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 18631–18640

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

AAO agreed the criterion was not met but criticized the director for improperly comparing citation counts to gauge whether the petitioner is at the 'very top of his field,' which is a step-2 final merits consideration, not a step-1 criterion analysis.…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed the criterion was not met but criticized the director for improperly comparing citation counts to gauge whether the petitioner is at the 'very top of his field,' which is a step-2 final merits consideration, not a step-1 criterion analysis. AAO found the citations, recommendation letters, and conference presentations insufficient to demonstrate contributions of major significance: the letters were vague and conclusory, failed to explain how the petitioner's work had already influenced the field as a whole, and much of the described impact was framed in terms of future or potential significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-28_01_B2203; source_row=19639
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 stated that, while a full final merits determination was not required because the petitioner failed step 1, a review of the aggregate evidence nonetheless supports a finding that the petitioner has not demonstrated the level of expertise required.

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, while a full final merits determination was not required because the petitioner failed step 1, a review of the aggregate evidence nonetheless supports a finding that the petitioner has not demonstrated the level of expertise required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-28_01_B2203; source_row=19641
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the director and AAO found that the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence establishing authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications.

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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Both the director and AAO found that the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence establishing authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-28_01_B2203; source_row=19640
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

Both the director and AAO found that the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence establishing that he meets the judging criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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Both the director and AAO found that the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence establishing that he meets the judging criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-28_01_B2203; source_row=19638
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 distinguished reputation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that letters from the Creative Director and from a company executive asserting the petitioner performed in a critical role—contributing to the company's substantial rise, brand recognition, signing of a celebrity spokesperson, and increase in web traffic—met the plain language requirements of this criterion.

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 letters from the Creative Director and from a company executive asserting the petitioner performed in a critical role—contributing to the company's substantial rise, brand recognition, signing of a celebrity spokesperson, and increase in web traffic—met the plain language requirements of this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-27_01_B2203; source_row=19636
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record contains letters supported by fliers for curated events listing the petitioner as an artist, satisfying this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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The record contains letters supported by fliers for curated events listing the petitioner as an artist, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-27_01_B2203; source_row=19635
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 the totality of evidence—exhibitions in Japan, major media coverage in Japan, critical role for an internationally recognized denim designer, and imitation of her designs—established that the petitioner is among the small percentage at the top of her field with sustained national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the totality of evidence—exhibitions in Japan, major media coverage in Japan, critical role for an internationally recognized denim designer, and imitation of her designs—established that the petitioner is among the small percentage at the top of her field with sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-27_01_B2203; source_row=19637
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

With the new evidence of circulation and distribution statistics submitted on appeal, the petitioner demonstrated that the publication qualifies as major media, satisfying this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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With the new evidence of circulation and distribution statistics submitted on appeal, the petitioner demonstrated that the publication qualifies as major media, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-27_01_B2203; source_row=19634
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner's pre-filing earnings of roughly $59,010-$60,963 were substantially below the Level 4 prevailing wages for relevant engineering occupations, and post-filing earnings, future profit-sharing arrangements, and the spouse's partnership income could not establish eligibility at the time of filing.

Why this is useful

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

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Petitioner's pre-filing earnings of roughly $59,010-$60,963 were substantially below the Level 4 prevailing wages for relevant engineering occupations, and post-filing earnings, future profit-sharing arrangements, and the spouse's partnership income could not establish eligibility at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-25_01_B5203; source_row=19632
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The support letters, including the new letter about HBB technology, describe the petitioner's expertise and contributions to particular employers/clients but do not document recognition or impact on the broader industry or field.

Why this is useful

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

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The support letters, including the new letter about HBB technology, describe the petitioner's expertise and contributions to particular employers/clients but do not document recognition or impact on the broader industry or field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-08-25_01_B5203; source_row=19633
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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