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 19111–19120

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary met minimum requirements of offered position by priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the beneficiary's degree was not from an accredited U.S. institution, the petitioner failed to establish that the beneficiary met the labor certification's requirement of a master's degree in theology in biblical studies by the priority date.

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Because the beneficiary's degree was not from an accredited U.S. institution, the petitioner failed to establish that the beneficiary met the labor certification's requirement of a master's degree in theology in biblical studies by the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-26_02_B5203; source_row=19126
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other3 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner did not show the award is nationally or internationally recognized, the only supporting evidence came from the award-issuing entity itself (self-promotional), there was no independent journalistic coverage, and the petitioner failed to demonstrate the competitiveness of the lead category. Other certificates represent training/experience rather than prizes, and the NOLS scholarship is not a prize for excellence.

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The petitioner did not show the award is nationally or internationally recognized, the only supporting evidence came from the award-issuing entity itself (self-promotional), there was no independent journalistic coverage, and the petitioner failed to demonstrate the competitiveness of the lead category. Other certificates represent training/experience rather than prizes, and the NOLS scholarship is not a prize for excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-25_01_B2203; source_row=19121
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other3 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner was registered as a Senior Support Climber but did not show this equates to one of the five defined membership types. The general membership requirements relate to training and experience rather than outstanding achievements. The executive committee members were not shown to be recognized national or international experts.…

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The petitioner was registered as a Senior Support Climber but did not show this equates to one of the five defined membership types. The general membership requirements relate to training and experience rather than outstanding achievements. The executive committee members were not shown to be recognized national or international experts. Instructor certification is more relevant to an exceptional-ability classification and was not shown to require outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-25_01_B2203; source_row=19122
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other3 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed with the director's finding, concluding the publication was not shown to be a professional or major trade publication or major media. A print volume of 20,000 copies in an unspecified period and a self-description as a 'pioneering media house' covering lifestyle themes did not establish the magazine's qualifying status.…

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AAO disagreed with the director's finding, concluding the publication was not shown to be a professional or major trade publication or major media. A print volume of 20,000 copies in an unspecified period and a self-description as a 'pioneering media house' covering lifestyle themes did not establish the magazine's qualifying status. Other submitted materials either were not about the petitioner or lacked required translator certifications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-25_01_B2203; source_row=19123
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AIMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

possession of a U.S. Master's degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the credential evaluation was internally inconsistent (citing EDGE but contradicting it), warranting less evidentiary weight, and the record fails to establish a U.S. Master's or foreign equivalent degree.

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AAO concluded the credential evaluation was internally inconsistent (citing EDGE but contradicting it), warranting less evidentiary weight, and the record fails to establish a U.S. Master's or foreign equivalent degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-24_03_B5203; source_row=19120
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via net current assets

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's 2013 net current assets were $196,666, which was insufficient to cover the $332,272 shortfall.

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The petitioner's 2013 net current assets were $196,666, which was insufficient to cover the $332,272 shortfall.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-24_02_B5203; source_row=19118
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via net income

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's 2013 net income was only $9,907, which was insufficient to cover the $332,272 shortfall between wages paid and proffered wages.

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The petitioner's 2013 net income was only $9,907, which was insufficient to cover the $332,272 shortfall between wages paid and proffered wages.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-24_02_B5203; source_row=19117
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via totality of circumstances (Sonegawa)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO considered the overall magnitude of the petitioner's business activities but found the record lacked information on historical growth, business expenditures, industry reputation, and whether the beneficiary was replacing a prior employee. The petitioner also failed to provide complete information on eight additional beneficiaries, which would increase the total proffered wage to $985,246, more than the wages paid.…

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AAO considered the overall magnitude of the petitioner's business activities but found the record lacked information on historical growth, business expenditures, industry reputation, and whether the beneficiary was replacing a prior employee. The petitioner also failed to provide complete information on eight additional beneficiaries, which would increase the total proffered wage to $985,246, more than the wages paid. AAO concluded that the petitioner had not established ability to pay on the totality of circumstances.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-24_02_B5203; source_row=19119
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that with the additional experience letter submitted on appeal, the petitioner established six years of post-baccalaureate progressive experience satisfying the labor certification requirement.

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AAO found that with the additional experience letter submitted on appeal, the petitioner established six years of post-baccalaureate progressive experience satisfying the labor certification requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-24_02_B5203; source_row=19115
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via wages already paid to beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner paid only $213,294 in wages to all beneficiaries in 2013 against a total proffered wage obligation of $545,566, leaving a shortfall of at least $332,272 that was not covered by wages actually paid.

Why this is useful

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The petitioner paid only $213,294 in wages to all beneficiaries in 2013 against a total proffered wage obligation of $545,566, leaving a shortfall of at least $332,272 that was not covered by wages actually paid.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-24_02_B5203; source_row=19116
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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