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.
Ability to pay via wages actually paid to beneficiary
Why AAO was not persuaded
The IRS Form W-2 showed the beneficiary was paid only $84,386.18 in 2012, and adding $3,500.00 in nontaxable income yields $87,886.18 total — still well below the $120,875.00 proffered wage. Counsel's arguments about unpaid vacation and fringe benefits were unpersuasive or unsupported by adequate documentation.
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The IRS Form W-2 showed the beneficiary was paid only $84,386.18 in 2012, and adding $3,500.00 in nontaxable income yields $87,886.18 total — still well below the $120,875.00 proffered wage. Counsel's arguments about unpaid vacation and fringe benefits were unpersuasive or unsupported by adequate documentation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-12_02_B5203; source_row=17406 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found the petitioner's extensive media coverage, cross-media persona appearances, commercial product associations, and international prominence in the lucha libre circuit collectively establish sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field of professional wrestling.
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AAO found the petitioner's extensive media coverage, cross-media persona appearances, commercial product associations, and international prominence in the lucha libre circuit collectively establish sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field of professional wrestling.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-12_01_B2203; source_row=17404 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO exercised de novo review and found that at least two of the submitted wrestling titles are nationally recognized prizes or awards in the field, as documented by major media references and a letter from an organization president noting the petitioner's rise to prominence upon winning one such title.
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AAO exercised de novo review and found that at least two of the submitted wrestling titles are nationally recognized prizes or awards in the field, as documented by major media references and a letter from an organization president noting the petitioner's rise to prominence upon winning one such title.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-12_01_B2203; source_row=17401 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Environment / EnergyPostdoctoral Researcher
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
The reference letters were largely vague, conclusory, or focused on mastery of existing techniques and future potential rather than past contributions of major significance. Citation evidence was moderate and not supplemented with context demonstrating wide impact. No evidence linked the petitioner's research to actual policy outcomes or widespread adoption by other scientists.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The reference letters were largely vague, conclusory, or focused on mastery of existing techniques and future potential rather than past contributions of major significance. Citation evidence was moderate and not supplemented with context demonstrating wide impact. No evidence linked the petitioner's research to actual policy outcomes or widespread adoption by other scientists.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-11_01_B2203; source_row=17397 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
What the decision said
The director found the petitioner did not meet this criterion and the petitioner did not identify any factual or legal error on appeal, so the claim was abandoned.
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The director found the petitioner did not meet this criterion and the petitioner did not identify any factual or legal error on appeal, so the claim was abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-11_01_B2203; source_row=17395 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 in relation to others in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO withdrew the director's finding because the translations failed to comply with 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3) due to a blanket certification, and even if translations were compliant, the online salary data lacked basic reliability information (no URL), and earning above median income is insufficient to demonstrate high or significantly high remuneration.
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AAO withdrew the director's finding because the translations failed to comply with 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3) due to a blanket certification, and even if translations were compliant, the online salary data lacked basic reliability information (no URL), and earning above median income is insufficient to demonstrate high or significantly high remuneration.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-09_01_B2203; source_row=17393 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed that individual acting projects are not the equivalents of organizations or establishments, that support letters addressed only the petitioner's influence on individual projects not the organizations as a whole, and that even if one claimed role could satisfy the criterion, the petitioner failed to show leading or critical roles for multiple organizations as required by the plural language of the regulation.
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AAO agreed that individual acting projects are not the equivalents of organizations or establishments, that support letters addressed only the petitioner's influence on individual projects not the organizations as a whole, and that even if one claimed role could satisfy the criterion, the petitioner failed to show leading or critical roles for multiple organizations as required by the plural language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-09_01_B2203; source_row=17392 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c