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 19131–19140

EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner did not provide documentary evidence demonstrating that any of the three identified awards (a Youngsters viola award, a youth lutherie contest award limited to school pupils, and a 4th national lutherie contest second prize) are nationally or internationally recognized. Translations were inadequate or showed the youth competitions were limited in scope.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner did not provide documentary evidence demonstrating that any of the three identified awards (a Youngsters viola award, a youth lutherie contest award limited to school pupils, and a 4th national lutherie contest second prize) are nationally or internationally recognized. Translations were inadequate or showed the youth competitions were limited in scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-18_01_B2203; source_row=19099
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 with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the employer enjoys a distinguished reputation, the letters do not assert the petitioner performs in a leading role within the organizational hierarchy and do not describe what impact his work has had on the company such that the role is critical.

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Although the employer enjoys a distinguished reputation, the letters do not assert the petitioner performs in a leading role within the organizational hierarchy and do not describe what impact his work has had on the company such that the role is critical.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-18_01_B2203; source_row=19102
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

beneficiary meets minimum requirements stated on the labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that the labor certification at Part H requires a master's degree and does not permit any combination of education and experience, so evaluations relying on bachelor's-plus-five-years cannot establish qualification.…

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AAO held that the labor certification at Part H requires a master's degree and does not permit any combination of education and experience, so evaluations relying on bachelor's-plus-five-years cannot establish qualification. Additionally, claimed experience as a trainee/volunteer/job-trainee was not certified on the ETA 9089 and did not establish work as an occupational therapist, and even if counted would not amount to five years.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-18_01_B5203; source_row=19105
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree (or foreign equivalent) qualification under section 203(b)(2)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the beneficiary's degree is a bachelor's degree per EDGE, and rejected counsel's argument that the undergraduate thesis demonstrates an advanced degree. AAO also rejected reliance on California licensing/NBCOT certification as proof of equivalency.

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AAO agreed the beneficiary's degree is a bachelor's degree per EDGE, and rejected counsel's argument that the undergraduate thesis demonstrates an advanced degree. AAO also rejected reliance on California licensing/NBCOT certification as proof of equivalency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-18_01_B5203; source_row=19104
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien

Why AAO was not persuaded

The article submitted on appeal is about a competition rather than the petitioner, the certified translation does not include the portion bearing his name, and the translation lacks the publication date and author as required by the regulation.

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The article submitted on appeal is about a competition rather than the petitioner, the certified translation does not include the portion bearing his name, and the translation lacks the publication date and author as required by the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-18_01_B2203; source_row=19100
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

The petitioner did not assert eligibility under this criterion before the director and did not contest the director's findings on appeal, so AAO treats any claim as abandoned.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner did not assert eligibility under this criterion before the director and did not contest the director's findings on appeal, so AAO treats any claim as abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-18_01_B2203; source_row=19101
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary educational credentials (master's degree equivalent)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The EDGE database, which AAO considers a reliable peer-reviewed source, characterizes the Spanish 'Titulo de Ingeniero' earned after five years as comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree, not a master's. The petitioner did not respond to the RFE to reconcile this discrepancy.

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The EDGE database, which AAO considers a reliable peer-reviewed source, characterizes the Spanish 'Titulo de Ingeniero' earned after five years as comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree, not a master's. The petitioner did not respond to the RFE to reconcile this discrepancy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-13_01_B5203; source_row=19097
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary qualifying experience per 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The experience letter failed the regulatory requirement under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) because it did not provide a specific description of duties performed by the alien. The petitioner did not submit a compliant replacement letter after the RFE.

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The experience letter failed the regulatory requirement under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) because it did not provide a specific description of duties performed by the alien. The petitioner did not submit a compliant replacement letter after the RFE.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-13_01_B5203; source_row=19098
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The tax returns do not separate fashion producer salary from partnership income and CEO compensation. The wage comparisons used either general occupational categories not closely matching the petitioner's duties, stale data, or average rather than high-end salary benchmarks, none of which properly demonstrate that the petitioner earned a high salary relative to others performing similar work.

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The tax returns do not separate fashion producer salary from partnership income and CEO compensation. The wage comparisons used either general occupational categories not closely matching the petitioner's duties, stale data, or average rather than high-end salary benchmarks, none of which properly demonstrate that the petitioner earned a high salary relative to others performing similar work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-12_01_B2203; source_row=19095
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

There is no documentary evidence showing the petitioner's own work was displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases. Performing marketing responsibilities, scheduling photographers and models, and offering consultations do not meet the elements of this criterion.

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There is no documentary evidence showing the petitioner's own work was displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases. Performing marketing responsibilities, scheduling photographers and models, and offering consultations do not meet the elements of this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-02-12_01_B2203; source_row=19093
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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