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 19631–19640

NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

worksite location consistent with labor certification

What the decision said

AAO found the Director incorrectly stated the petitioner had submitted no evidence of job location, when in fact evidence of the Pennsylvania client assignment had been submitted in response to the first NOID and was not considered.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Director incorrectly stated the petitioner had submitted no evidence of job location, when in fact evidence of the Pennsylvania client assignment had been submitted in response to the first NOID and was not considered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-10-03_02_B5203; source_row=18545
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary's prior employment experience to satisfy labor certification

What the decision said

AAO observed that the Director never explained why the disputed five months of employment mattered when the beneficiary's other documented experience already exceeded the one-year requirement, and remanded without resolving the issue.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO observed that the Director never explained why the disputed five months of employment mattered when the beneficiary's other documented experience already exceeded the one-year requirement, and remanded without resolving the issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-10-03_02_B5203; source_row=18544
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

location of job opportunity and identity of actual employer

Why AAO was not persuaded

The work locations on the ETA Form 9089, Form I-140, sublease (held by a separately-incorporated entity with its own FEIN), 2013 tax return, and the beneficiary's 2013 W-2 are inconsistent, and the petitioner did not adequately explain the relationship with the related entity or reconcile these discrepancies.

Why this is useful

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The work locations on the ETA Form 9089, Form I-140, sublease (held by a separately-incorporated entity with its own FEIN), 2013 tax return, and the beneficiary's 2013 W-2 are inconsistent, and the petitioner did not adequately explain the relationship with the related entity or reconcile these discrepancies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=18543
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why the evidence was persuasive

Considering wages paid plus net income/net current assets across 2011-2013, plus growth in sales to over $18 million and over $6 million paid in wages in 2012, the petitioner demonstrated continuing ability to pay all sponsored beneficiaries.

Why this is useful

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Considering wages paid plus net income/net current assets across 2011-2013, plus growth in sales to over $18 million and over $6 million paid in wages in 2012, the petitioner demonstrated continuing ability to pay all sponsored beneficiaries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=18542
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other120 papers2,700 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the petitioner's research, while valuable to government clients and limited regional areas, did not demonstrate impact in the field as a whole. Letters from collaborators were vague, solicited, and failed to show wide acceptance and adoption of the petitioner's findings. Potential contributions and regional adoption are insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that the petitioner's research, while valuable to government clients and limited regional areas, did not demonstrate impact in the field as a whole. Letters from collaborators were vague, solicited, and failed to show wide acceptance and adoption of the petitioner's findings. Potential contributions and regional adoption are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-10-01_01_B2203; source_row=18539
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other120 papers2,700 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards for excellence

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the evidence insufficient to show the award is nationally or internationally recognized. The self-promotional nature of the primary supporting evidence (from recipients and the issuing organization) diminished its evidentiary value. Additionally, the criterion requires prizes in the plural, and the petitioner did not demonstrate receipt of multiple qualifying awards.

Why this is useful

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The AAO found the evidence insufficient to show the award is nationally or internationally recognized. The self-promotional nature of the primary supporting evidence (from recipients and the issuing organization) diminished its evidentiary value. Additionally, the criterion requires prizes in the plural, and the petitioner did not demonstrate receipt of multiple qualifying awards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-10-01_01_B2203; source_row=18537
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other120 papers2,700 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner abandoned the final merits challenge by failing to contest it on appeal. Even addressing it, the AAO found the petitioner's judging experience limited to one publication, her citation record minimal, her contributions regionally limited, and her overall profile consistent with a competent but not extraordinarily acclaimed engineer.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner abandoned the final merits challenge by failing to contest it on appeal. Even addressing it, the AAO found the petitioner's judging experience limited to one publication, her citation record minimal, her contributions regionally limited, and her overall profile consistent with a competent but not extraordinarily acclaimed engineer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-10-01_01_B2203; source_row=18541
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other120 papers2,700 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed the petitioner met this criterion based on her authorship of articles published in the Transportation Research Record and other professional publications.

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 AAO agreed the petitioner met this criterion based on her authorship of articles published in the Transportation Research Record and other professional publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-10-01_01_B2203; source_row=18540
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other120 papers2,700 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed the petitioner met this criterion, citing evidence that she has been a regular technical paper reviewer for multiple committees and publications since 2009, reviewing approximately 10 papers per year.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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The AAO agreed the petitioner met this criterion, citing evidence that she has been a regular technical paper reviewer for multiple committees and publications since 2009, reviewing approximately 10 papers per year.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-10-01_01_B2203; source_row=18538
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

artistic display

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the director's favorable finding, holding that the criterion is limited to the visual arts and requires tangible pieces of art on display at exhibitions. Musical performances by a performing artist do not qualify under this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO withdrew the director's favorable finding, holding that the criterion is limited to the visual arts and requires tangible pieces of art on display at exhibitions. Musical performances by a performing artist do not qualify under this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-30_01_B2203; source_row=18530
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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