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 17821–17830
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original artistic contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
Letters of support praised the Beneficiary highly but none claimed his techniques were original or emulated industry-wide; none described explicit influence on the field or identified specific individuals or companies that adopted his methods; and the expert evaluation was based on the same testimonial letters and CV rather than independent evidence.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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Letters of support praised the Beneficiary highly but none claimed his techniques were original or emulated industry-wide; none described explicit influence on the field or identified specific individuals or companies that adopted his methods; and the expert evaluation was based on the same testimonial letters and CV rather than independent evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-02_01_B2203; source_row=20499 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Why AAO was not persuaded
Although the AAO noted the Director was wrong that the Petitioner's name did not appear, it found that company newsletters are not professional or major trade publications or other major media, and thus the criterion is not met.
Why this is useful
See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.
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Although the AAO noted the Director was wrong that the Petitioner's name did not appear, it found that company newsletters are not professional or major trade publications or other major media, and thus the criterion is not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-01_02_B2203; source_row=20488 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO stated that even though a formal final merits determination was not required given the failure to meet three criteria, the record in aggregate does not demonstrate the level of expertise required for the classification.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO stated that even though a formal final merits determination was not required given the failure to meet three criteria, the record in aggregate does not demonstrate the level of expertise required for the classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-01_02_B2203; source_row=20492 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
The association's own representative stated membership is open to anyone, and the Petitioner failed to submit primary evidence of membership requirements. Open membership does not qualify because there is no determination of outstanding achievements by recognized judges.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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The association's own representative stated membership is open to anyone, and the Petitioner failed to submit primary evidence of membership requirements. Open membership does not qualify because there is no determination of outstanding achievements by recognized judges.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-01_01_B2203; source_row=20480 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 noted that even if it were to conduct a final merits review, the record does not establish the level of expertise indicating one of the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO noted that even if it were to conduct a final merits review, the record does not establish the level of expertise indicating one of the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-01_01_B2203; source_row=20483 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The Petitioner did not demonstrate that a U.S. Open award is reported by major media, enjoys familiar recognition, or garners a significant cash prize. The five-star rating merely signifies venue quality, and there are other five-star tournaments, so the U.S. Open is not shown to be a major, internationally recognized award.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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The Petitioner did not demonstrate that a U.S. Open award is reported by major media, enjoys familiar recognition, or garners a significant cash prize. The five-star rating merely signifies venue quality, and there are other five-star tournaments, so the U.S. Open is not shown to be a major, internationally recognized award.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-01_01_B2203; source_row=20478 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
ability to pay proffered wages for multiple sponsored workers
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that even accounting for beneficiaries who adjusted status or whose petitions were withdrawn, the Petitioner failed to submit complete wage documentation and the aggregate wage shortfalls ($356,610.78 in 2014; $154,447.70 in 2015) exceeded both net income and net current assets.…
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO found that even accounting for beneficiaries who adjusted status or whose petitions were withdrawn, the Petitioner failed to submit complete wage documentation and the aggregate wage shortfalls ($356,610.78 in 2014; $154,447.70 in 2015) exceeded both net income and net current assets. AAO also rejected combining these two financial measures as impermissible double-counting and found that the Sonegawa totality-of-circumstances analysis did not favor the Petitioner due to insufficient evidence of industry reputation, uncharacteristic expenses, or historical growth patterns.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-01_01_B5203; source_row=20484 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Why AAO was not persuaded
Although the AAO noted the Petitioner was listed as author of a newsletter piece, it found the piece was not scholarly (not peer-reviewed, no references) and the company newsletter is not a professional or major trade publication or other major media.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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Although the AAO noted the Petitioner was listed as author of a newsletter piece, it found the piece was not scholarly (not peer-reviewed, no references) and the company newsletter is not a professional or major trade publication or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-01_02_B2203; source_row=20491 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c