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 19181–19190

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 director correctly noted the letters provided little detail and did not explain how the petitioner's music constitutes contributions of major significance. The new email evidence on appeal was not persuasive—emails discussing the petitioner's work on award-winning tracks failed to demonstrate impact beyond the petitioner's employer and clients, and the emails had limited probative value due to lack of letterhead, signat…

Why this is useful

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

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The director correctly noted the letters provided little detail and did not explain how the petitioner's music constitutes contributions of major significance. The new email evidence on appeal was not persuasive—emails discussing the petitioner's work on award-winning tracks failed to demonstrate impact beyond the petitioner's employer and clients, and the emails had limited probative value due to lack of letterhead, signatures, and supporting documentation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_01_B2203; source_row=19037
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The only sales data in the record derived from Wikipedia, which provides no assurances of reliability as an open, user-edited internet site. The petitioner did not offer sales data from a reliable source.

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The only sales data in the record derived from Wikipedia, which provides no assurances of reliability as an open, user-edited internet site. The petitioner did not offer sales data from a reliable source.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_01_B2203; source_row=19039
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner abandoned this criterion on appeal by failing to submit any substantive argument or evidence. Additionally, the evidence lacks proof that the petitioner is the actual recipient of the awards, as opposed to having worked on award-winning albums.

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The petitioner abandoned this criterion on appeal by failing to submit any substantive argument or evidence. Additionally, the evidence lacks proof that the petitioner is the actual recipient of the awards, as opposed to having worked on award-winning albums.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_01_B2203; source_row=19033
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letter from the association official was submitted for the first time on appeal after the petitioner was put on notice of the deficiency and given an opportunity to respond. Additionally, the letter did not include sufficient detail to establish that the association requires outstanding achievements, as membership could be based on above-average record sales alone, and the official did not identify the 'other criteria.'

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The letter from the association official was submitted for the first time on appeal after the petitioner was put on notice of the deficiency and given an opportunity to respond. Additionally, the letter did not include sufficient detail to establish that the association requires outstanding achievements, as membership could be based on above-average record sales alone, and the official did not identify the 'other criteria.'
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_01_B2203; source_row=19034
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 in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner abandoned his prior media claims on appeal. The new evidence—promotional materials bearing the petitioner's image—lacks all required elements: the materials are not published articles or other material listing an author, title, and date.

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The petitioner abandoned his prior media claims on appeal. The new evidence—promotional materials bearing the petitioner's image—lacks all required elements: the materials are not published articles or other material listing an author, title, and date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_01_B2203; source_row=19035
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

Authorship of materials alone without evidence of field-wide impact is insufficient. Letters from experts were too vague or conclusory and did not detail how the petitioner's work impacted the field as a whole. Workshop reception, inspiration of individual colleagues, and social media presence do not demonstrate major significance.

Why this is useful

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

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Authorship of materials alone without evidence of field-wide impact is insufficient. Letters from experts were too vague or conclusory and did not detail how the petitioner's work impacted the field as a whole. Workshop reception, inspiration of individual colleagues, and social media presence do not demonstrate major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_03_B2203; source_row=19049
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

Book reviews are about books, not their authors, and thus do not constitute published material 'about' the petitioner. Additionally, the petitioner failed to show that the publications in which the reviews appeared are professional or major trade publications or other major media.

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Book reviews are about books, not their authors, and thus do not constitute published material 'about' the petitioner. Additionally, the petitioner failed to show that the publications in which the reviews appeared are professional or major trade publications or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_03_B2203; source_row=19048
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed to show his books were published in professional or major trade publications. The copyright page suggested self-publication, and the publishers cited appear to be self-publishing companies. Other written works were not shown to have been published in qualifying media.

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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The petitioner failed to show his books were published in professional or major trade publications. The copyright page suggested self-publication, and the publishers cited appear to be self-publishing companies. Other written works were not shown to have been published in qualifying media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_03_B2203; source_row=19050
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The evidence failed to demonstrate that the petitioner performed a leading or critical role for any qualifying organization. Letters and documents did not provide specific details of the petitioner's role or show that his involvement was leading or critical to any organization with a distinguished reputation.

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The evidence failed to demonstrate that the petitioner performed a leading or critical role for any qualifying organization. Letters and documents did not provide specific details of the petitioner's role or show that his involvement was leading or critical to any organization with a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_03_B2203; source_row=19051
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner did not submit primary evidence of the award, failed to show the award recognizes excellence in the field, and did not establish national or international recognition. The appointment, book adoption, and National Day of Creativity do not constitute prizes or awards for excellence in the field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The petitioner did not submit primary evidence of the award, failed to show the award recognizes excellence in the field, and did not establish national or international recognition. The appointment, book adoption, and National Day of Creativity do not constitute prizes or awards for excellence in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-26_03_B2203; source_row=19047
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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