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.
display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
Why the evidence was persuasive
The petitioner submitted documentation of display of his work at artistic exhibitions or showcases, satisfying this criterion. AAO affirmed the director's finding.
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The petitioner submitted documentation of display of his work at artistic exhibitions or showcases, satisfying this criterion. AAO affirmed the director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-03_02_B2203; source_row=18144 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
judging the work of others
Why AAO was not persuaded
The primary supporting letter lacked a properly certified English language translation as required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3). The petitioner's own affidavit could not substitute as primary evidence without showing primary evidence was unavailable. A second letter referenced only a future invitation to exhibit and lecture, not judging, and post-dated the filing.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The primary supporting letter lacked a properly certified English language translation as required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3). The petitioner's own affidavit could not substitute as primary evidence without showing primary evidence was unavailable. A second letter referenced only a future invitation to exhibit and lecture, not judging, and post-dated the filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-03_02_B2203; source_row=18142 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
original contributions of major significance in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO conducted de novo review and withdrew the director's finding. The support letters were largely conclusory, describing the petitioner's artistic style and commercial success without identifying specific contributions that influenced the field. Display of work and sales were not evidence of major significance. Speculation about future impact was disregarded.
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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AAO conducted de novo review and withdrew the director's finding. The support letters were largely conclusory, describing the petitioner's artistic style and commercial success without identifying specific contributions that influenced the field. Display of work and sales were not evidence of major significance. Speculation about future impact was disregarded.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-03_02_B2203; source_row=18143 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO declined to consider the new claim because the petitioner did not raise it before the director despite being on notice via the regulations, Form I-140 instructions, and RFE.
Why this is useful
See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.
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AAO declined to consider the new claim because the petitioner did not raise it before the director despite being on notice via the regulations, Form I-140 instructions, and RFE.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-03_01_B2203; source_row=18132 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
national interest to substantially greater degree than U.S. worker
Why AAO was not persuaded
The NYSDOT framework requires evidence of influence on the field as a whole, not a comparison of credentials. The petitioner has not demonstrated a past record of achievement at a level justifying waiver of the job offer requirement. There is no presumption of eligibility and the burden rests with the petitioner.
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The NYSDOT framework requires evidence of influence on the field as a whole, not a comparison of credentials. The petitioner has not demonstrated a past record of achievement at a level justifying waiver of the job offer requirement. There is no presumption of eligibility and the burden rests with the petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-02_02_B5203; source_row=18115 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
OtherPhD
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
national interest served to substantially greater degree than available U.S. worker
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the petitioner's evidence established activity but not influence, and that she had not demonstrated a past record of specific prior achievement with meaningful influence on the field as a whole, nor that she individually stands out in a way that justifies exemption from the statutory job offer requirement.
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See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
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AAO found that the petitioner's evidence established activity but not influence, and that she had not demonstrated a past record of specific prior achievement with meaningful influence on the field as a whole, nor that she individually stands out in a way that justifies exemption from the statutory job offer requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-02_05_B5203; source_row=18125 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
national interest substantially greater than available U.S. worker
Why AAO was not persuaded
The petitioner submitted no evidence to support her claim of mastery of all Chinese language systems. Her exceptional or special knowledge alone is not sufficient grounds for the waiver, and she has not established a past record of achievement at a level justifying a waiver. The waiver application rests essentially on an unsupported claim of teacher shortage.
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See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
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The petitioner submitted no evidence to support her claim of mastery of all Chinese language systems. Her exceptional or special knowledge alone is not sufficient grounds for the waiver, and she has not established a past record of achievement at a level justifying a waiver. The waiver application rests essentially on an unsupported claim of teacher shortage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-02_04_B5203; source_row=18121 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The petitioner holds two foreign bachelor's degrees but no advanced degree and no U.S. degree. She submitted no academic evaluation establishing equivalency to U.S. baccalaureate degrees, which is a prerequisite to counting post-baccalaureate experience. Experience letters covering employment before she held any degree cannot establish five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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The petitioner holds two foreign bachelor's degrees but no advanced degree and no U.S. degree. She submitted no academic evaluation establishing equivalency to U.S. baccalaureate degrees, which is a prerequisite to counting post-baccalaureate experience. Experience letters covering employment before she held any degree cannot establish five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-07-02_04_B5203; source_row=18122 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c