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 20531–20540
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established
Case facts
Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringBachelor’s
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · High remuneration
commanding a salary demonstrating exceptional ability
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that BLS data showed mechanical engineers in oil and gas extraction in Texas earn substantially higher salaries than the national average, so the petitioner's salary was not shown to exceed what is ordinarily encountered in his specific sector and region. The evidence did not establish that his compensation demonstrates exceptional ability.
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AAO found that BLS data showed mechanical engineers in oil and gas extraction in Texas earn substantially higher salaries than the national average, so the petitioner's salary was not shown to exceed what is ordinarily encountered in his specific sector and region. The evidence did not establish that his compensation demonstrates exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-01-15_02_B5203; source_row=17523 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO conducted the final merits determination and found that the totality of evidence did not establish a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered. The petitioner's academic degree is below the norm, certificates reflect short-term training, salary was not shown to be exceptional in the oil and gas sector in Texas, memberships lacked demonstrated expertise requirements, and recognition came primari…
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO conducted the final merits determination and found that the totality of evidence did not establish a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered. The petitioner's academic degree is below the norm, certificates reflect short-term training, salary was not shown to be exceptional in the oil and gas sector in Texas, memberships lacked demonstrated expertise requirements, and recognition came primarily from within the petitioner's employer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-01-15_02_B5203; source_row=17526 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mathematics / Statistics
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
national interest substantially greater than available U.S. worker
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the petitioner's evidence failed to demonstrate influence on the field as a whole, that counsel's unsupported assertions about foreign teachers being more qualified did not constitute evidence, and that no blanket waiver exists for teachers as a class. The petitioner has not established a past record of achievement sufficient to meet the NYSDOT threshold.
Why this is useful
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 failed to demonstrate influence on the field as a whole, that counsel's unsupported assertions about foreign teachers being more qualified did not constitute evidence, and that no blanket waiver exists for teachers as a class. The petitioner has not established a past record of achievement sufficient to meet the NYSDOT threshold.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-01-15_01_B5203; source_row=17519 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
recognition for achievements and significant contributions
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the evidence did not demonstrate recognition for significant contributions to the field as distinguished from contributions to the petitioner's employer. Acknowledgement within the company is not the same as recognition in the field, and patents and articles are not themselves recognition for achievements. The issue was ultimately deemed moot because the petitioner met at least three other criteria.
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AAO found the evidence did not demonstrate recognition for significant contributions to the field as distinguished from contributions to the petitioner's employer. Acknowledgement within the company is not the same as recognition in the field, and patents and articles are not themselves recognition for achievements. The issue was ultimately deemed moot because the petitioner met at least three other criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-01-15_02_B5203; source_row=17525 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringBachelor’s
Issue evaluated
license or certification
license or certification for a profession or occupation
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the certificates denote training in specialized tasks and techniques rather than certification for a particular profession or occupation. None came from a government licensing board or private certifying entity with authority over the industry, and the petitioner's completion of short-term training courses does not establish certification for the occupation itself.
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AAO found the certificates denote training in specialized tasks and techniques rather than certification for a particular profession or occupation. None came from a government licensing board or private certifying entity with authority over the industry, and the petitioner's completion of short-term training courses does not establish certification for the occupation itself.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-01-15_02_B5203; source_row=17522 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO agreed with counsel that the petitioner holds a relevant academic degree and that this satisfies the plain language of the criterion, deferring any sufficiency concerns to the final merits determination.
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AAO agreed with counsel that the petitioner holds a relevant academic degree and that this satisfies the plain language of the criterion, deferring any sufficiency concerns to the final merits determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-01-15_02_B5203; source_row=17520 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringBachelor’s
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial intrinsic merit
What the decision said
AAO did not separately address the first NYSDOT prong but resolved the NIW against the petitioner on the third prong and the threshold exceptional ability issue.
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 did not separately address the first NYSDOT prong but resolved the NIW against the petitioner on the third prong and the threshold exceptional ability issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-01-15_02_B5203; source_row=17527 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mathematics / Statistics
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
national in scope
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the reference letters and other evidence only addressed the petitioner's local impact at her schools, and general arguments about the national importance of education or STEM do not establish that an individual teacher's work is national in scope. NYSDOT itself cited schoolteachers as an example of workers whose individual impact is generally not national in scope.
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Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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AAO found that the reference letters and other evidence only addressed the petitioner's local impact at her schools, and general arguments about the national importance of education or STEM do not establish that an individual teacher's work is national in scope. NYSDOT itself cited schoolteachers as an example of workers whose individual impact is generally not national in scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-01-15_01_B5203; source_row=17518 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c