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.
license to practice or certification (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C)) / comparable evidence
Why AAO was not persuaded
Petitioner did not support his assertion that his occupation is not subject to licensing requirements, did not identify which evidence should be considered comparable, and did not explain how it is comparable.
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Petitioner did not support his assertion that his occupation is not subject to licensing requirements, did not identify which evidence should be considered comparable, and did not explain how it is comparable.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_05_B5203; source_row=42052 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · High remuneration
high salary or remuneration
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found the Director misread the income tax records, confusing the tax paid amount with the actual salary. The Petitioner's true remuneration of RMB 1,958,142 was well above comparator wage ranges, satisfying the high salary criterion.
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AAO found the Director misread the income tax records, confusing the tax paid amount with the actual salary. The Petitioner's true remuneration of RMB 1,958,142 was well above comparator wage ranges, satisfying the high salary criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_05_B2203; source_row=42050 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Because the Petitioner satisfied three criteria through other evidence, AAO expressly reserved the awards criterion as unnecessary to the ultimate decision, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
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Because the Petitioner satisfied three criteria through other evidence, AAO expressly reserved the awards criterion as unnecessary to the ultimate decision, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_05_B2203; source_row=42047 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the Director improperly dismissed the evidence by categorically excluding self-employed, temporary, or contractual workers from the criterion without legal authority or guidance, remanding for proper analysis.
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AAO found the Director improperly dismissed the evidence by categorically excluding self-employed, temporary, or contractual workers from the criterion without legal authority or guidance, remanding for proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_02_B2203; source_row=42028 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lead or critical role for organizations or establishments with distinguished reputations
What the decision said
AAO declined to address this criterion because the Petitioner made only a passing reference on appeal without providing legal support or identifying any factual or legal errors.
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AAO declined to address this criterion because the Petitioner made only a passing reference on appeal without providing legal support or identifying any factual or legal errors.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_03_B2203; source_row=42037 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO withdrew the Director's categorical exclusion because the Petitioner's video sketches involve acting, a performing art. However, AAO still found the criterion not met because no documentation of actual revenues from advertising, sponsorships, or monetization was provided—only an unreliable third-party estimate with a prominent disclaimer. Potential future earnings cannot establish current eligibility.
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AAO withdrew the Director's categorical exclusion because the Petitioner's video sketches involve acting, a performing art. However, AAO still found the criterion not met because no documentation of actual revenues from advertising, sponsorships, or monetization was provided—only an unreliable third-party estimate with a prominent disclaimer. Potential future earnings cannot establish current eligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_03_B2203; source_row=42038 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the Petitioner's Ph.D. and postdoctoral work to be positive factors, but concluded that his citation record did not sufficiently demonstrate progress toward the proposed endeavor because he was not the principal investigator on key works.…
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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 the Petitioner's Ph.D. and postdoctoral work to be positive factors, but concluded that his citation record did not sufficiently demonstrate progress toward the proposed endeavor because he was not the principal investigator on key works. The record lacked evidence of the Petitioner obtaining his own funding, having a concrete plan for future activities, or attracting independent interest or investment in his own proposed endeavor. Participation in funded research by others was insufficient to show the kind of support seen in Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-25_03_B5203; source_row=42011 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found that the Petitioner's change in plan from a post-doctoral fellowship to an unspecified research position, lack of evidence of interest from prospective institutions, the NSF grant being tied to his current institution rather than portable, and only four citations for his magnetic motor work were collectively insufficient to demonstrate he was well-positioned to advance his proposed endeavor.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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AAO found that the Petitioner's change in plan from a post-doctoral fellowship to an unspecified research position, lack of evidence of interest from prospective institutions, the NSF grant being tied to his current institution rather than portable, and only four citations for his magnetic motor work were collectively insufficient to demonstrate he was well-positioned to advance his proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-25_01_B5203; source_row=41996 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c