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 161–170
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Electrical / Electronic Engineering
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the Petitioner provided only general self-reported information about the publications' reach and audience without independent, objective documentary evidence establishing their intended audience, relative circulation, readership, or viewership.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO found the Petitioner provided only general self-reported information about the publications' reach and audience without independent, objective documentary evidence establishing their intended audience, relative circulation, readership, or viewership.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_02_B2203; source_row=45032 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Electrical / Electronic Engineering
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the patented technology lacked evidence of significant attention or commercialization beyond one employer/client, the citation record did not show the work was unusually influential or widely applied, and recommendation letters were not sufficiently corroborated by independent evidence 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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AAO found the patented technology lacked evidence of significant attention or commercialization beyond one employer/client, the citation record did not show the work was unusually influential or widely applied, and recommendation letters were not sufficiently corroborated by independent evidence of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_02_B2203; source_row=45034 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the membership requirements for CREA-SC and ASCEA were based on education, professional experience, and contributions to the field—not outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts. IEEE membership requirements were not sufficiently documented.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO found that the membership requirements for CREA-SC and ASCEA were based on education, professional experience, and contributions to the field—not outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts. IEEE membership requirements were not sufficiently documented.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_02_B2203; source_row=45031 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for distinguished organizations
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the letters praised the Petitioner's skills and competence but did not sufficiently demonstrate performance in a leading or critical role, and the Petitioner failed to provide independent, objective evidence that the organizations had a distinguished reputation.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO found the letters praised the Petitioner's skills and competence but did not sufficiently demonstrate performance in a leading or critical role, and the Petitioner failed to provide independent, objective evidence that the organizations had a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_02_B2203; source_row=45037 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found that the Petitioner's letters of support, citation evidence, journal rankings, funding acknowledgements, and future plans did not collectively establish a record of success or progress sufficient to show he is well positioned.…
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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AAO found that the Petitioner's letters of support, citation evidence, journal rankings, funding acknowledgements, and future plans did not collectively establish a record of success or progress sufficient to show he is well positioned. Citation frequency was deemed quantitative and insufficient without qualitative evidence of impact; funding was attributed to his advisor rather than him; and his postdoctoral offer was contingent and non-binding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_01_B5203; source_row=45028 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial merit and national importance
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed with SCOPS that the Petitioner's description of her proposed endeavor was too vague. Even after two supplementations of the record, the Petitioner had not outlined in specific detail what she planned to do, and her evidence did not adequately articulate her research goals or show prospective impact.…
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
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AAO agreed with SCOPS that the Petitioner's description of her proposed endeavor was too vague. Even after two supplementations of the record, the Petitioner had not outlined in specific detail what she planned to do, and her evidence did not adequately articulate her research goals or show prospective impact. Emphasizing the importance of her field without showing the potential impact of the specific endeavor is insufficient to establish national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_02_B5203; source_row=45039 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The certificate showing the Petitioner's position as senior lecturer did not demonstrate participation as a judge of the work of others and lacked details about who, what, and when he judged. His claim of supervising Ph.D. candidates was unsupported by departmental records, and providing guidance and support does not constitute participating as a judge on a dissertation committee.
Why this is useful
See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.
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The certificate showing the Petitioner's position as senior lecturer did not demonstrate participation as a judge of the work of others and lacked details about who, what, and when he judged. His claim of supervising Ph.D. candidates was unsupported by departmental records, and providing guidance and support does not constitute participating as a judge on a dissertation committee.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_01_B2203; source_row=45022 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
contributions
Why AAO was not persuaded
Although the Petitioner's dissertation and publications may indicate original contributions, he did not show they represent majorly significant contributions in the field or that they impacted or influenced the field as a whole. The laws and regulations submitted did not credit or mention the Petitioner, so his claimed role in developing them was unsubstantiated.…
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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Although the Petitioner's dissertation and publications may indicate original contributions, he did not show they represent majorly significant contributions in the field or that they impacted or influenced the field as a whole. The laws and regulations submitted did not credit or mention the Petitioner, so his claimed role in developing them was unsubstantiated. Recommendation letters spoke in generalities and did not specifically explain how his contributions were of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_01_B2203; source_row=45023 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO finds substantial merit established but concludes national importance is not established: the record contains unresolved inconsistencies (consultancy vs. standardized framework), improperly relies on the importance of the AI industry rather than the specific endeavor, and lacks evidence of broader national/global implications, job creation specifics, or substantial positive economic effects in an economically depressed…
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
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AAO finds substantial merit established but concludes national importance is not established: the record contains unresolved inconsistencies (consultancy vs. standardized framework), improperly relies on the importance of the AI industry rather than the specific endeavor, and lacks evidence of broader national/global implications, job creation specifics, or substantial positive economic effects in an economically depressed area.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-16_03_B5203; source_row=45049 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c