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 20111–20120

NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the director's finding that the beneficiary's occupation has substantial intrinsic merit.

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AAO did not disturb the director's finding that the beneficiary's occupation has substantial intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-21_01_B5203; source_row=17985
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary meets minimum requirements of labor certification by priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that each claimed period of qualifying employment was unsubstantiated: the first employer's letters were tainted by fraud, contained identical language suggesting inauthenticity, and contained location discrepancies; the second employer's relationship to the I-129 filer was unestablished; the third employer submitted no employer letter; and experience with the petitioner itself was barred by DOL regulations as…

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The AAO found that each claimed period of qualifying employment was unsubstantiated: the first employer's letters were tainted by fraud, contained identical language suggesting inauthenticity, and contained location discrepancies; the second employer's relationship to the I-129 filer was unestablished; the third employer submitted no employer letter; and experience with the petitioner itself was barred by DOL regulations as substantially comparable to the offered position.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-21_02_B5203; source_row=17988
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found this issue independently of the director. The petitioner's Forms 941 were internally inconsistent, the petitioner failed to submit its own tax returns or audited financials, and the submitted financial documents belonged to a separate parent entity whose resources could not be attributed to the petitioner.

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The AAO found this issue independently of the director. The petitioner's Forms 941 were internally inconsistent, the petitioner failed to submit its own tax returns or audited financials, and the submitted financial documents belonged to a separate parent entity whose resources could not be attributed to the petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-21_02_B5203; source_row=17989
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 about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

Several submitted articles were not about the petitioner. For those that were, the only documented publication with circulation information was a local/regional weekly with 5,000 printed copies. The Country Conditions report did not establish circulation numbers, and the petitioner did not show that a major English-language newspaper is necessarily major in the overall media market.

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Several submitted articles were not about the petitioner. For those that were, the only documented publication with circulation information was a local/regional weekly with 5,000 printed copies. The Country Conditions report did not establish circulation numbers, and the petitioner did not show that a major English-language newspaper is necessarily major in the overall media market.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-19_01_B2203; source_row=17971
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 inclusion of 'national' on a certificate without background information on scope, caliber of participants, or selection process is insufficient. The record lacked details on criteria for granting awards, significance, reputation, geographic scope, number of awards conferred, and prior winners. Newspaper coverage was regional and did not establish national or international recognition.

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The inclusion of 'national' on a certificate without background information on scope, caliber of participants, or selection process is insufficient. The record lacked details on criteria for granting awards, significance, reputation, geographic scope, number of awards conferred, and prior winners. Newspaper coverage was regional and did not establish national or international recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-19_01_B2203; source_row=17969
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

An undisclosed 'excellent wage amount' for a one-time event is insufficient to establish salary level. The $1,600 album payment was not shown to be an annual salary and no comparative evidence of high-end wages for folk singers in Nepal was submitted.

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An undisclosed 'excellent wage amount' for a one-time event is insufficient to establish salary level. The $1,600 album payment was not shown to be an annual salary and no comparative evidence of high-end wages for folk singers in Nepal was submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-19_01_B2203; source_row=17973
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 petitioner failed to submit the association's constitution or bylaws as requested in the RFE, creating a presumption of ineligibility. The letter described membership based on 'significant contributions,' which does not rise to 'outstanding achievement,' and there was no evidence that recognized national or international experts judge membership eligibility.

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The petitioner failed to submit the association's constitution or bylaws as requested in the RFE, creating a presumption of ineligibility. The letter described membership based on 'significant contributions,' which does not rise to 'outstanding achievement,' and there was no evidence that recognized national or international experts judge membership eligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-19_01_B2203; source_row=17970
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

The petitioner did not submit the actual award certificates or official announcements from the organizing body. The online profile and support letters are not primary evidence, and the petitioner failed to demonstrate primary evidence was unavailable, triggering a presumption of ineligibility.

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The petitioner did not submit the actual award certificates or official announcements from the organizing body. The online profile and support letters are not primary evidence, and the petitioner failed to demonstrate primary evidence was unavailable, triggering a presumption of ineligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-19_02_B2203; source_row=17976
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 distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

Participation in a one-time concert alongside other performers is insufficient to establish a leading or critical role for the organizing organizations. Being featured on a media company's platforms among many artists does not constitute performing in a leading or critical role for that organization, as there was no evidence the petitioner directly performed work or services on the organization's behalf.

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Participation in a one-time concert alongside other performers is insufficient to establish a leading or critical role for the organizing organizations. Being featured on a media company's platforms among many artists does not constitute performing in a leading or critical role for that organization, as there was no evidence the petitioner directly performed work or services on the organization's behalf.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-19_02_B2203; source_row=17982
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 support letters generally praised the petitioner's talent and discussed future potential rather than providing specific examples of contributions that already impacted the field. Letters about his unique cultural style did not show other artists attempted to copy that style or that he had a major impact on the field. General and conclusory assertions are insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

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The support letters generally praised the petitioner's talent and discussed future potential rather than providing specific examples of contributions that already impacted the field. Letters about his unique cultural style did not show other artists attempted to copy that style or that he had a major impact on the field. General and conclusory assertions are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-19_02_B2203; source_row=17980
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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