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 19731–19740

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

The criterion requires display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases, which is limited to the visual arts. Participating in a karate tournament is not the same as a painter's or sculptor's work being displayed in a gallery or museum. This interpretation has been upheld by a federal district court.

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The criterion requires display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases, which is limited to the visual arts. Participating in a karate tournament is not the same as a painter's or sculptor's work being displayed in a gallery or museum. This interpretation has been upheld by a federal district court.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-10_01_B2203; source_row=18438
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 major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

Without certified English translations the evidence has no probative value, and the petitioner failed to submit circulation or distribution data for the publications.

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Without certified English translations the evidence has no probative value, and the petitioner failed to submit circulation or distribution data for the publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-10_01_B2203; source_row=18437
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or baccalaureate plus five years progressive experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary's only documented post-graduation qualifying experience amounts to approximately nine months (two months and sixteen days with the German employer and six months and twenty-two days with the Connecticut employer).…

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The beneficiary's only documented post-graduation qualifying experience amounts to approximately nine months (two months and sixteen days with the German employer and six months and twenty-two days with the Connecticut employer). Experience gained with the petitioner cannot be used because the labor certification requires experience in the job offered and the petitioner's own position is substantially comparable to the offered position. Overlapping bachelor's degree enrollment dates also cast doubt on the reliability of the record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-09_01_B5203; source_row=18432
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

60 months experience in the job offered per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary cannot use experience gained with the petitioner (substantially comparable position) nor experience in an alternate occupation. Remaining documented experience totals roughly nine months, far short of the required 60 months, and is further undermined by date discrepancies in the submitted letters.

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The beneficiary cannot use experience gained with the petitioner (substantially comparable position) nor experience in an alternate occupation. Remaining documented experience totals roughly nine months, far short of the required 60 months, and is further undermined by date discrepancies in the submitted letters.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-09_01_B5203; source_row=18433
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Valid labor certification requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

DOL independently revoked the labor certification, making the petition unsupported by a valid certification. AAO found counsel's arguments did not overcome the director's revocation, and because the labor certification is no longer valid, the petition cannot proceed.

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DOL independently revoked the labor certification, making the petition unsupported by a valid certification. AAO found counsel's arguments did not overcome the director's revocation, and because the labor certification is no longer valid, the petition cannot proceed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-09_02_B5203; source_row=18434
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 expert letters described only future or potential impact rather than already-realized contributions of major significance; citation evidence was moderate and did not demonstrate major significance; and conference presentations did not establish impact beyond the conferences themselves. The petitioner failed to show that her work has already significantly impacted the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The expert letters described only future or potential impact rather than already-realized contributions of major significance; citation evidence was moderate and did not demonstrate major significance; and conference presentations did not establish impact beyond the conferences themselves. The petitioner failed to show that her work has already significantly impacted the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-08_02_B2203; source_row=18417
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 record does not contain evidence establishing the national or international recognition of the convention at which the awards were given. The translations do not even identify the specific award received, and the prestige of other award recipients does not establish national or international recognition of the petitioner's award.

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The record does not contain evidence establishing the national or international recognition of the convention at which the awards were given. The translations do not even identify the specific award received, and the prestige of other award recipients does not establish national or international recognition of the petitioner's award.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-08_03_B2203; source_row=18420
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's judging experience lacks evidence that only those at the very top are selected, and her articles lack evidence of the field's response upon dissemination. The aggregate evidence does not distinguish her as one of the small percentage at the very top of the field.

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The petitioner's judging experience lacks evidence that only those at the very top are selected, and her articles lack evidence of the field's response upon dissemination. The aggregate evidence does not distinguish her as one of the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-08_03_B2203; source_row=18425
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

An appointment letter to a future position without additional evidence of how the petitioner actually performed in a leading or critical role is insufficient. Additionally, the criterion requires a leading or critical role for more than one organization, and the petitioner could only potentially establish one.

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An appointment letter to a future position without additional evidence of how the petitioner actually performed in a leading or critical role is insufficient. Additionally, the criterion requires a leading or critical role for more than one organization, and the petitioner could only potentially establish one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-08_03_B2203; source_row=18424
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

AAO found only one qualifying membership: one association's by-laws stated members are experts in relevant specialty duties. The other associations' membership requirements were based on age, education, or experience minimums, not outstanding achievements. Since the criterion requires plural qualifying memberships, a single qualifying membership is insufficient.

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AAO found only one qualifying membership: one association's by-laws stated members are experts in relevant specialty duties. The other associations' membership requirements were based on age, education, or experience minimums, not outstanding achievements. Since the criterion requires plural qualifying memberships, a single qualifying membership is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-09-08_03_B2203; source_row=18421
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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