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 20811–20820

EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

This criterion is limited to the visual arts. As the petitioner is a musician and not a visual artist who created tangible pieces of art displayed at exhibitions or showcases, the criterion does not apply and the petitioner has not submitted qualifying evidence.

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Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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This criterion is limited to the visual arts. As the petitioner is a musician and not a visual artist who created tangible pieces of art displayed at exhibitions or showcases, the criterion does not apply and the petitioner has not submitted qualifying evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_04_B2203; source_row=17199
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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

Performances with orchestras are not necessarily original contributions of major significance, as performances are attributable to many musicians and the record lacked evidence of broad field-wide impact. Support letters either discuss the critical role of concertmaster generally (not original field contributions) or predict future impact rather than demonstrating present contributions of major significance.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Performances with orchestras are not necessarily original contributions of major significance, as performances are attributable to many musicians and the record lacked evidence of broad field-wide impact. Support letters either discuss the critical role of concertmaster generally (not original field contributions) or predict future impact rather than demonstrating present contributions of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_04_B2203; source_row=17198
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits — widespread acclaim and international recognition; work requires exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

Even viewed in the aggregate, the evidence did not demonstrate widespread acclaim and international recognition. Additionally, the petitioner failed to show that the beneficiary's past or intended work requires exceptional ability rather than competent professional ability.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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Even viewed in the aggregate, the evidence did not demonstrate widespread acclaim and international recognition. Additionally, the petitioner failed to show that the beneficiary's past or intended work requires exceptional ability rather than competent professional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_05_B5203; source_row=17218
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed with the director that the record supports a finding that the petitioner participated as a judge of the work of others.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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The AAO agreed with the director that the record supports a finding that the petitioner participated as a judge of the work of others.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_02_B2203; source_row=17181
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that counsel's assertions about the Chinese coaching system were unsupported by independent record evidence, and that evidence of the petitioner's personal athletic achievements and his employer's coaching acclaim were not probative of the petitioner's own coaching ability. The limited judging record and overall evidence did not establish the petitioner as among the small percentage at the very top of his field.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The AAO found that counsel's assertions about the Chinese coaching system were unsupported by independent record evidence, and that evidence of the petitioner's personal athletic achievements and his employer's coaching acclaim were not probative of the petitioner's own coaching ability. The limited judging record and overall evidence did not establish the petitioner as among the small percentage at the very top of his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_02_B2203; source_row=17183
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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

The petitioner did not identify any factual or legal error relating to this criterion on appeal, and the record supports the director's conclusion.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The petitioner did not identify any factual or legal error relating to this criterion on appeal, and the record supports the director's conclusion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_02_B2203; source_row=17182
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences99 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The citation list submitted was of related-topic articles predating the petitioner's work, not articles citing her work. Expert letters were vague and conclusory without specific examples of impact. Patent evidence submitted for the first time on appeal was not considered because the director's RFE had specifically requested it. Conference letters lacked evidence of impact on the field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The citation list submitted was of related-topic articles predating the petitioner's work, not articles citing her work. Expert letters were vague and conclusory without specific examples of impact. Patent evidence submitted for the first time on appeal was not considered because the director's RFE had specifically requested it. Conference letters lacked evidence of impact on the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_05_B2203; source_row=17207
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences99 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

The petitioner previously claimed evidence under this criterion but did not assert eligibility on appeal, thereby abandoning the claim.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The petitioner previously claimed evidence under this criterion but did not assert eligibility on appeal, thereby abandoning the claim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_05_B2203; source_row=17209
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via net income / tax returns

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacked the petitioner's 2011 and 2012 federal income tax returns despite being requested. Without these required documents, net income and net current assets could not be determined for the relevant years.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The record lacked the petitioner's 2011 and 2012 federal income tax returns despite being requested. Without these required documents, net income and net current assets could not be determined for the relevant years.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_01_B5203; source_row=17177
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via wages paid to beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

Two versions of the beneficiary's 2012 Form 1099-MISC showed different amounts ($23,489 vs. $24,750) with no explanation, and the business checks submitted were incomplete, inconsistent with the employment certification letter, and showed sequencing anomalies. These unresolved discrepancies prevented a finding that the petitioner paid the beneficiary an amount equal to or greater than the proffered wage.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
Two versions of the beneficiary's 2012 Form 1099-MISC showed different amounts ($23,489 vs. $24,750) with no explanation, and the business checks submitted were incomplete, inconsistent with the employment certification letter, and showed sequencing anomalies. These unresolved discrepancies prevented a finding that the petitioner paid the beneficiary an amount equal to or greater than the proffered wage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-12_01_B5203; source_row=17176
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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