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 17861–17870

EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that photography is not a performing art and therefore this criterion does not apply. Even setting that aside, the documentation was insufficient: some certificates postdated the filing, sale amounts were nominal (~$1,097), and listings for sale do not evidence commercial success.

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AAO found that photography is not a performing art and therefore this criterion does not apply. Even setting that aside, the documentation was insufficient: some certificates postdated the filing, sale amounts were nominal (~$1,097), and listings for sale do not evidence commercial success.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-15_01_B2203; source_row=20453
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the Petitioner's work had been displayed in several artistic exhibitions, satisfying this criterion.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's work had been displayed in several artistic exhibitions, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-15_01_B2203; source_row=20452
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the individual in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the photography quarterly is a professional publication, the entry focuses on the Petitioner's work, and the submission includes the required title, date, and author, satisfying this criterion.

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AAO found that the photography quarterly is a professional publication, the entry focuses on the Petitioner's work, and the submission includes the required title, date, and author, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-15_01_B2203; source_row=20449
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO did not reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in passing that the record in aggregate would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.

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AAO did not reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in passing that the record in aggregate would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-15_01_B2203; source_row=20454
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Beneficiary graduated in 1994 from an institution that was not accredited until 2005. A foreign degree must be accredited by a comparable system of accreditation to qualify as the foreign equivalent of a U.S. advanced degree, so a pre-accreditation degree from that institution cannot qualify.

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The Beneficiary graduated in 1994 from an institution that was not accredited until 2005. A foreign degree must be accredited by a comparable system of accreditation to qualify as the foreign equivalent of a U.S. advanced degree, so a pre-accreditation degree from that institution cannot qualify.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-08_01_B5203; source_row=20446
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not pay the full proffered wage in any of the relevant years (2013–2015), and did not submit required financial documentation (Form 990, annual reports, or audited financial statements) to otherwise establish ability to pay. The housing allowance could not be counted toward the offered wage. Magnitude of business activities evidence was also insufficient.

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The Petitioner did not pay the full proffered wage in any of the relevant years (2013–2015), and did not submit required financial documentation (Form 990, annual reports, or audited financial statements) to otherwise establish ability to pay. The housing allowance could not be counted toward the offered wage. Magnitude of business activities evidence was also insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-08_01_B5203; source_row=20445
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the consistent acclaim garnered by his projects, recognition that followed him across employers, and his role as judge and panelist established him as among the very top of his field.

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AAO found that the consistent acclaim garnered by his projects, recognition that followed him across employers, and his role as judge and panelist established him as among the very top of his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-06_01_B2203; source_row=20441
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the individual in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO determined the article contained substantive information about the Petitioner and his work, and that the publication qualifies as major media with over 100 million monthly visits.

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AAO determined the article contained substantive information about the Petitioner and his work, and that the publication qualifies as major media with over 100 million monthly visits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-06_01_B2203; source_row=20438
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the Petitioner served as a judge for three industry competitions, satisfying this criterion.

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AAO agreed the Petitioner served as a judge for three industry competitions, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-06_01_B2203; source_row=20439
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the Petitioner demonstrated his leading role as head of the design department at a distinguished company.

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AAO agreed the Petitioner demonstrated his leading role as head of the design department at a distinguished company.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-07-06_01_B2203; source_row=20440
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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