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 17741–17750

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

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner did not show any of the awards or grants are recognized beyond the issuing entities on a national or international level. Many were limited to students in specific academic programs, and research grants fund future work rather than honor past excellence.

Why this is useful

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

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Petitioner did not show any of the awards or grants are recognized beyond the issuing entities on a national or international level. Many were limited to students in specific academic programs, and research grants fund future work rather than honor past excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_02_B2203; source_row=20570
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted invitations to review manuscripts but did not provide documentation that he actually accepted the invitations and reviewed the manuscripts. His CV listed the journals as having 'requested' his review, not that he served as a reviewer.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner submitted invitations to review manuscripts but did not provide documentation that he actually accepted the invitations and reviewed the manuscripts. His CV listed the journals as having 'requested' his review, not that he served as a reviewer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_02_B2203; source_row=20573
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner joined one association after filing the petition, so it cannot be credited. For the other two associations listed in his CV, he submitted no documentation verifying membership or showing they require outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts.

Why this is useful

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

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Petitioner joined one association after filing the petition, so it cannot be credited. For the other two associations listed in his CV, he submitted no documentation verifying membership or showing they require outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_02_B2203; source_row=20571
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 of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

While reference letters indicated the research is original, the Petitioner did not provide persuasive evidence of major significance. AAO addressed this in the final merits determination, finding that the field's response (limited citations, future-oriented references) did not demonstrate current major significance.

Why this is useful

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

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While reference letters indicated the research is original, the Petitioner did not provide persuasive evidence of major significance. AAO addressed this in the final merits determination, finding that the field's response (limited citations, future-oriented references) did not demonstrate current major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_02_B2203; source_row=20574
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 about the alien

Why AAO was not persuaded

The published materials summarized and explained the Petitioner's research findings but were not 'about him' as required under the plain language of the criterion; they did not offer information on his educational, training, or employment history, or other facts specifically about him.

Why this is useful

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

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The published materials summarized and explained the Petitioner's research findings but were not 'about him' as required under the plain language of the criterion; they did not offer information on his educational, training, or employment history, or other facts specifically about him.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_02_B2203; source_row=20572
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record showed the Petitioner conducted educational events and answered questions, but did not substantiate his claim that he judged the work of attendees. The transcripts of online chats showed he answered questions and offered suggestions but did not show judging of others' work. Unsupported self-assertions are insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The record showed the Petitioner conducted educational events and answered questions, but did not substantiate his claim that he judged the work of attendees. The transcripts of online chats showed he answered questions and offered suggestions but did not show judging of others' work. Unsupported self-assertions are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_03_B2203; source_row=20578
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 of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The manual was an unpublished PowerPoint teaching aid and none of the reference letters discussed how it influenced the field as a whole. The letters praised the Petitioner's knowledge and importance to employers and clients but did not address original contributions of major significance beyond his immediate collaborators and customers.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The manual was an unpublished PowerPoint teaching aid and none of the reference letters discussed how it influenced the field as a whole. The letters praised the Petitioner's knowledge and importance to employers and clients but did not address original contributions of major significance beyond his immediate collaborators and customers. Being experienced or knowledgeable is not the same as making original contributions of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_03_B2203; source_row=20579
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 for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although reference letters praised the Petitioner's performance and roles, the record lacked sufficient evidence that any of the relevant organizations had a distinguished reputation. One employer even acknowledged his company was not a big distinguished or world-renowned company. Materials submitted did not objectively corroborate the distinguished reputation of the other organizations.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Although reference letters praised the Petitioner's performance and roles, the record lacked sufficient evidence that any of the relevant organizations had a distinguished reputation. One employer even acknowledged his company was not a big distinguished or world-renowned company. Materials submitted did not objectively corroborate the distinguished reputation of the other organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_03_B2203; source_row=20581
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

Bank statements did not establish the funds were salary or remuneration. The submitted financial printout showed a net of only $2,063.29 in client fees. Even assuming earnings in excess of $90k, the Petitioner only marginally exceeded average wages for financial specialists and provided no comparison data on the higher end of the salary spectrum or on educator salaries.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Bank statements did not establish the funds were salary or remuneration. The submitted financial printout showed a net of only $2,063.29 in client fees. Even assuming earnings in excess of $90k, the Petitioner only marginally exceeded average wages for financial specialists and provided no comparison data on the higher end of the salary spectrum or on educator salaries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_03_B2203; source_row=20582
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner passed standardized exams, which do not constitute membership in an association. A letter from his former employer clarified that the firm, not the Petitioner personally, held membership or registrant status in the relevant organizations.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner passed standardized exams, which do not constitute membership in an association. A letter from his former employer clarified that the firm, not the Petitioner personally, held membership or registrant status in the relevant organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-23_03_B2203; source_row=20577
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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