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 19911–19920

EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Materials Science

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Despite letters of support from multiple professors and researchers, the petitioner's citation evidence showed minimal to moderate independent citation counts (no individual article cited more than 16 times independently), and the letters largely relied on speculative future impact or conclusory assertions rather than documented major significance.…

Why this is useful

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

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Despite letters of support from multiple professors and researchers, the petitioner's citation evidence showed minimal to moderate independent citation counts (no individual article cited more than 16 times independently), and the letters largely relied on speculative future impact or conclusory assertions rather than documented major significance. AAO agreed the petitioner failed this criterion, though it withdrew the director's erroneous statement that all letters were from collaborators.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_03_B2203; source_row=18219
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial success in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner submitted a compact disc but no sales data. Concert programs and promotional material did not support sold-out crowd claims, and no box office receipts or sales figures were submitted as required by the plain language of the criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner submitted a compact disc but no sales data. Concert programs and promotional material did not support sold-out crowd claims, and no box office receipts or sales figures were submitted as required by the plain language of the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=18214
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The documentary evidence did not reflect that the petitioner was featured or received top billing consistent with a leading or critical role, and the petitioner submitted no evidence about the reputation of the orchestras or ensembles to show they have distinguished reputations.

Why this is useful

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

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The documentary evidence did not reflect that the petitioner was featured or received top billing consistent with a leading or critical role, and the petitioner submitted no evidence about the reputation of the orchestras or ensembles to show they have distinguished reputations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=18213
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 recommendation letters praised the petitioner's talents and skills but did not explain how his work constitutes original contributions of major significance. Vague, solicited letters that repeat regulatory language without explaining how the petitioner's contributions have influenced the field are insufficient. Having a diverse skill set is not in itself a contribution of major significance.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The recommendation letters praised the petitioner's talents and skills but did not explain how his work constitutes original contributions of major significance. Vague, solicited letters that repeat regulatory language without explaining how the petitioner's contributions have influenced the field are insufficient. Having a diverse skill set is not in itself a contribution of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=18211
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

Most prize documentation lacked certified English translations and therefore had no probative value. For prizes with some documentation, the petitioner failed to show they are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field. Claims added on motion were unsupported by documentary evidence, and post-filing prizes cannot establish eligibility.

Why this is useful

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

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Most prize documentation lacked certified English translations and therefore had no probative value. For prizes with some documentation, the petitioner failed to show they are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field. Claims added on motion were unsupported by documentary evidence, and post-filing prizes cannot establish eligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=18207
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

Most submitted articles lacked certified translations or were only partially translated, and many were about concerts or competitions that merely mentioned the petitioner rather than being about him. The required title, date, and author were often missing, and no independent evidence was submitted showing the publications qualify as major media.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Most submitted articles lacked certified translations or were only partially translated, and many were about concerts or competitions that merely mentioned the petitioner rather than being about him. The required title, date, and author were often missing, and no independent evidence was submitted showing the publications qualify as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=18209
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

artistic display

What the decision said

On motion the petitioner did not further claim eligibility for this criterion, so the issue was abandoned. AAO nonetheless explained that performances by a performing artist do not fall under the artistic display criterion, which is limited to the visual arts.

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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On motion the petitioner did not further claim eligibility for this criterion, so the issue was abandoned. AAO nonetheless explained that performances by a performing artist do not fall under the artistic display criterion, which is limited to the visual arts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=18212
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

What the decision said

On motion the petitioner did not contest the director's decision or further claim eligibility for this criterion, so the issue was abandoned. AAO nonetheless found that teaching violin workshops does not constitute judging, and that claimed future judging roles were not supported by evidence and could not establish eligibility in any event.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
On motion the petitioner did not contest the director's decision or further claim eligibility for this criterion, so the issue was abandoned. AAO nonetheless found that teaching violin workshops does not constitute judging, and that claimed future judging roles were not supported by evidence and could not establish eligibility in any event.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=18210
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

What the decision said

On motion the petitioner did not further claim eligibility for this criterion, so it was deemed abandoned. AAO nonetheless analyzed it and found the petitioner failed to demonstrate membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
On motion the petitioner did not further claim eligibility for this criterion, so it was deemed abandoned. AAO nonetheless analyzed it and found the petitioner failed to demonstrate membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=18208
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

AAO agreed with the director that the evidence supports the petitioner meeting this criterion, citing documentation that he judged modeling contests.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the director that the evidence supports the petitioner meeting this criterion, citing documentation that he judged modeling contests.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-23_01_B2203; source_row=18203
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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