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 20161–20170
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mathematics / Statistics
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
national in scope
Why AAO was not persuaded
The petitioner taught approximately 30-35 students per year, and her classroom-level results did not demonstrate impact beyond her immediate students. The NCLBA did not create a blanket waiver for teachers, and general claims about the importance of education did not satisfy the national scope requirement.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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The petitioner taught approximately 30-35 students per year, and her classroom-level results did not demonstrate impact beyond her immediate students. The NCLBA did not create a blanket waiver for teachers, and general claims about the importance of education did not satisfy the national scope requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-06_01_B5203; source_row=17927 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mathematics / Statistics
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
serves national interest to substantially greater degree than available U.S. worker
Why AAO was not persuaded
The petitioner's length of experience and awards reflect local rather than national significance, and the record does not show that her accomplishments place her above available U.S. workers in a way that serves the national interest to a substantially greater degree.
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
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The petitioner's length of experience and awards reflect local rather than national significance, and the record does not show that her accomplishments place her above available U.S. workers in a way that serves the national interest to a substantially greater degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-06_01_B5203; source_row=17928 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 in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO found that hospital affiliation alone cannot establish individual contributions; that the scholarly articles criterion is separate from contributions of major significance; that a moderate citation count without context is insufficient; and that support letters lacked specificity, were largely from immediate colleagues, contained identical boilerplate language across multiple letters, and did not show actual field i…
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The AAO found that hospital affiliation alone cannot establish individual contributions; that the scholarly articles criterion is separate from contributions of major significance; that a moderate citation count without context is insufficient; and that support letters lacked specificity, were largely from immediate colleagues, contained identical boilerplate language across multiple letters, and did not show actual field impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-05_01_B2203; source_row=17919 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Kellogg language and minimum requirements of labor certification
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed with the director that the Part H, Item 14 language was not Kellogg language and lessened the minimum requirements, making it possible to qualify without a bachelor's degree.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO agreed with the director that the Part H, Item 14 language was not Kellogg language and lessened the minimum requirements, making it possible to qualify without a bachelor's degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-05_01_B5203; source_row=17924 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO raised this beyond the director's decision and concluded that without evidence of wages paid, sufficient net income or net current assets, Sonegawa factors, or details on the 35 other I-140 beneficiaries, the petitioner failed to establish ability to pay.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO raised this beyond the director's decision and concluded that without evidence of wages paid, sufficient net income or net current assets, Sonegawa factors, or details on the 35 other I-140 beneficiaries, the petitioner failed to establish ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-05_01_B5203; source_row=17925 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The AAO found that the record of proceeding contained two emails showing the petitioner completed at least one manuscript review and was asked to review revisions, which was sufficient to withdraw the director's negative finding.
Why this is useful
See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.
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The AAO found that the record of proceeding contained two emails showing the petitioner completed at least one manuscript review and was asked to review revisions, which was sufficient to withdraw the director's negative finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-05_01_B2203; source_row=17918 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 in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
The letters of support were largely conclusory and failed to provide specific examples of how the petitioner's original artistic works significantly influenced the field of modern art. Documentary evidence of exhibitions and media coverage did not demonstrate major significance absent specific evidence of impact on the field. Post-filing evidence was also excluded on eligibility-at-time-of-filing grounds.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
View full reasoning +
The letters of support were largely conclusory and failed to provide specific examples of how the petitioner's original artistic works significantly influenced the field of modern art. Documentary evidence of exhibitions and media coverage did not demonstrate major significance absent specific evidence of impact on the field. Post-filing evidence was also excluded on eligibility-at-time-of-filing grounds.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-04-30_02_B2203; source_row=17912 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c