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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 19211–19220
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
The reference letters praised the beneficiary's talent and skills but did not provide specific information showing original contributions of major significance in the field of sound design and engineering as a whole, beyond his employer and clients. Conclusory assertions and vague letters without specific examples of field-wide impact were insufficient.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The reference letters praised the beneficiary's talent and skills but did not provide specific information showing original contributions of major significance in the field of sound design and engineering as a whole, beyond his employer and clients. Conclusory assertions and vague letters without specific examples of field-wide impact were insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-20_01_B2203; source_row=19014 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material
Why AAO was not persuaded
Published materials about the beneficiary's singing and songwriting did not relate to his work as a sound engineer; materials about the petitioning venue did not specifically mention the beneficiary; and the petitioner failed to show that audioprointernational.com or the press release constituted professional or major trade publications or other major media.
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Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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Published materials about the beneficiary's singing and songwriting did not relate to his work as a sound engineer; materials about the petitioning venue did not specifically mention the beneficiary; and the petitioner failed to show that audioprointernational.com or the press release constituted professional or major trade publications or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-20_01_B2203; source_row=19013 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
advanced degree or foreign equivalent degree from a college or university
Why AAO was not persuaded
While the beneficiary's Associate Membership is academically comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree per AACRAO and EDGE, the issuing body is not a college or university and therefore cannot confer a qualifying 'foreign equivalent degree.' The regulations explicitly require a degree from a college or university, not merely the academic equivalent of such a degree.
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While the beneficiary's Associate Membership is academically comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree per AACRAO and EDGE, the issuing body is not a college or university and therefore cannot confer a qualifying 'foreign equivalent degree.' The regulations explicitly require a degree from a college or university, not merely the academic equivalent of such a degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-20_01_B5203; source_row=19018 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO concluded the Kellogg language is required by 20 C.F.R. § 656.17(h)(4)(ii) and does not modify the proffered position's minimum requirements, so the position properly requires an advanced degree.
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AAO concluded the Kellogg language is required by 20 C.F.R. § 656.17(h)(4)(ii) and does not modify the proffered position's minimum requirements, so the position properly requires an advanced degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-20_02_B5203; source_row=19020 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability
Why AAO was not persuaded
The petitioner did not address the director's compensation finding on appeal, effectively abandoning the claim. Furthermore, taking a lower salary to keep money in the company may be typical of small businesses but does not demonstrate exceptional ability, and the business profits belong to the petitioner's spouse who owns 70% of the partnership.
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The petitioner did not address the director's compensation finding on appeal, effectively abandoning the claim. Furthermore, taking a lower salary to keep money in the company may be typical of small businesses but does not demonstrate exceptional ability, and the business profits belong to the petitioner's spouse who owns 70% of the partnership.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-16_01_B5203; source_row=18995 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The petitioner cannot invoke comparable evidence because he did not show the six criteria do not readily apply to his occupation. Baccalaureate degrees are available in his field, so the degree criterion applies. Attending four years without graduating does not entitle one to a partial degree, and earning 123 of 124 credits does not satisfy the standard.
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The petitioner cannot invoke comparable evidence because he did not show the six criteria do not readily apply to his occupation. Baccalaureate degrees are available in his field, so the degree criterion applies. Attending four years without graduating does not entitle one to a partial degree, and earning 123 of 124 credits does not satisfy the standard.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-16_01_B5203; source_row=18993 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Even assuming the director's grant of three criteria, the totality of the evidence does not establish a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered. Petitioner did not establish baseline credentials in the field, his offered salary was modest, and his teaching/conducting record reflects local rather than exceptional accomplishment.
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Even assuming the director's grant of three criteria, the totality of the evidence does not establish a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered. Petitioner did not establish baseline credentials in the field, his offered salary was modest, and his teaching/conducting record reflects local rather than exceptional accomplishment.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-16_03_B5203; source_row=19006 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
national interest substantially greater than U.S. worker
Why AAO was not persuaded
The petitioner did not establish a past record of demonstrable achievement with influence on the field as a whole. The collective benefit from all teachers addresses intrinsic merit, not individual superiority over U.S. workers.
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
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The petitioner did not establish a past record of demonstrable achievement with influence on the field as a whole. The collective benefit from all teachers addresses intrinsic merit, not individual superiority over U.S. workers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-01-16_04_B5203; source_row=19012 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c