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 18361–18370

NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions by peers, governmental entities, or professional or business organizations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Beneficiary's patents, industry awards accepted on the company's behalf, and letters from industry partners attesting to the significance of his innovations collectively established recognition for his achievements and significant contributions to the field.

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AAO found that the Beneficiary's patents, industry awards accepted on the company's behalf, and letters from industry partners attesting to the significance of his innovations collectively established recognition for his achievements and significant contributions to the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-12-01_01_B5203; source_row=19925
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years of full-time experience

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner provided an employment letter and other evidence demonstrating that the Beneficiary has worked in his current occupation for at least ten years.

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The Petitioner provided an employment letter and other evidence demonstrating that the Beneficiary has worked in his current occupation for at least ten years.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-12-01_01_B5203; source_row=19923
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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the display criterion was satisfied, consistent with the Director's finding.

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AAO agreed the display criterion was satisfied, consistent with the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-12-01_01_B2203; source_row=19920
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner did serve as a judge and that the competition rules with a certified translation sufficiently demonstrated satisfaction of the plain language requirements of criterion iv.

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AAO found the Petitioner did serve as a judge and that the competition rules with a certified translation sufficiently demonstrated satisfaction of the plain language requirements of criterion iv.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-12-01_01_B2203; source_row=19919
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion, finding that while the Petitioner showed notable success, awards were youth-oriented, circulation data derived from unreliable Wikipedia sources, expert letters lacked specifics, salary comparisons were insufficient, and media coverage did not demonstrate national or international acclaim.

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AAO agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion, finding that while the Petitioner showed notable success, awards were youth-oriented, circulation data derived from unreliable Wikipedia sources, expert letters lacked specifics, salary comparisons were insufficient, and media coverage did not demonstrate national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-12-01_01_B2203; source_row=19922
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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the leading or critical role criterion was satisfied, noting the Petitioner's roles with multiple distinguished opera and symphony organizations.

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AAO agreed the leading or critical role criterion was satisfied, noting the Petitioner's roles with multiple distinguished opera and symphony organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-12-01_01_B2203; source_row=19921
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via wages paid to beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The paystubs show the Petitioner paid the Beneficiary $73,086.66 between February 7 and December 31, 2014, which is $4,596.86 less than the prorated proffered wage. The $6,000 bonus paid in January 2015 counts toward 2015 wages, not 2014, because USCIS examines when wages were actually paid, not when the employer could deduct them.…

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The paystubs show the Petitioner paid the Beneficiary $73,086.66 between February 7 and December 31, 2014, which is $4,596.86 less than the prorated proffered wage. The $6,000 bonus paid in January 2015 counts toward 2015 wages, not 2014, because USCIS examines when wages were actually paid, not when the employer could deduct them. The Petitioner's interpretation of the Yates Memorandum was overly broad and would usurp the plain regulatory language requiring demonstration of continuing ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-11-30_02_B5203; source_row=19916
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

other

12 months of experience in the job offered as business development director

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the employer letter dated February 10, 2015 combined with the Beneficiary's W-2 forms for 2011 and 2012 established with independent objective evidence that the Beneficiary was employed as a business development director for over 12 months starting November 30, 2011, meeting the labor certification's minimum experience requirement by the priority date.

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AAO found that the employer letter dated February 10, 2015 combined with the Beneficiary's W-2 forms for 2011 and 2012 established with independent objective evidence that the Beneficiary was employed as a business development director for over 12 months starting November 30, 2011, meeting the labor certification's minimum experience requirement by the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-11-30_02_B5203; source_row=19918
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via net income / net current assets / financial statements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's 2014 federal tax return was unavailable and it provided no audited financial statements or annual reports. The parent company's financial documents were insufficient: the 2013 annual report predates the priority date and the first-half 2014 report was unaudited, rendering it unreliable.…

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The Petitioner's 2014 federal tax return was unavailable and it provided no audited financial statements or annual reports. The parent company's financial documents were insufficient: the 2013 annual report predates the priority date and the first-half 2014 report was unaudited, rendering it unreliable. Joint employer arguments under FLSA and FMLA were rejected because the professional exemption applies and the Petitioner had too few employees to be FMLA-covered. Bank statements did not provide a complete picture of cash flow without an audited statement of cash flows.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-11-30_02_B5203; source_row=19917
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the criterion was not met. The prospective pay letter was insufficient as the criterion requires already-commanded salary. The supporting documents were deficient: receipts did not identify the Petitioner, invoices did not specify her as the service provider, the CRA printout lacked preprinted identification, the check lacked proof of processing/cancellation, and banking statements did not reflect salary payments.

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AAO agreed the criterion was not met. The prospective pay letter was insufficient as the criterion requires already-commanded salary. The supporting documents were deficient: receipts did not identify the Petitioner, invoices did not specify her as the service provider, the CRA printout lacked preprinted identification, the check lacked proof of processing/cancellation, and banking statements did not reflect salary payments.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-11-25_01_B2203; source_row=19901
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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