberships are specifically covered under criteria (i) and (ii) and cannot also satisfy criterion (v). Successfully competing is not an original contribution of major significance to a sport. While the Petitioner's coaching produced student progress, successfully training junior fencers is not an original contribution of major significance to the sport as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-08_01_B2203; source_row=21681 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
Final merits determination
What the decision said
AAO explicitly declined to fully conduct the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold of three criteria.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO explicitly declined to fully conduct the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold of three criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-08_01_B2203; source_row=21682 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found that official national teams that select an exclusive group of athletes to compete at significant international events are qualifying associations under this criterion.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found that official national teams that select an exclusive group of athletes to compete at significant international events are qualifying associations under this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-08_01_B2203; source_row=21679 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found the awards nationally recognized in Israel and that age-limited awards can qualify if nationally or internationally recognized. The junior competitions received media coverage in Israeli national newspapers, and the collegiate national championship is not limited to a single university or region.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found the awards nationally recognized in Israel and that age-limited awards can qualify if nationally or internationally recognized. The junior competitions received media coverage in Israeli national newspapers, and the collegiate national championship is not limited to a single university or region.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-08_01_B2203; source_row=21678 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Because the Petitioner signed the Form I-140 under penalty of perjury attesting to the truth of the submitted evidence, AAO concluded the misrepresentations were knowing and intentional.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Because the Petitioner signed the Form I-140 under penalty of perjury attesting to the truth of the submitted evidence, AAO concluded the misrepresentations were knowing and intentional.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-04_01_B2203; source_row=21675 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found the Petitioner made false representations by submitting fabricated articles, a fabricated award certificate, and letters of support repudiated by the purported authors or their associates.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner made false representations by submitting fabricated articles, a fabricated award certificate, and letters of support repudiated by the purported authors or their associates.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-04_01_B2203; source_row=21674 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
OtherFaculty
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
The letters primarily contain conclusory attestations of the Petitioner's status in the field without specific examples showing how his contributions rise to a level of major significance, and USCIS need not accept primarily conclusory statements.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
View full reasoning +
The letters primarily contain conclusory attestations of the Petitioner's status in the field without specific examples showing how his contributions rise to a level of major significance, and USCIS need not accept primarily conclusory statements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-28_01_B2203; source_row=21666 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
The letters did not specify the Petitioner's position in the organizational hierarchy or demonstrate how his work was critical to the success and standing of any organization, and the promotional materials did not identify the nature or prominence of his roles or establish the organizations' distinguished reputations.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The letters did not specify the Petitioner's position in the organizational hierarchy or demonstrate how his work was critical to the success and standing of any organization, and the promotional materials did not identify the nature or prominence of his roles or establish the organizations' distinguished reputations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-28_01_B2203; source_row=21668 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
OtherFaculty
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · High remuneration
high salary or other significantly high remuneration for services
Why AAO was not persuaded
Although the Petitioner submitted a statement that he earned four to five times more than other actors and provided television acting contracts, he did not sufficiently document the compensation of other actors in Iran to support his claim, so the record did not establish how his earnings compare to the field at large.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Although the Petitioner submitted a statement that he earned four to five times more than other actors and provided television acting contracts, he did not sufficiently document the compensation of other actors in Iran to support his claim, so the record did not establish how his earnings compare to the field at large.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-28_01_B2203; source_row=21669 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found, sua sponte, that the Petitioner's performances in several television series broadcast on Iranian television satisfied the display at artistic exhibitions or showcases criterion, even though the Director had not found this criterion met.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found, sua sponte, that the Petitioner's performances in several television series broadcast on Iranian television satisfied the display at artistic exhibitions or showcases criterion, even though the Director had not found this criterion met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-28_01_B2203; source_row=21667 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c