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.
The recruitment documentation lacked copies of applicants' resumes and did not identify who interviewed the candidates, failing to establish good-faith recruitment or that the Beneficiary lacked influence over hiring decisions.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The recruitment documentation lacked copies of applicants' resumes and did not identify who interviewed the candidates, failing to establish good-faith recruitment or that the Beneficiary lacked influence over hiring decisions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-25_01_B5203; source_row=21629 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed the Petitioner failed to demonstrate, through an official academic record contemporaneous with events, that all substantive degree requirements were completed and the degree approved prior to April 12, 2010.…
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO agreed the Petitioner failed to demonstrate, through an official academic record contemporaneous with events, that all substantive degree requirements were completed and the degree approved prior to April 12, 2010. The deputy registrar letter, written nine years later in response to the Beneficiary's request, was not issued in the normal course of business and did not show all degree requirements were completed; the statement of marks alone showed only that the Beneficiary passed final examinations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-24_01_B5203; source_row=21624 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed the Beneficiary did not have five years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience, but clarified that an 'official academic record' is not limited to a diploma; the Petitioner nevertheless failed to submit any official academic record showing that the degree was approved before October 13, 2009.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO agreed the Beneficiary did not have five years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience, but clarified that an 'official academic record' is not limited to a diploma; the Petitioner nevertheless failed to submit any official academic record showing that the degree was approved before October 13, 2009.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-24_02_B5203; source_row=21625 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
performing in a leading or critical role for distinguished organizations
Why AAO was not persuaded
The record lacks information on the hierarchy of the Petitioner's department so a leading role cannot be established. With respect to a critical role, the Petitioner has not shown how his reports have been utilized or implemented, the supervisor's letter is unsigned, and a collaborative report does not mention the Petitioner.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The record lacks information on the hierarchy of the Petitioner's department so a leading role cannot be established. With respect to a critical role, the Petitioner has not shown how his reports have been utilized or implemented, the supervisor's letter is unsigned, and a collaborative report does not mention the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-21_01_B2203; source_row=21622 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
One association is open to anyone interested and does not require outstanding achievements. Another (a general academic honor society) admits the top 15% of students based solely on academic achievements and is not an association in the field, nor is admission judged by national or international experts in the field.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
One association is open to anyone interested and does not require outstanding achievements. Another (a general academic honor society) admits the top 15% of students based solely on academic achievements and is not an association in the field, nor is admission judged by national or international experts in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-21_01_B2203; source_row=21618 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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
The supervisor's letter is unsigned and does not offer examples of the Petitioner's influence beyond the department where he works, and is therefore insufficient to confirm impact in the field consistent with a contribution of major significance.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
View full reasoning +
The supervisor's letter is unsigned and does not offer examples of the Petitioner's influence beyond the department where he works, and is therefore insufficient to confirm impact in the field consistent with a contribution of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-21_01_B2203; source_row=21620 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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
The totality of the Petitioner's evidence—one manuscript review, one minimally-cited article, academic memberships, university website mentions, a single pay stub, and an unsigned supervisor letter—does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that he is among the small percentage at the top of his field.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The totality of the Petitioner's evidence—one manuscript review, one minimally-cited article, academic memberships, university website mentions, a single pay stub, and an unsigned supervisor letter—does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that he is among the small percentage at the top of his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-21_01_B2203; source_row=21623 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
beneficiary experience requirement per labor certification
Why AAO was not persuaded
The employment affidavits and the Beneficiary's own resume consistently describe her prior work as preschool/toddler teaching, not elementary school teaching. Even accepting counsel's broader interpretation that elementary education experience (not just first grade) would qualify, the Beneficiary's preschool experience does not fall within that category.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The employment affidavits and the Beneficiary's own resume consistently describe her prior work as preschool/toddler teaching, not elementary school teaching. Even accepting counsel's broader interpretation that elementary education experience (not just first grade) would qualify, the Beneficiary's preschool experience does not fall within that category.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-07-20_01_B5203; source_row=21617 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c