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.
authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications
What the decision said
The director found the petitioner failed to establish eligibility. The AAO also issued a notice of derogatory information finding the petitioner falsely claimed authorship of six books. The petitioner did not contest these findings on appeal, so the issue was considered abandoned.
Why this is useful
See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.
View full reasoning +
The director found the petitioner failed to establish eligibility. The AAO also issued a notice of derogatory information finding the petitioner falsely claimed authorship of six books. The petitioner did not contest these findings on appeal, so the issue was considered abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-09-20_01_B2203; source_row=17000 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
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO noted the director erroneously found no evidence had been submitted, but agreed with the ultimate denial. The petitioner's evidence consisted of an unverifiable letter referencing payment of 68,000 RMB and a fee chart lacking contact information, with no primary documentation or reliable basis for comparison.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The AAO noted the director erroneously found no evidence had been submitted, but agreed with the ultimate denial. The petitioner's evidence consisted of an unverifiable letter referencing payment of 68,000 RMB and a fee chart lacking contact information, with no primary documentation or reliable basis for comparison.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-09-20_01_B2203; source_row=17001 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
qualifying experience documented per 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(l)(3)(ii)(A)
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO finds two experience letters insufficient: one fails to describe job duties or indicate full/part-time, and another is not on letterhead nor from an authorized company representative.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO finds two experience letters insufficient: one fails to describe job duties or indicate full/part-time, and another is not on letterhead nor from an authorized company representative.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-09-20_04_B5203; source_row=17013 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The AAO found that the sole proprietor's adjusted gross income of $219,667 (2011) and $151,488 (2012), when supplemented by bank account statements and analyzed against personal household expenses, demonstrated the continuing ability to pay the proffered wage of $29,244 since the priority date.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The AAO found that the sole proprietor's adjusted gross income of $219,667 (2011) and $151,488 (2012), when supplemented by bank account statements and analyzed against personal household expenses, demonstrated the continuing ability to pay the proffered wage of $29,244 since the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-09-20_02_B5203; source_row=17008 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Bona fide employment relationship / no disqualifying personal relationship
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO raised this issue sua sponte via its NOID/RFE. Even without a blood relationship, a disqualifying relationship can arise from friendship. The petitioner's owner and beneficiary shared the same surname and resided together as roommates at multiple addresses, and it was not clear that DOL was aware of this relationship when certifying the labor certification.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The AAO raised this issue sua sponte via its NOID/RFE. Even without a blood relationship, a disqualifying relationship can arise from friendship. The petitioner's owner and beneficiary shared the same surname and resided together as roommates at multiple addresses, and it was not clear that DOL was aware of this relationship when certifying the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-09-20_02_B5203; source_row=17007 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The AAO found that the duties of the proffered mental health counselor position substantially matched those of a licensed professional clinical counselor under California law. The argument that the position was akin to a psychological assistant was unpersuasive because California law has specific requirements for psychological assistants (including board registration and the specific title), none of which were met by the pe…
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The AAO found that the duties of the proffered mental health counselor position substantially matched those of a licensed professional clinical counselor under California law. The argument that the position was akin to a psychological assistant was unpersuasive because California law has specific requirements for psychological assistants (including board registration and the specific title), none of which were met by the petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-09-20_02_B5203; source_row=17006 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
On the prior appeal AAO withdrew the director's experience-based ground, finding the petitioner had submitted sufficient evidence to establish the beneficiary's work experience as required by the labor certification.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
On the prior appeal AAO withdrew the director's experience-based ground, finding the petitioner had submitted sufficient evidence to establish the beneficiary's work experience as required by the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-09-20_03_B5203; source_row=17011 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
national in scope
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that claims about teacher shortages establish national scope of education as a whole but not that one ESOL teacher individually produces national-level benefits. Moreover, the key evidence of national-scope activity (blog, articles, conferences) postdated the May 2012 filing date and could not establish eligibility as of that date.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
View full reasoning +
AAO found that claims about teacher shortages establish national scope of education as a whole but not that one ESOL teacher individually produces national-level benefits. Moreover, the key evidence of national-scope activity (blog, articles, conferences) postdated the May 2012 filing date and could not establish eligibility as of that date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-09-20_01_B5203; source_row=17004 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c