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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 19881–19890

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

The petitioner did not establish that the venues had a distinguished reputation, as the submitted information was either self-promotional or limited to local media. Even if the venues were distinguished, the petitioner did not establish that his role as a performing musician was 'leading or critical' for those organizations, nor did he differentiate his role from the numerous other jazz acts that performed there.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The petitioner did not establish that the venues had a distinguished reputation, as the submitted information was either self-promotional or limited to local media. Even if the venues were distinguished, the petitioner did not establish that his role as a performing musician was 'leading or critical' for those organizations, nor did he differentiate his role from the numerous other jazz acts that performed there.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-29_02_B2203; source_row=18258
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

Participation as a judge of the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO confirmed that the petitioner's evidence of serving as a judge for the Juno awards and as a music organization juror meets this regulatory criterion.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO confirmed that the petitioner's evidence of serving as a judge for the Juno awards and as a music organization juror meets this regulatory criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-29_02_B2203; source_row=18255
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why the evidence was persuasive

Considering wages paid to the beneficiary in 2012 and 2013 plus the correct Schedule K net income of $226,780 for 2012, the petitioner demonstrated ability to pay.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Considering wages paid to the beneficiary in 2012 and 2013 plus the correct Schedule K net income of $226,780 for 2012, the petitioner demonstrated ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-29_01_B5203; source_row=18248
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

master's degree in architecture (no alternate field) per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The labor certification requires a master's in architecture with no alternate field accepted; the beneficiary's degree is in architectural engineering, so the petitioner has not established that the beneficiary is qualified.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The labor certification requires a master's in architecture with no alternate field accepted; the beneficiary's degree is in architectural engineering, so the petitioner has not established that the beneficiary is qualified.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-29_01_B5203; source_row=18249
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

California architectural licensure for proffered position

What the decision said

AAO directed that on remand the petitioner should provide evidence regarding whether the position requires a California architect's license, and if not, whether U.S. workers were notified during recruitment that unlicensed architects would be accepted.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO directed that on remand the petitioner should provide evidence regarding whether the position requires a California architect's license, and if not, whether U.S. workers were notified during recruitment that unlicensed architects would be accepted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-29_01_B5203; source_row=18250
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the totality of evidence demonstrates the petitioner's sustained national acclaim and that he is among the small percentage at the very top of the toxicology field. Key indicators include an unusually large number of citations, media coverage, expert attestations of major significance, and peer review activities.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found the totality of evidence demonstrates the petitioner's sustained national acclaim and that he is among the small percentage at the very top of the toxicology field. Key indicators include an unusually large number of citations, media coverage, expert attestations of major significance, and peer review activities.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-29_01_B2203; source_row=18247
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence including expert letters describing original contributions of major significance, independent citation evidence corroborating the experts' statements, and media reports of his findings.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence including expert letters describing original contributions of major significance, independent citation evidence corroborating the experts' statements, and media reports of his findings.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-29_01_B2203; source_row=18245
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the director's requirement went beyond the plain language of the regulation, which does not require demonstrated acclaim from article publication. The petitioner satisfied the criterion by submitting evidence of authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

View full reasoning +
The AAO found the director's requirement went beyond the plain language of the regulation, which does not require demonstrated acclaim from article publication. The petitioner satisfied the criterion by submitting evidence of authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-29_01_B2203; source_row=18246
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the director's requirement went beyond the plain language of the regulation. The petitioner's peer review activities and abstract evaluations satisfy the criterion as written.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found the director's requirement went beyond the plain language of the regulation. The petitioner's peer review activities and abstract evaluations satisfy the criterion as written.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-29_01_B2203; source_row=18244
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Economics

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 found that the letters did not identify specific roles, explain the petitioner's position within organizational hierarchy, or provide specific examples of impact. A letter from a Vice President asserting the petitioner performed a leading role was conclusory and lacked description of duties. Evidence of experience must come from current or former employers.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the letters did not identify specific roles, explain the petitioner's position within organizational hierarchy, or provide specific examples of impact. A letter from a Vice President asserting the petitioner performed a leading role was conclusory and lacked description of duties. Evidence of experience must come from current or former employers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-25_01_B2203; source_row=18231
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment