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 18081–18090

EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the Beneficiary made original contributions that benefited his employer, the Petitioner failed to show those contributions extended beyond the employer to impact the field as a whole. Expert letters were conclusory and lacked specific examples of independent adoption of the Beneficiary's methods. The limited citation evidence was insufficient to demonstrate major significance.

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Although the Beneficiary made original contributions that benefited his employer, the Petitioner failed to show those contributions extended beyond the employer to impact the field as a whole. Expert letters were conclusory and lacked specific examples of independent adoption of the Beneficiary's methods. The limited citation evidence was insufficient to demonstrate major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B2203; source_row=20215
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

Even without being required to conduct a formal final merits analysis, AAO reviewed the aggregate record and found the Beneficiary had not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim or placement in the small percentage at the very top of the field.

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Even without being required to conduct a formal final merits analysis, AAO reviewed the aggregate record and found the Beneficiary had not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim or placement in the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B2203; source_row=20219
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted salary data largely limited to the Beneficiary's local area and failed to provide sufficient national comparisons. Evidence that the Beneficiary's salary exceeded the average salary of other research scientists was insufficient to show 'high salary' or 'significantly high remuneration' nationally, especially compared to more experienced senior and principal research scientists.

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The Petitioner submitted salary data largely limited to the Beneficiary's local area and failed to provide sufficient national comparisons. Evidence that the Beneficiary's salary exceeded the average salary of other research scientists was insufficient to show 'high salary' or 'significantly high remuneration' nationally, especially compared to more experienced senior and principal research scientists.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B2203; source_row=20218
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Discrepancy between petition filings and number of employees

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found USCIS records did not support the Director's finding. After accounting for denials, revocations, rejections, extensions, and withdrawals, there was no material discrepancy between the 31 stated employees and the H-1B/I-140 petition filings, and W-2 records showed payments to most beneficiaries.

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AAO found USCIS records did not support the Director's finding. After accounting for denials, revocations, rejections, extensions, and withdrawals, there was no material discrepancy between the 31 stated employees and the H-1B/I-140 petition filings, and W-2 records showed payments to most beneficiaries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B5203; source_row=20220
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Continuing ability to pay proffered wage (including multiple pending petitions)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's 2013 net income ($103,478) and net current assets ($233,537) were insufficient to cover the $377,546.74 shortfall between proffered wages and wages paid for just the eight identified beneficiaries. The Petitioner also failed to provide information about 21 other pending petitions, precluding full ability-to-pay analysis. Bank account funds were already included in the net current assets figure.…

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AAO found the Petitioner's 2013 net income ($103,478) and net current assets ($233,537) were insufficient to cover the $377,546.74 shortfall between proffered wages and wages paid for just the eight identified beneficiaries. The Petitioner also failed to provide information about 21 other pending petitions, precluding full ability-to-pay analysis. Bank account funds were already included in the net current assets figure. Sonegawa factors did not help because the Petitioner showed no unusual losses and failed to provide full petition information.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B5203; source_row=20222
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Permanent, full-time nature of the offered position

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although AAO rejected the Director's requirement for worksite-specific contracts, AAO found the record lacked evidence of projects on which the Beneficiary could have worked from the priority date of January 25, 2013 until the September 2013 Wisconsin project began.…

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Although AAO rejected the Director's requirement for worksite-specific contracts, AAO found the record lacked evidence of projects on which the Beneficiary could have worked from the priority date of January 25, 2013 until the September 2013 Wisconsin project began. General business activity and payroll records were insufficient to establish intent to employ the Beneficiary in the specific offered position from the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B5203; source_row=20221
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director concluded the Beneficiary met this criterion and the record supports this finding, as the Beneficiary published a number of scholarly papers.

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The Director concluded the Beneficiary met this criterion and the record supports this finding, as the Beneficiary published a number of scholarly papers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B2203; source_row=20216
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

What the decision said

Not argued on appeal; deemed abandoned. AAO also noted the record did not show the Beneficiary had actually judged the work of others.

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Not argued on appeal; deemed abandoned. AAO also noted the record did not show the Beneficiary had actually judged the work of others.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B2203; source_row=20214
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards or prizes

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not argue this criterion on appeal and it was deemed abandoned. AAO also noted the record did not show the Beneficiary received a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not argue this criterion on appeal and it was deemed abandoned. AAO also noted the record did not show the Beneficiary received a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B2203; source_row=20211
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

What the decision said

Not argued on appeal; deemed abandoned. AAO also noted the record did not substantiate the Petitioner's distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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Not argued on appeal; deemed abandoned. AAO also noted the record did not substantiate the Petitioner's distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-03-14_01_B2203; source_row=20217
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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