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 17211730

EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

one-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Director concluded the record does not establish receipt of a one-time major internationally recognized award, and the Petitioner did not challenge this finding on appeal.

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The Director concluded the record does not establish receipt of a one-time major internationally recognized award, and the Petitioner did not challenge this finding on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_01_B2203; source_row=42553
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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

Although technically reserved, AAO reviewed the record in the aggregate and concluded it does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the top of the field.

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Although technically reserved, AAO reviewed the record in the aggregate and concluded it does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_01_B2203; source_row=42564
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to establish that any of the referenced documents are nationally or internationally recognized. Receipt of multiple relatively insignificant awards from different locales does not make them nationally or internationally significant in the aggregate.

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The Petitioner failed to establish that any of the referenced documents are nationally or internationally recognized. Receipt of multiple relatively insignificant awards from different locales does not make them nationally or internationally significant in the aggregate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_01_B2203; source_row=42554
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 in major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacked sufficient certified English transcripts of interviews listed as URLs, and the Petitioner failed to establish that publishing entities qualify as professional or major trade publications or other major media. Translations via Google Translate or ChatGPT do not satisfy the regulatory certification requirements. A promotional webpage dated 2012 had minimal probative value.

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The record lacked sufficient certified English transcripts of interviews listed as URLs, and the Petitioner failed to establish that publishing entities qualify as professional or major trade publications or other major media. Translations via Google Translate or ChatGPT do not satisfy the regulatory certification requirements. A promotional webpage dated 2012 had minimal probative value.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_01_B2203; source_row=42556
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years of progressive experience as bachelor's degree equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

The expert opinion letter from Professor M-R- stated the Petitioner began a U.S. apprenticeship in 2022, directly contradicting the employment letter from H-A-C- indicating full-time work abroad during that same period. These contradictions undermined the reliability of the expert letters in establishing continuous progressive experience.

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The expert opinion letter from Professor M-R- stated the Petitioner began a U.S. apprenticeship in 2022, directly contradicting the employment letter from H-A-C- indicating full-time work abroad during that same period. These contradictions undermined the reliability of the expert letters in establishing continuous progressive experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_06_B5203; source_row=42609
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Foreign degree equivalency to U.S. bachelor's degree

Why AAO was not persuaded

The credential evaluation provided only a summary determination and a list of courses without any narrative explanation for why the degree equates to a U.S. bachelor's degree in Sports Science, rendering it of minimal probative value.

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The credential evaluation provided only a summary determination and a list of courses without any narrative explanation for why the degree equates to a U.S. bachelor's degree in Sports Science, rendering it of minimal probative value.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_06_B5203; source_row=42608
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in professional associations (criterion E)

Why AAO was not persuaded

Even with the updated membership certificate on appeal, the Petitioner failed to show that the association requires its members to be professionals or that membership requires outstanding achievements. The description indicated only 36 members organized to promote Chinese culture.

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Even with the updated membership certificate on appeal, the Petitioner failed to show that the association requires its members to be professionals or that membership requires outstanding achievements. The description indicated only 36 members organized to promote Chinese culture.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_06_B5203; source_row=42613
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 adopted and affirmed the Director's decision on prong one. The Petitioner's role is as an instructor, not as a founder or administrator of the college. Even if his role were broader, the Petitioner did not establish the college would generate sufficient revenue or create enough U.S. jobs for national importance. Teaching activities in one organization do not rise to the level of national importance.

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 adopted and affirmed the Director's decision on prong one. The Petitioner's role is as an instructor, not as a founder or administrator of the college. Even if his role were broader, the Petitioner did not establish the college would generate sufficient revenue or create enough U.S. jobs for national importance. Teaching activities in one organization do not rise to the level of national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_06_B5203; source_row=42615
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

AAO found the recommendation letters were complimentary of the Petitioner's talents but did not sufficiently explain how her work represented original contributions of major significance in the field, providing little detail beyond describing her abilities and attributes.

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 recommendation letters were complimentary of the Petitioner's talents but did not sufficiently explain how her work represented original contributions of major significance in the field, providing little detail beyond describing her abilities and attributes.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_03_B2203; source_row=42588
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

AAO agreed the awards were not reflective of excellence in the field of acting: the vocal performance award was not indicative of national/international recognition in acting and was received after the petition filing date; the festival diploma lacked evidence it was recognized nationally/internationally for excellence in acting; the Unity and Friendship Badge and Certificate of Honor were not specific to excellence in acting.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed the awards were not reflective of excellence in the field of acting: the vocal performance award was not indicative of national/international recognition in acting and was received after the petition filing date; the festival diploma lacked evidence it was recognized nationally/internationally for excellence in acting; the Unity and Friendship Badge and Certificate of Honor were not specific to excellence in acting.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_03_B2203; source_row=42584
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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