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 19771–19780

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 reference letters were vague, generalized, and failed to provide specific examples of how the petitioner's work influenced the field as a whole. Much of the evidence either post-dated the filing or was speculative about future impact. The petitioner did not show that his work rose to the level of original contributions of major significance in 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 reference letters were vague, generalized, and failed to provide specific examples of how the petitioner's work influenced the field as a whole. Much of the evidence either post-dated the filing or was speculative about future impact. The petitioner did not show that his work rose to the level of original contributions of major significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_02_B2203; source_row=18375
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 petitioner's field is not in the performing arts, so the criterion does not apply on its face. The comparable-evidence provision at 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(4) does not apply because other regulatory criteria do readily apply to the petitioner's occupation.…

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

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The petitioner's field is not in the performing arts, so the criterion does not apply on its face. The comparable-evidence provision at 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(4) does not apply because other regulatory criteria do readily apply to the petitioner's occupation. Even if comparable evidence were permissible, letters of support attesting to the petitioner's work are not comparable to objective evidence of box office receipts or record/video sales, and no specific sales figures were provided.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_02_B2203; source_row=18377
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 certificates show participation rather than nationally or internationally recognized prizes. Awards won by the petitioner's coached athletes do not constitute the petitioner's own receipt of prizes under the plain language of the regulation.

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

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The certificates show participation rather than nationally or internationally recognized prizes. Awards won by the petitioner's coached athletes do not constitute the petitioner's own receipt of prizes under the plain language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_01_B2203; source_row=18364
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 plain language of the regulation specifically requires evidence of membership in associations which require outstanding achievements of their members. No bylaws, constitution, or membership regulations were submitted to demonstrate this requirement.

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 the regulation specifically requires evidence of membership in associations which require outstanding achievements of their members. No bylaws, constitution, or membership regulations were submitted to demonstrate this requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_01_B2203; source_row=18365
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the director's finding on de novo review. The certificate did not specify whether the petitioner acted as a judge or merely a referee, and there was no evidence that being a referee equates to judging competitors' work. The support letter asserting panel judging lacked specificity and corroboration.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO withdrew the director's finding on de novo review. The certificate did not specify whether the petitioner acted as a judge or merely a referee, and there was no evidence that being a referee equates to judging competitors' work. The support letter asserting panel judging lacked specificity and corroboration.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_01_B2203; source_row=18367
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 organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO accepted that petitioner played a critical role for the collegiate chess team but found the criterion's plural requirement was not met because petitioner showed such a role only for a single organization.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO accepted that petitioner played a critical role for the collegiate chess team but found the criterion's plural requirement was not met because petitioner showed such a role only for a single organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_03_B2203; source_row=18382
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 the title-award process amounts to confirmation of competitive results rather than judging by experts; the petitioner did not show the title constitutes association membership; and in any event the criterion requires membership in multiple qualifying associations, which was not established.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the title-award process amounts to confirmation of competitive results rather than judging by experts; the petitioner did not show the title constitutes association membership; and in any event the criterion requires membership in multiple qualifying associations, which was not established.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_03_B2203; source_row=18380
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary's qualifying experience per ETA Form 9089

What the decision said

AAO did not resolve the qualifications question but identified additional unresolved aspects (whether the prior employer was actually in control of the beneficiary's employment given attenuated contracting) and remanded for the director to determine whether the beneficiary had the required qualifications on the priority date.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO did not resolve the qualifications question but identified additional unresolved aspects (whether the prior employer was actually in control of the beneficiary's employment given attenuated contracting) and remanded for the director to determine whether the beneficiary had the required qualifications on the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_01_B5203; source_row=18370
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay the proffered wage

What the decision said

AAO raised the ability-to-pay issue sua sponte given the large number of pending sponsored petitions and possible successor liabilities, and remanded for the director to evaluate.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO raised the ability-to-pay issue sua sponte given the large number of pending sponsored petitions and possible successor liabilities, and remanded for the director to evaluate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_01_B5203; source_row=18372
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

realistic, bona fide job offer with petitioner as direct employer

What the decision said

AAO noted unresolved ownership inconsistencies and a question about whether the petitioner is the direct employer or is subcontracting, and remanded for further investigation.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO noted unresolved ownership inconsistencies and a question about whether the petitioner is the direct employer or is subcontracting, and remanded for further investigation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-26_01_B5203; source_row=18371
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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