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.
Five years of post-baccalaureate progressive experience as advanced degree equivalent
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that an official academic record must show completion of all substantive degree requirements and university approval of the degree. The registrar's letter — written 10 years after the fact, on request, and stating only 'eligibility' — did not satisfy this standard, nor did the transcripts alone. No official academic record established degree completion prior to the November 24, 2007 diploma date.
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AAO found that an official academic record must show completion of all substantive degree requirements and university approval of the degree. The registrar's letter — written 10 years after the fact, on request, and stating only 'eligibility' — did not satisfy this standard, nor did the transcripts alone. No official academic record established degree completion prior to the November 24, 2007 diploma date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-28_01_B5203; source_row=21523 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Beneficiary meets minimum education requirement of labor certification
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO affirmed the Director's reliance on EDGE over the submitted credential evaluations and other publications. The Petitioner provided no evidence that the EDGE guidance was inaccurate or that its co-author objected to it. Contrary third-party publications were either non-peer-reviewed or lacked sufficient specificity to establish equivalency.
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AAO affirmed the Director's reliance on EDGE over the submitted credential evaluations and other publications. The Petitioner provided no evidence that the EDGE guidance was inaccurate or that its co-author objected to it. Contrary third-party publications were either non-peer-reviewed or lacked sufficient specificity to establish equivalency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-28_03_B5203; source_row=21534 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Medicine / ClinicalResearch Scientist
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner did not explain whether she developed the listed treatments or how they had been used by others; reference letters provided general praise without showing her work has affected practices or been adopted by entities; and she did not show a history of success in similar entrepreneurial endeavors, interest from relevant parties, or how she would secure funding for the proposed clinic.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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The Petitioner did not explain whether she developed the listed treatments or how they had been used by others; reference letters provided general praise without showing her work has affected practices or been adopted by entities; and she did not show a history of success in similar entrepreneurial endeavors, interest from relevant parties, or how she would secure funding for the proposed clinic.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-28_02_B5203; source_row=21532 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO declined to separately address the leading/critical role criterion at step 1, reasoning that once three criteria are met, additional criteria are better analyzed in the final merits context.
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AAO declined to separately address the leading/critical role criterion at step 1, reasoning that once three criteria are met, additional criteria are better analyzed in the final merits context.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-28_01_B2203; source_row=21521 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Biomedical / Life Sciences
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why the evidence was persuasive
The Director found the contributions criterion met at step 1, and AAO deferred the significance question to the final merits analysis rather than reversing the step-1 finding. AAO noted it shares concern about significance but addressed it at the final merits stage.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The Director found the contributions criterion met at step 1, and AAO deferred the significance question to the final merits analysis rather than reversing the step-1 finding. AAO noted it shares concern about significance but addressed it at the final merits stage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-28_01_B2203; source_row=21519 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 Petitioner's competition awards are outdated and lacked evidence of recent sustained acclaim; her judging was of youth and junior competitions; her single scholarly article had no demonstrated citations or interest; her media coverage related to youth events; and her coaching experience was post-filing and involved youth swimmers. The totality does not establish extraordinary ability.
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The Petitioner's competition awards are outdated and lacked evidence of recent sustained acclaim; her judging was of youth and junior competitions; her single scholarly article had no demonstrated citations or interest; her media coverage related to youth events; and her coaching experience was post-filing and involved youth swimmers. The totality does not establish extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-22_01_B2203; source_row=21509 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Sworn statement for self-employed physician under 8 C.F.R. § 204.12(c)(1)(ii)
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO noted that while the regulations do permit self-employment filings, the petitioner never actually submitted the required sworn statement committing to full-time practice and describing the steps taken or intended to establish the practice, so he failed to establish eligibility on that ground as well.
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AAO noted that while the regulations do permit self-employment filings, the petitioner never actually submitted the required sworn statement committing to full-time practice and describing the steps taken or intended to establish the practice, so he failed to establish eligibility on that ground as well.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-22_01_B5203; source_row=21511 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c