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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 21111–21120

EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other11 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

Most awards lacked evidence of national or international recognition beyond the issuing organization's self-promotion. Primary evidence of the most significant career award was missing. Translation deficiencies further undermined the evidence. Only one potentially nationally recognized award was documented, and even that lacked compliant translations and primary evidence.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Most awards lacked evidence of national or international recognition beyond the issuing organization's self-promotion. Primary evidence of the most significant career award was missing. Translation deficiencies further undermined the evidence. Only one potentially nationally recognized award was documented, and even that lacked compliant translations and primary evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_01_B2203; source_row=16858
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other11 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner failed to provide actual box office receipts or sales data as required by the plain language of the regulation. Letters and articles provided only general assertions about ticket sales, not specific commercial success data. Translation deficiencies also undermined the evidence.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Petitioner failed to provide actual box office receipts or sales data as required by the plain language of the regulation. Letters and articles provided only general assertions about ticket sales, not specific commercial success data. Translation deficiencies also undermined the evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_01_B2203; source_row=16867
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that work experience alone cannot substitute for a baccalaureate degree, a degree from an unaccredited institution issued without classroom attendance has no evidentiary value, and the beneficiary therefore lacks the required single foreign equivalent degree plus five years of progressive experience.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO held that work experience alone cannot substitute for a baccalaureate degree, a degree from an unaccredited institution issued without classroom attendance has no evidentiary value, and the beneficiary therefore lacks the required single foreign equivalent degree plus five years of progressive experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_04_B5203; source_row=16873
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

minimum educational requirements per ETA Form 9089

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed that the beneficiary lacks any qualifying degree and, even crediting the unaccredited diploma, could not have accrued the required five years of post-degree experience before the priority date.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO affirmed that the beneficiary lacks any qualifying degree and, even crediting the unaccredited diploma, could not have accrued the required five years of post-degree experience before the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_04_B5203; source_row=16874
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay the proffered wage

Why the evidence was persuasive

Considering the W-2s showing wages paid above the proffered wage and tax returns showing adequate net income or net current assets, AAO concluded the petitioner demonstrated ability to pay.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Considering the W-2s showing wages paid above the proffered wage and tax returns showing adequate net income or net current assets, AAO concluded the petitioner demonstrated ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_04_B5203; source_row=16875
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

sixty months post-baccalaureate qualifying experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO affirmed that experience gained with the petitioner in the identical systems administrator position cannot be counted toward the sixty-month requirement. Adding only the first two eligible jobs yields approximately 56 months of post-baccalaureate experience from non-comparable employment, which is insufficient.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO affirmed that experience gained with the petitioner in the identical systems administrator position cannot be counted toward the sixty-month requirement. Adding only the first two eligible jobs yields approximately 56 months of post-baccalaureate experience from non-comparable employment, which is insufficient. USCIS has authority to make this determination independent of DOL, and while BALCA cases are not binding, they provide guidance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_02_B5203; source_row=16870
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

baccalaureate degree equivalency

What the decision said

The AAO noted inconsistencies in the beneficiary's claimed educational credentials and the credentials evaluation, raising a question about his U.S. educational equivalency, but declined to further address the issue because the appeal was resolved on the experience ground.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO noted inconsistencies in the beneficiary's claimed educational credentials and the credentials evaluation, raising a question about his U.S. educational equivalency, but declined to further address the issue because the appeal was resolved on the experience ground.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_02_B5203; source_row=16871
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other11 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

The director relied on deficient translations; the record does not support the director's determination that this criterion was met.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The director relied on deficient translations; the record does not support the director's determination that this criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_01_B2203; source_row=16864
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

specific identification of erroneous conclusion of law or fact

Why AAO was not persuaded

Counsel's appeal statement was a generic recitation of the NYSDOT factors without engaging the director's analysis or evidence; the only attached document was a copy of the director's denial notice.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Counsel's appeal statement was a generic recitation of the NYSDOT factors without engaging the director's analysis or evidence; the only attached document was a copy of the director's denial notice.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_01_B5203; source_row=16869
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Labor certification requires advanced degree professional

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO held the H.14 equivalency language was DOL-mandated boilerplate under Matter of Francis Kellogg and did not permit the employer to accept lesser qualifications than the stated primary and alternative requirements. The director's interpretation would make any labor certification with alternative requirements ineligible for advanced degree classification.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO held the H.14 equivalency language was DOL-mandated boilerplate under Matter of Francis Kellogg and did not permit the employer to accept lesser qualifications than the stated primary and alternative requirements. The director's interpretation would make any labor certification with alternative requirements ineligible for advanced degree classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-02_03_B5203; source_row=16872
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment