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 17511–17520

EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The article lacked a required full English translation and the record did not demonstrate that the publication is a professional or major trade publication or major media.

Why this is useful

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The article lacked a required full English translation and the record did not demonstrate that the publication is a professional or major trade publication or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-27_01_B2203; source_row=20813
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

Several certificates lacked properly certified translations. The single translation certification provided was insufficiently specific. Even setting aside translation issues, the Petitioner failed to provide documentary evidence demonstrating that any of the certificates constitute nationally or internationally recognized awards for excellence, as opposed to mere acknowledgments of participation or donations.

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Several certificates lacked properly certified translations. The single translation certification provided was insufficiently specific. Even setting aside translation issues, the Petitioner failed to provide documentary evidence demonstrating that any of the certificates constitute nationally or internationally recognized awards for excellence, as opposed to mere acknowledgments of participation or donations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-27_01_B2203; source_row=20809
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not demonstrate that his project-level duties constituted a leading or critical role for the company as a whole, did not provide an organizational chart to establish his place in the hierarchy, and did not show his employer had a distinguished reputation in the industry.

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The Petitioner did not demonstrate that his project-level duties constituted a leading or critical role for the company as a whole, did not provide an organizational chart to establish his place in the hierarchy, and did not show his employer had a distinguished reputation in the industry.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-27_01_B2203; source_row=20815
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the step-two threshold was not reached due to failure to meet three criteria, but additionally noted in the aggregate the record does not support the requisite level of expertise.

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AAO found the step-two threshold was not reached due to failure to meet three criteria, but additionally noted in the aggregate the record does not support the requisite level of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-27_01_B2203; source_row=20816
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

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

The article lacked a properly certified English translation, the author was not identified, and the record did not include objective evidence that the publication is a professional or major trade publication or other major media.

Why this is useful

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The article lacked a properly certified English translation, the author was not identified, and the record did not include objective evidence that the publication is a professional or major trade publication or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-27_01_B2203; source_row=20811
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

totality of circumstances under Matter of Sonegawa

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted no new evidence rebutting prior findings, did not document claimed clinical/marketing improvements, showed gross-income decline from 2010 to 2014 with unresolved inconsistencies in 2011-2012 returns, paid only one of multiple federal tax liens totaling over $500,000, and provided no proffered/actual wage data for 11 other I-140 beneficiaries.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner submitted no new evidence rebutting prior findings, did not document claimed clinical/marketing improvements, showed gross-income decline from 2010 to 2014 with unresolved inconsistencies in 2011-2012 returns, paid only one of multiple federal tax liens totaling over $500,000, and provided no proffered/actual wage data for 11 other I-140 beneficiaries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-27_01_B5203; source_row=20817
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Bona fide job opportunity open to U.S. workers

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the DOL had not audited the application, so its approval did not reflect consideration of the bona fides issue. The Beneficiary's role as a corporate officer, one of a small group of employees, a recruiter, and the only employee near the U.S. office demonstrated his ability to influence hiring, rendering the labor certification non-compliant with DOL regulations requiring a bona fide job opportunity.

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AAO found that the DOL had not audited the application, so its approval did not reflect consideration of the bona fides issue. The Beneficiary's role as a corporate officer, one of a small group of employees, a recruiter, and the only employee near the U.S. office demonstrated his ability to influence hiring, rendering the labor certification non-compliant with DOL regulations requiring a bona fide job opportunity.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-27_02_B5203; source_row=20818
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary's educational qualifications as specified on labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The labor certification specified a master's degree with no acceptable alternate combination of education and experience. The new evaluations established only a bachelor's-level equivalent plus experience, not a full master's degree equivalent, and therefore did not satisfy the labor certification's minimum education requirement.

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The labor certification specified a master's degree with no acceptable alternate combination of education and experience. The new evaluations established only a bachelor's-level equivalent plus experience, not a full master's degree equivalent, and therefore did not satisfy the labor certification's minimum education requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-27_02_B5203; source_row=20819
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

Although the Petitioner did not claim this criterion on appeal, the record contained photographs and certificates showing his sculptures were displayed at artistic exhibitions, so AAO found it met.

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Although the Petitioner did not claim this criterion on appeal, the record contained photographs and certificates showing his sculptures were displayed at artistic exhibitions, so AAO found it met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-27_01_B2203; source_row=20814
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

AAO withdrew the Director's finding, holding that the email offered as evidence did not establish the Petitioner served as a formal judge. The email lacked sufficient information showing he served in the capacity of 'a judge' or describing what was being judged.

Why this is useful

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding, holding that the email offered as evidence did not establish the Petitioner served as a formal judge. The email lacked sufficient information showing he served in the capacity of 'a judge' or describing what was being judged.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-25_01_B2203; source_row=20798
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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