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 19061–19070

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / EnergyFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the petitioner's service as a peer reviewer satisfies this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed that the petitioner's service as a peer reviewer satisfies this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-16_03_B2203; source_row=19185
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / EnergyFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

Petitioner did not contest the director's findings on appeal, so AAO treated the issue as abandoned.

Why this is useful

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

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Petitioner did not contest the director's findings on appeal, so AAO treated the issue as abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-16_03_B2203; source_row=19186
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The reference letters were primarily conclusory and vague, failing to show the lesson plans were original or had a major impact on the sport. Coaching a former No. 1 player did not constitute a contribution of major significance in the field as a whole, especially absent evidence of major prizes or awards won under the beneficiary's tutelage.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The reference letters were primarily conclusory and vague, failing to show the lesson plans were original or had a major impact on the sport. Coaching a former No. 1 player did not constitute a contribution of major significance in the field as a whole, especially absent evidence of major prizes or awards won under the beneficiary's tutelage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=19165
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

one-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

The award postdated the petition filing and was regional in nature. The petitioner did not show the award is recognized nationally or internationally or that it rises to the level of a major, internationally recognized award comparable to a Nobel Prize.

Why this is useful

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

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The award postdated the petition filing and was regional in nature. The petitioner did not show the award is recognized nationally or internationally or that it rises to the level of a major, internationally recognized award comparable to a Nobel Prize.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=19163
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Coach of the Year Award postdated the filing and was regional. The beneficiary's player-era certificates and awards were also regional and pertained to competitive athletics rather than coaching, which are not the same area of expertise.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Coach of the Year Award postdated the filing and was regional. The beneficiary's player-era certificates and awards were also regional and pertained to competitive athletics rather than coaching, which are not the same area of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=19164
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the petitioner did not specifically assert this criterion, the record contained potentially relevant evidence. AAO found the petitioner did not submit specific evidence of the beneficiary's duties or his impact on the organizations, so the criterion was not met.

Why this is useful

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

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Although the petitioner did not specifically assert this criterion, the record contained potentially relevant evidence. AAO found the petitioner did not submit specific evidence of the beneficiary's duties or his impact on the organizations, so the criterion was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=19166
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 declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the petitioner failed Step 1, but noted in the alternative that the aggregate evidence did not support a finding of extraordinary ability.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the petitioner failed Step 1, but noted in the alternative that the aggregate evidence did not support a finding of extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=19167
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

Examining wages paid, net income, net current assets, and the totality of circumstances under Sonegawa, AAO concluded the petitioner could not pay the combined $137,550 in proffered wages to the beneficiary and two other sponsored workers in 2013.

Why this is useful

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

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Examining wages paid, net income, net current assets, and the totality of circumstances under Sonegawa, AAO concluded the petitioner could not pay the combined $137,550 in proffered wages to the beneficiary and two other sponsored workers in 2013.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-13_03_B5203; source_row=19173
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

bona fide job opportunity

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted the explanations and supporting documentation submitted in response to its NDI as more likely than not establishing a bona fide job offer.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO accepted the explanations and supporting documentation submitted in response to its NDI as more likely than not establishing a bona fide job offer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-13_03_B5203; source_row=19172
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

successor-in-interest relationship with new parent company

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO identified the successor-in-interest issue as unresolved, noting that if the new acquiring entity is different from the petitioner/labor certification employer, it must establish a valid successor-in-interest relationship. The record lacked sufficient information to resolve this question.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO identified the successor-in-interest issue as unresolved, noting that if the new acquiring entity is different from the petitioner/labor certification employer, it must establish a valid successor-in-interest relationship. The record lacked sufficient information to resolve this question.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-03-13_01_B5203; source_row=19170
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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