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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 20141–20150
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
PhysicsPhD
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
national in scope
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the high citation count reflected the work of the large collaboration as a whole, not the petitioner as an individual. The new Google Scholar printout showing only 134 citations to works the petitioner had meaningful roles in, including a sharp decline post-collaboration, did not establish national scope of his individual influence. His post-collaboration work had minimal citations.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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AAO found the high citation count reflected the work of the large collaboration as a whole, not the petitioner as an individual. The new Google Scholar printout showing only 134 citations to works the petitioner had meaningful roles in, including a sharp decline post-collaboration, did not establish national scope of his individual influence. His post-collaboration work had minimal citations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-13_01_B5203; source_row=17949 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
PhysicsPhD
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial intrinsic merit
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that while particle physics research and cancer-related medical imaging have intrinsic merit, the petitioner's individual contributions to the collaboration's work were not clearly established, and his more recent work remained speculative as to impact. The intrinsic merit of cancer research as a field was acknowledged but the petitioner's personal contributions fell short.
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
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AAO found that while particle physics research and cancer-related medical imaging have intrinsic merit, the petitioner's individual contributions to the collaboration's work were not clearly established, and his more recent work remained speculative as to impact. The intrinsic merit of cancer research as a field was acknowledged but the petitioner's personal contributions fell short.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-13_01_B5203; source_row=17948 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found no evidence that the shows had a distinguished reputation (one article indicated low ratings), no evidence a TV show equates to an organization, and contracts only set parameters of the relationship without showing a leading or critical role.
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AAO found no evidence that the shows had a distinguished reputation (one article indicated low ratings), no evidence a TV show equates to an organization, and contracts only set parameters of the relationship without showing a leading or critical role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=17945 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found no independent ratings data establishing the series were highly rated or that the petitioner was responsible for ratings, and the album was not shown to be a commercial success; petitioner's field is acting, not music.
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AAO found no independent ratings data establishing the series were highly rated or that the petitioner was responsible for ratings, and the album was not shown to be a commercial success; petitioner's field is acting, not music.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=17947 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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
AAO found the letters contained bare assertions of acclaim and vague claims of contributions without specific examples demonstrating impact in the field beyond the petitioner's employer and clients. The advisory opinion was not based on prior knowledge of the petitioner.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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AAO found the letters contained bare assertions of acclaim and vague claims of contributions without specific examples demonstrating impact in the field beyond the petitioner's employer and clients. The advisory opinion was not based on prior knowledge of the petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=17943 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO held that an actress performing in a television show is performing, not displaying tangible art at exhibitions or showcases, and that the visual-arts interpretation has been upheld by federal court.
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AAO held that an actress performing in a television show is performing, not displaying tangible art at exhibitions or showcases, and that the visual-arts interpretation has been upheld by federal court.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=17944 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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
AAO found the petitioner provided no documentary evidence of comparison earnings of others in the field, no evidence that primary or secondary evidence is unavailable, and the letters were not affidavits.
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AAO found the petitioner provided no documentary evidence of comparison earnings of others in the field, no evidence that primary or secondary evidence is unavailable, and the letters were not affidavits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=17946 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material about the alien
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found that on appeal the petitioner submitted an acceptable certification and the documentary evidence is sufficient to meet the plain language of 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3)(iii).
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AAO found that on appeal the petitioner submitted an acceptable certification and the documentary evidence is sufficient to meet the plain language of 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3)(iii).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=17942 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Beneficiary possesses advanced degree or equivalent (bachelor's plus five years progressive experience)
Why AAO was not persuaded
The beneficiary's confirmed employment at one company lasted only three and a half years, short of five years. The beneficiary's own affidavit for prior business ownership was not supported by sufficient independent objective evidence, and documentary inconsistencies (e.g., business plan pre-dating articles of incorporation) undermined the claimed prior experience.…
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The beneficiary's confirmed employment at one company lasted only three and a half years, short of five years. The beneficiary's own affidavit for prior business ownership was not supported by sufficient independent objective evidence, and documentary inconsistencies (e.g., business plan pre-dating articles of incorporation) undermined the claimed prior experience. The relevance of the earlier business experience to the offered Industrial Engineer/Quantitative Analyst position was also unclear.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-09_01_B5203; source_row=17941 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
USCIS has authority under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(4)(i) to evaluate both primary and alternate requirements of the labor certification to determine whether the position qualifies as an advanced degree professional position.…
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USCIS has authority under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(4)(i) to evaluate both primary and alternate requirements of the labor certification to determine whether the position qualifies as an advanced degree professional position. The alternate requirements permitting unspecified education plus four years of experience (reducible to two years for a bachelor's degree holder) fall short of the regulatory minimum of a bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive experience, and therefore the position does not qualify.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-09_01_B5203; source_row=17940 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c