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 17621–17630

EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherProfessor

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letter from the association's former president did not address membership requirements, and the Petitioner herself acknowledged the association does not require outstanding achievements. As for the fellowship, the certificate was dated after the appeal was filed, eligibility must be established at the time of filing, and the Petitioner failed to submit membership requirements or bylaws.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The letter from the association's former president did not address membership requirements, and the Petitioner herself acknowledged the association does not require outstanding achievements. As for the fellowship, the certificate was dated after the appeal was filed, eligibility must be established at the time of filing, and the Petitioner failed to submit membership requirements or bylaws.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-26_01_B2203; source_row=20699
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherProfessor

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letter from the association president offered historical background and eligibility criteria for the merit badge but did not demonstrate that the award is nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field as required by the regulation.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The letter from the association president offered historical background and eligibility criteria for the merit badge but did not demonstrate that the award is nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field as required by the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-26_01_B2203; source_row=20698
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherProfessor

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

The ranking document submitted by the Petitioner did not identify its source or confirm the claimed rankings. The association's journal was not shown to be highly ranked, and the Petitioner did not otherwise establish that the organization has a distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The ranking document submitted by the Petitioner did not identify its source or confirm the claimed rankings. The association's journal was not shown to be highly ranked, and the Petitioner did not otherwise establish that the organization has a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-26_01_B2203; source_row=20702
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherProfessor

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record documented the Petitioner's authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications, confirming the Director's finding.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

View full reasoning +
The record documented the Petitioner's authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications, confirming the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-26_01_B2203; source_row=20701
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherProfessor

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the new evidence submitted on appeal — documentation of peer review of scholarly articles for professional journals — was sufficient to establish that the Petitioner participated in judging the work of others.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the new evidence submitted on appeal — documentation of peer review of scholarly articles for professional journals — was sufficient to establish that the Petitioner participated in judging the work of others.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-26_01_B2203; source_row=20700
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherProfessor

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a full final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in passing that the aggregate record does not support a finding of extraordinary ability.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to conduct a full final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in passing that the aggregate record does not support a finding of extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-26_01_B2203; source_row=20703
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

Working in multiple geographic jurisdictions does not make an individual classroom teacher's work national in scope; her work does not significantly contribute to national educational goals at a nationally significant level, consistent with NYSDOT's example of an elementary school teacher.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Working in multiple geographic jurisdictions does not make an individual classroom teacher's work national in scope; her work does not significantly contribute to national educational goals at a nationally significant level, consistent with NYSDOT's example of an elementary school teacher.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-20_01_B5203; source_row=20695
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest served to a substantially greater degree than a U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letters indicate she is a well-liked and conscientious teacher with a lengthy career but do not claim she has had an impact on the field of teaching as a whole, and the materials do not set her apart from other competent and qualified teachers.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The recommendation letters indicate she is a well-liked and conscientious teacher with a lengthy career but do not claim she has had an impact on the field of teaching as a whole, and the materials do not set her apart from other competent and qualified teachers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-20_01_B5203; source_row=20696
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found sufficient documentation in the record to overcome the Director's finding, even though the Petitioner did not contest it on appeal.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found sufficient documentation in the record to overcome the Director's finding, even though the Petitioner did not contest it on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-20_01_B5203; source_row=20697
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO confirmed the Petitioner's work as a teacher is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit and that she holds an advanced degree.

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 confirmed the Petitioner's work as a teacher is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit and that she holds an advanced degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-20_01_B5203; source_row=20694
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment