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 19821–19830

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record includes an April 4, 2012 letter confirming the petitioner was part of a reviewer team for the Colloquium European Retail Research 2012 prior to the filing date, supporting the director's conclusion.

Why this is useful

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The record includes an April 4, 2012 letter confirming the petitioner was part of a reviewer team for the Colloquium European Retail Research 2012 prior to the filing date, supporting the director's conclusion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-08_01_B2203; source_row=18324
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

On appeal, the petitioner did not contest the director's findings for this criterion or offer additional arguments, and also failed to provide additional evidence in response to the director's RFE. The AAO treated the issue as abandoned.

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On appeal, the petitioner did not contest the director's findings for this criterion or offer additional arguments, and also failed to provide additional evidence in response to the director's RFE. The AAO treated the issue as abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-08_03_B2203; source_row=18336
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

Upon review of the record, the AAO found that the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence establishing she participated as a judge for a cricket organization, meeting the plain language of 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3)(iv).

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Upon review of the record, the AAO found that the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence establishing she participated as a judge for a cricket organization, meeting the plain language of 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3)(iv).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-08_03_B2203; source_row=18338
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherResearch Scientist

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

Tax exemption is not a relevant consideration; what matters is the salary commanded. The petitioner provided no comparative salary data for other scientists in the field, and a conclusory assertion that $44,000 is a high salary is insufficient without supporting documentary evidence.

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Tax exemption is not a relevant consideration; what matters is the salary commanded. The petitioner provided no comparative salary data for other scientists in the field, and a conclusory assertion that $44,000 is a high salary is insufficient without supporting documentary evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-06_01_B2203; source_row=18320
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherResearch Scientist

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

Research fellowships and grants are principally designed to fund future research, not to honor or recognize excellence. Pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships are not nationally or internationally recognized prizes because only recent graduates compete for them, not recognized experts. The Society of [REDACTED] grant was awarded to the principal investigator, not to the petitioner.

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Research fellowships and grants are principally designed to fund future research, not to honor or recognize excellence. Pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships are not nationally or internationally recognized prizes because only recent graduates compete for them, not recognized experts. The Society of [REDACTED] grant was awarded to the principal investigator, not to the petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-06_01_B2203; source_row=18314
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherResearch Scientist

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in qualifying associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The first organization requires only 'noteworthy achievements' evidenced by as few as two papers, which is not an outstanding achievement. The criterion also requires membership in associations (plural), and the petitioner failed to show any of the remaining memberships require outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.

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

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The first organization requires only 'noteworthy achievements' evidenced by as few as two papers, which is not an outstanding achievement. The criterion also requires membership in associations (plural), and the petitioner failed to show any of the remaining memberships require outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-06_01_B2203; source_row=18315
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherResearch Scientist

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Publication alone is insufficient without evidence of major significance impact such as frequent citation. The reference letters largely speak to the potential future impact of the petitioner's work rather than established contributions of major significance. Conference poster presentations do not demonstrate impact upon dissemination 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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Publication alone is insufficient without evidence of major significance impact such as frequent citation. The reference letters largely speak to the potential future impact of the petitioner's work rather than established contributions of major significance. Conference poster presentations do not demonstrate impact upon dissemination in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-06_01_B2203; source_row=18316
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherResearch Scientist

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

Evidence of a 'lead' role post-dates the filing date, so eligibility at time of filing was not established. The laboratory itself was not shown to have a distinguished reputation independent of the larger institution. Evidence of future roles in other projects did not satisfy the criterion at time of filing, and other organizations lacked demonstrated distinguished reputations.

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Evidence of a 'lead' role post-dates the filing date, so eligibility at time of filing was not established. The laboratory itself was not shown to have a distinguished reputation independent of the larger institution. Evidence of future roles in other projects did not satisfy the criterion at time of filing, and other organizations lacked demonstrated distinguished reputations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-06_01_B2203; source_row=18319
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherResearch Scientist

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner submitted evidence showing she authored a number of scholarly articles published in scientific publications, satisfying this criterion.

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The petitioner submitted evidence showing she authored a number of scholarly articles published in scientific publications, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-06_01_B2203; source_row=18317
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

possession of advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO relied on AACRAO EDGE data showing the Indian master's degree equals only a U.S. bachelor's degree, and found the credential evaluations inadequate and inconsistent. The petitioner's AILA meeting minutes and 'six-year rule' argument are not binding on USCIS. The Pennsylvania license was issued after the priority date and did not establish educational equivalency.…

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AAO relied on AACRAO EDGE data showing the Indian master's degree equals only a U.S. bachelor's degree, and found the credential evaluations inadequate and inconsistent. The petitioner's AILA meeting minutes and 'six-year rule' argument are not binding on USCIS. The Pennsylvania license was issued after the priority date and did not establish educational equivalency. The labor certification itself precluded the bachelor's-plus-experience alternative.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-08-05_01_B5203; source_row=18311
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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