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 17391–17400
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
OtherPhysician
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the published material mainly concerns political activism rather than journalism; the only qualifying journalism article is from 2006; judging experience (student theses in 1999) does not set her apart from others; and her leading roles and acclaim have not been sustained since 2009. The totality of evidence does not demonstrate she is among the small percentage at the very top of the journalistic field.
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AAO found that the published material mainly concerns political activism rather than journalism; the only qualifying journalism article is from 2006; judging experience (student theses in 1999) does not set her apart from others; and her leading roles and acclaim have not been sustained since 2009. The totality of evidence does not demonstrate she is among the small percentage at the very top of the journalistic field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-13_01_B2203; source_row=20946 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
OtherEngineer
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial intrinsic merit
Why the evidence was persuasive
The Petitioner submitted documentation showing that his work as a corrosion engineer is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit, including information on the importance of highway bridge conditions and the financial costs and risks of corrosion on U.S. bridge infrastructure.
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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The Petitioner submitted documentation showing that his work as a corrosion engineer is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit, including information on the importance of highway bridge conditions and the financial costs and risks of corrosion on U.S. bridge infrastructure.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-12_01_B5203; source_row=20940 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
OtherEngineer
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
serving the national interest to a substantially greater degree than a U.S. worker
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found the Director applied the wrong standard by requiring 'major significance' rather than 'a degree of influence on the field as a whole.' The Petitioner's citation record, reference letters from researchers who directly implemented his findings, and practical application in industry and government settings collectively demonstrated the required degree of influence to justify a projection of substantially greater nati…
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
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AAO found the Director applied the wrong standard by requiring 'major significance' rather than 'a degree of influence on the field as a whole.' The Petitioner's citation record, reference letters from researchers who directly implemented his findings, and practical application in industry and government settings collectively demonstrated the required degree of influence to justify a projection of substantially greater national interest benefit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-12_01_B5203; source_row=20942 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
OtherEngineer
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
national in scope
Why the evidence was persuasive
The Petitioner provided evidence that his corrosion engineering work extended to multiple states and that his peer-reviewed publications were cited by independent researchers in numerous countries, demonstrating both national and international scope.
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 provided evidence that his corrosion engineering work extended to multiple states and that his peer-reviewed publications were cited by independent researchers in numerous countries, demonstrating both national and international scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-12_01_B5203; source_row=20941 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The letter described the Petitioner's qualifications and experience but did not indicate that she performed in a leading or critical role for the organization.
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The letter described the Petitioner's qualifications and experience but did not indicate that she performed in a leading or critical role for the organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-06_01_B2203; source_row=20934 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other59 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions
Why AAO was not persuaded
The recommendation letters discussed the Petitioner's skills and experience but did not identify original contributions of major significance in the field.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The recommendation letters discussed the Petitioner's skills and experience but did not identify original contributions of major significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-06_01_B2203; source_row=20932 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The Petitioner did not submit the organization's regulations to demonstrate that membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by nationally or internationally recognized experts.
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The Petitioner did not submit the organization's regulations to demonstrate that membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by nationally or internationally recognized experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-06_01_B2203; source_row=20930 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Ability to pay based on net income or net current assets from required financial documents
Why AAO was not persuaded
No audited financial statements, federal tax returns, or annual reports were submitted for the pertinent years (2015 onward). Unaudited statements do not comply with 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2). Bank statements are not among the enumerated types of required evidence and cannot demonstrate sustainable ability to pay.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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No audited financial statements, federal tax returns, or annual reports were submitted for the pertinent years (2015 onward). Unaudited statements do not comply with 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2). Bank statements are not among the enumerated types of required evidence and cannot demonstrate sustainable ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-06_01_B5203; source_row=20938 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Ability to pay based on wages actually paid to beneficiary
Why AAO was not persuaded
The W-2 showed $77,602.46, which is below the proffered wage. The Petitioner did not explain why the W-2 amount is over $11,000 less than the total compensation statement figure, and the higher figures appeared to include non-guaranteed incentive pay. Even using the Petitioner's preferred $88,997.40 figure, the amount still fell short of $91,333.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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The W-2 showed $77,602.46, which is below the proffered wage. The Petitioner did not explain why the W-2 amount is over $11,000 less than the total compensation statement figure, and the higher figures appeared to include non-guaranteed incentive pay. Even using the Petitioner's preferred $88,997.40 figure, the amount still fell short of $91,333.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-06_01_B5203; source_row=20937 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Ability to pay based on totality of circumstances (Sonegawa)
Why AAO was not persuaded
The available audited financials showed net losses in 2014 and net current liabilities of approximately $6 million; no data existed for years before 2013 to demonstrate a historical growth pattern. Additionally, the Petitioner filed five other I-140 petitions in 2014 and one in 2011 but provided no information about those beneficiaries' wages or immigration status, preventing assessment of total wage obligations.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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The available audited financials showed net losses in 2014 and net current liabilities of approximately $6 million; no data existed for years before 2013 to demonstrate a historical growth pattern. Additionally, the Petitioner filed five other I-140 petitions in 2014 and one in 2011 but provided no information about those beneficiaries' wages or immigration status, preventing assessment of total wage obligations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-06_01_B5203; source_row=20939 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c