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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 17551–17560

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 discussed the Petitioner's skills but did not identify original contributions of major significance; the letters did not explain how her techniques were original or of major significance to the field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the recommendation letters discussed the Petitioner's skills but did not identify original contributions of major significance; the letters did not explain how her techniques were original or of major significance to the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-17_01_B2203; source_row=20773
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the membership requirements were not tantamount to outstanding achievements reflecting recognition in the field of expertise.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the membership requirements were not tantamount to outstanding achievements reflecting recognition in the field of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-17_01_B2203; source_row=20771
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not establish the VCD garnered critical acclaim, favorable press reviews, or significant sales consistent with national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner did not establish the VCD garnered critical acclaim, favorable press reviews, or significant sales consistent with national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-17_01_B2203; source_row=20776
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that holding the concertmaster role for student ensembles did not indicate that the Petitioner had risen to the very top of her field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that holding the concertmaster role for student ensembles did not indicate that the Petitioner had risen to the very top of her field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-17_01_B2203; source_row=20775
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's performances as a member of orchestras at concert venues satisfied the display at artistic exhibitions or showcases criterion at step 1.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the Petitioner's performances as a member of orchestras at concert venues satisfied the display at artistic exhibitions or showcases criterion at step 1.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-17_01_B2203; source_row=20774
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

AAO found that the Petitioner's awards were primarily from student or age-restricted competitions, her judging was of aspiring students rather than acclaimed violinists, her performances were mostly at academic institutions or as an orchestral member without top billing, and her concertmaster roles were in student ensembles.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the Petitioner's awards were primarily from student or age-restricted competitions, her judging was of aspiring students rather than acclaimed violinists, her performances were mostly at academic institutions or as an orchestral member without top billing, and her concertmaster roles were in student ensembles. Collectively, the record did not show the sustained national or international acclaim required for the extraordinary ability classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-17_01_B2203; source_row=20777
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serve national interest to a substantially greater degree than an available U.S. worker (past record of demonstrable achievement with influence on the field)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found Petitioner did not demonstrate influence on the field as a whole; he provided no documentation showing his role in cited projects or that any materials he developed had been widely disseminated. AAO also noted that arguments about his superior qualifications relative to other workers fall within DOL labor certification jurisdiction.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO found Petitioner did not demonstrate influence on the field as a whole; he provided no documentation showing his role in cited projects or that any materials he developed had been widely disseminated. AAO also noted that arguments about his superior qualifications relative to other workers fall within DOL labor certification jurisdiction.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-14_01_B5203; source_row=20769
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO noted the director found the Petitioner's proposed work in African French language instruction has substantial intrinsic merit, and AAO did not disturb that finding.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO noted the director found the Petitioner's proposed work in African French language instruction has substantial intrinsic merit, and AAO did not disturb that finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-14_01_B5203; source_row=20767
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the Petitioner did not show that his work as a subject matter expert on distance learning products or as a language instructor would be disseminated nationally or significantly impact the relevant agency. Merely participating in a federally requisitioned project is insufficient.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
AAO concluded the Petitioner did not show that his work as a subject matter expert on distance learning products or as a language instructor would be disseminated nationally or significantly impact the relevant agency. Merely participating in a federally requisitioned project is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-14_01_B5203; source_row=20768
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serving the national interest to a substantially greater degree than an available U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the evidence demonstrated that the Petitioner is an effective and respected teacher but did not show influence on the field of education as a whole; teacher shortages are addressed through labor certification, and academic performance and useful skills do not satisfy the third prong.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO concluded the evidence demonstrated that the Petitioner is an effective and respected teacher but did not show influence on the field of education as a whole; teacher shortages are addressed through labor certification, and academic performance and useful skills do not satisfy the third prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-10-12_02_B5203; source_row=20761
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment