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 16881–16890

EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the Petitioner provided background on the publication and reasons for selection, the evidence did not show the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field.

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Although the Petitioner provided background on the publication and reasons for selection, the evidence did not show the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-19_01_B2203; source_row=21491
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record shows the Petitioner received a 'Best Referee and Judge Award' for his work at an event, indicating his role included judging. AAO disagreed with the Director and found this criterion met.

Why this is useful

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

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The record shows the Petitioner received a 'Best Referee and Judge Award' for his work at an event, indicating his role included judging. AAO disagreed with the Director and found this criterion met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-19_01_B2203; source_row=21494
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record contains an article discussing the Petitioner as a martial arts instructor in a publication shown to be a major medium in India, satisfying this criterion.

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The record contains an article discussing the Petitioner as a martial arts instructor in a publication shown to be a major medium in India, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-19_01_B2203; source_row=21493
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

Although a colleague's letter asserted the Petitioner judged fellow journalists' work in his capacity as assistant editor, the letter lacked specific information about the journalists whose work was judged and the articles reviewed. No documentary evidence of actual review or edits was provided.

Why this is useful

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

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Although a colleague's letter asserted the Petitioner judged fellow journalists' work in his capacity as assistant editor, the letter lacked specific information about the journalists whose work was judged and the articles reviewed. No documentary evidence of actual review or edits was provided.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-16_01_B2203; source_row=21484
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Chevening Scholarship eligibility criteria do not reflect that it is a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award for excellence in journalism. Uncorroborated colleague statements were insufficient, and one letter contained an inaccuracy about eligibility requirements.…

Why this is useful

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

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The Chevening Scholarship eligibility criteria do not reflect that it is a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award for excellence in journalism. Uncorroborated colleague statements were insufficient, and one letter contained an inaccuracy about eligibility requirements. The additional appeal evidence showed Chevening is awarded for academic and leadership potential, not for excellence in journalism specifically.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-16_01_B2203; source_row=21482
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

The submitted articles are not about the Petitioner but about his news organization's coverage, and the record lacks sufficient evidence that the outlets qualify as major media. A technology blog lacked author identification and evidence of major media status. A promotional billboard does not constitute published material with a title, date, and author as required.

Why this is useful

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

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The submitted articles are not about the Petitioner but about his news organization's coverage, and the record lacks sufficient evidence that the outlets qualify as major media. A technology blog lacked author identification and evidence of major media status. A promotional billboard does not constitute published material with a title, date, and author as required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-16_01_B2203; source_row=21483
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

For fields outside academia, a scholarly article must be written for learned persons — those with profound knowledge of a field. The Petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence that his news stories were written for learned journalists or otherwise constitute scholarly articles in the field of journalism.

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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For fields outside academia, a scholarly article must be written for learned persons — those with profound knowledge of a field. The Petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence that his news stories were written for learned journalists or otherwise constitute scholarly articles in the field of journalism.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-16_01_B2203; source_row=21486
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

The letters primarily contain discussions and attestations without specific examples of how the contributions rise to major significance. The iPhone broadcast technique lacked evidence of field-wide impact. The multimedia show lacked ratings or viewership data. Citations in a book and Congressional report were used as background information, not as works of major significance.…

Why this is useful

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

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The letters primarily contain discussions and attestations without specific examples of how the contributions rise to major significance. The iPhone broadcast technique lacked evidence of field-wide impact. The multimedia show lacked ratings or viewership data. Citations in a book and Congressional report were used as background information, not as works of major significance. Translation work and interviews of officials were not shown to constitute original contributions of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-16_01_B2203; source_row=21485
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director's finding that the record supports the Petitioner meeting this criterion as a critical role performer for a news organization with a distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director's finding that the record supports the Petitioner meeting this criterion as a critical role performer for a news organization with a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-16_01_B2203; source_row=21487
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

Minimum educational requirement per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the plain language of the labor certification instructions requires listing a major field of study in reference to the minimum education level, and the phrase 'or any related field' logically modifies the fields immediately preceding it (computer science, engineering).…

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

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The AAO found that the plain language of the labor certification instructions requires listing a major field of study in reference to the minimum education level, and the phrase 'or any related field' logically modifies the fields immediately preceding it (computer science, engineering). The Petitioner's alternative reading was not supported by the labor certification language, and DOL's certification does not determine whether the alien is qualified for the job.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-06-16_01_B5203; source_row=21489
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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