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 19451–19460

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner submitted only a pay stub that lacked SSN and FEIN, making it unverifiable. No tax returns, annual reports, or audited financial statements for the priority date year were in the record. The petitioner therefore failed to demonstrate ability to pay the $96,013 proffered wage.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner submitted only a pay stub that lacked SSN and FEIN, making it unverifiable. No tax returns, annual reports, or audited financial statements for the priority date year were in the record. The petitioner therefore failed to demonstrate ability to pay the $96,013 proffered wage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=18754
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Labor certification minimum requirements consistent with advanced degree professional classification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The plain language of H.14 defines foreign educational equivalent to include a combination of lesser degrees, which is impermissible for the advanced degree professional category. There is no ambiguity, and no RFE was required. The labor certification on its face does not meet the minimum requirements for the category.

Why this is useful

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

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The plain language of H.14 defines foreign educational equivalent to include a combination of lesser degrees, which is impermissible for the advanced degree professional category. There is no ambiguity, and no RFE was required. The labor certification on its face does not meet the minimum requirements for the category.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=18753
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the petitioner's citation numbers were modest (seven articles, 186 aggregate citations, with unknown self-citation rates), that expert letters were conclusory and lacked specific examples of real-world implementation, that patent citations did not distinguish her work from numerous other cited studies, and that evidence of commercial availability and editorial endorsements did not show field-wide impact risin…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the petitioner's citation numbers were modest (seven articles, 186 aggregate citations, with unknown self-citation rates), that expert letters were conclusory and lacked specific examples of real-world implementation, that patent citations did not distinguish her work from numerous other cited studies, and that evidence of commercial availability and editorial endorsements did not show field-wide impact rising to major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-18_01_B2203; source_row=18727
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

This criterion is limited to the visual arts. The petitioner is an athlete, not a visual artist, and has not created tangible pieces of art displayed at exhibitions or showcases.

Why this is useful

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

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This criterion is limited to the visual arts. The petitioner is an athlete, not a visual artist, and has not created tangible pieces of art displayed at exhibitions or showcases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-18_02_B2203; source_row=18737
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters were either generalized without identifying specific contributions or discussed only competitive achievements and coaching potential rather than showing how the petitioner's work influenced the field as a whole. Awards and rankings were addressed under criterion (i) and do not establish criterion (v). Speculation about future potential does not establish eligibility at the time of filing.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The letters were either generalized without identifying specific contributions or discussed only competitive achievements and coaching potential rather than showing how the petitioner's work influenced the field as a whole. Awards and rankings were addressed under criterion (i) and do not establish criterion (v). Speculation about future potential does not establish eligibility at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-18_02_B2203; source_row=18735
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 distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the evidence showed the petitioner played a critical role for the national team, it did not demonstrate a leading or critical role for the broader federation. Additionally, the federation's distinguished reputation was not sufficiently established through objective documentary evidence.

Why this is useful

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

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While the evidence showed the petitioner played a critical role for the national team, it did not demonstrate a leading or critical role for the broader federation. Additionally, the federation's distinguished reputation was not sufficiently established through objective documentary evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-18_02_B2203; source_row=18738
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than available U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's annual evaluations showed only 'Proficient' and 'Satisfactory' ratings, not suggesting he is in the upper echelons of all special education teachers. His claims of citywide improvement in test scores were unsubstantiated assertions without documentary evidence. Even if exceptional ability were established, that alone does not qualify one for a national interest waiver.

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's annual evaluations showed only 'Proficient' and 'Satisfactory' ratings, not suggesting he is in the upper echelons of all special education teachers. His claims of citywide improvement in test scores were unsubstantiated assertions without documentary evidence. Even if exceptional ability were established, that alone does not qualify one for a national interest waiver.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-18_04_B5203; source_row=18747
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalPhD

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

three or more exceptional ability criteria

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner only claimed two of six criteria and failed to invoke the comparable evidence clause properly. Even if the two claimed criteria were met, two criteria are insufficient without the comparable evidence clause, which requires showing the standard criteria do not readily apply to the occupation.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The petitioner only claimed two of six criteria and failed to invoke the comparable evidence clause properly. Even if the two claimed criteria were met, two criteria are insufficient without the comparable evidence clause, which requires showing the standard criteria do not readily apply to the occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-18_06_B5203; source_row=18752
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than a U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The director found no evidence that the petitioner's articles had been cited by others, and therefore found insufficient influence on the field to warrant approval of the waiver. On appeal, the petitioner claimed two journal articles cite his work but failed to submit them, and the record showed no such citations had been submitted previously either.

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 director found no evidence that the petitioner's articles had been cited by others, and therefore found insufficient influence on the field to warrant approval of the waiver. On appeal, the petitioner claimed two journal articles cite his work but failed to submit them, and the record showed no such citations had been submitted previously either.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-18_03_B5203; source_row=18744
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the director that the petitioner's documented authorship of scholarly articles in professional publications satisfied this criterion.

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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AAO agreed with the director that the petitioner's documented authorship of scholarly articles in professional publications satisfied this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-11-18_01_B2203; source_row=18728
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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