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 20612070

EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The evidence reflects remuneration for work as a social media influencer and content creator but does not show how that work received high sales, receipts, or comparable evidence of commercial success relative to others in the performing arts. AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion.

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The evidence reflects remuneration for work as a social media influencer and content creator but does not show how that work received high sales, receipts, or comparable evidence of commercial success relative to others in the performing arts. AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_07_B2203; source_row=42066
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record does not show the endeavor would extend beyond the business's direct clientele to impact the broader automotive market at a national level. Broader impact claims were unsupported and attenuated, the business plan lacked operational detail, and the expert letter was given minimal probative value for failing to address how national implications would be produced.…

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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 the record does not show the endeavor would extend beyond the business's direct clientele to impact the broader automotive market at a national level. Broader impact claims were unsupported and attenuated, the business plan lacked operational detail, and the expert letter was given minimal probative value for failing to address how national implications would be produced. AAO did find substantial merit satisfied, a sub-element the Director omitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_07_B5203; source_row=42070
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 demonstrated membership in PPA and AUTIS but failed to show that membership in either association requires outstanding achievements of its members as judged by recognized national or international experts in the field.

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The Petitioner demonstrated membership in PPA and AUTIS but failed to show that membership in either association requires outstanding achievements of its members as judged by recognized national or international experts in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_04_B2203; source_row=42039
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 in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

Foreign language articles lacked required English translations; the English article only credited the Petitioner as photographer without discussing him or his work; the YouTube screenshots lacked a transcript demonstrating published material about the Petitioner; and no evidence established any publication or program qualified as professional, major trade, or major media.

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Foreign language articles lacked required English translations; the English article only credited the Petitioner as photographer without discussing him or his work; the YouTube screenshots lacked a transcript demonstrating published material about the Petitioner; and no evidence established any publication or program qualified as professional, major trade, or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_04_B2203; source_row=42040
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

PhysicsPhysicianPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's well-reasoned decision, finding that publication in high-ranking journals does not show individual influence, citation metrics did not establish eligibility at filing or properly compare the petitioner's subfield, co-authorship of one highly cited paper does not automatically demonstrate success, the future-activities plan lacked documentation of means/funding, and occasional peer rev…

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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 adopted and affirmed the Director's well-reasoned decision, finding that publication in high-ranking journals does not show individual influence, citation metrics did not establish eligibility at filing or properly compare the petitioner's subfield, co-authorship of one highly cited paper does not automatically demonstrate success, the future-activities plan lacked documentation of means/funding, and occasional peer review did not show being well positioned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_06_B5203; source_row=42063
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

Membership in YouTube Shorts creators' community only requires active creation of short videos and policy compliance. Though invitation-only, there is no indication that invitations are issued by nationally or internationally recognized experts or only to creators with outstanding achievements. The Director's error in requiring a 'professional' association was harmless.

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Membership in YouTube Shorts creators' community only requires active creation of short videos and policy compliance. Though invitation-only, there is no indication that invitations are issued by nationally or internationally recognized experts or only to creators with outstanding achievements. The Director's error in requiring a 'professional' association was harmless.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_03_B2203; source_row=42033
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original artistic contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

Qualifying under other criteria does not constitute proof of an original contribution of major significance. Popularity is not synonymous with originality or significance; the record lacks documentation showing how viral videos affected the field, whether other influencers adopted her methods, or which contributions are considered original.

Why this is useful

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

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Qualifying under other criteria does not constitute proof of an original contribution of major significance. Popularity is not synonymous with originality or significance; the record lacks documentation showing how viral videos affected the field, whether other influencers adopted her methods, or which contributions are considered original.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_03_B2203; source_row=42035
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 regional Brazilian-American newspaper award is not shown to be nationally or internationally recognized; only the co-sponsor and the Petitioner's hometown newspaper covered it. The TikTok award lacked any evidence of national or international significance. The YouTube subscriber award requires only posting activity and policy compliance, not excellence.

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The regional Brazilian-American newspaper award is not shown to be nationally or internationally recognized; only the co-sponsor and the Petitioner's hometown newspaper covered it. The TikTok award lacked any evidence of national or international significance. The YouTube subscriber award requires only posting activity and policy compliance, not excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_03_B2203; source_row=42032
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 in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the Brazilian Times has only regional circulation of 16,000 copies with no evidence it is a major publication; the hometown Brazilian newspaper has a circulation of only 4,500 printed copies; and TV Horizonte is described only as the biggest Catholic TV channel in one Brazilian state, without evidence of high viewership relative to secular channels nationally.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the Brazilian Times has only regional circulation of 16,000 copies with no evidence it is a major publication; the hometown Brazilian newspaper has a circulation of only 4,500 printed copies; and TV Horizonte is described only as the biggest Catholic TV channel in one Brazilian state, without evidence of high viewership relative to secular channels nationally.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_03_B2203; source_row=42034
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

Both displays showed only the Petitioner's photograph and explanatory text, not her actual video work product. A billboard is an advertising medium, not an artistic exhibition. The organization's display is a community history and information display, not a display of art.

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Both displays showed only the Petitioner's photograph and explanatory text, not her actual video work product. A billboard is an advertising medium, not an artistic exhibition. The organization's display is a community history and information display, not a display of art.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_03_B2203; source_row=42036
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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