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.
Original scientific or scholarly research contributions of major significance (20 C.F.R. § 656.15(d)(1)(v))
Why AAO was not persuaded
Letters did not claim original scientific or scholarly contributions of major significance, and vague solicited letters from local colleagues are insufficient.
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Letters did not claim original scientific or scholarly contributions of major significance, and vague solicited letters from local colleagues are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-22_09_B5203; source_row=16471 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Beneficiary meets minimum education on labor certification
Why AAO was not persuaded
EDGE information shows the Indian three-year B.S. plus M.S. is comparable only to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The private evaluator failed to compare the credentials to a U.S. master's degree and did not rely on peer-reviewed materials, making it unpersuasive. The labor certification required a master's degree with no alternative combination permitted.
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EDGE information shows the Indian three-year B.S. plus M.S. is comparable only to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The private evaluator failed to compare the credentials to a U.S. master's degree and did not rely on peer-reviewed materials, making it unpersuasive. The labor certification required a master's degree with no alternative combination permitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-22_10_B5203; source_row=16475 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Continuing ability to pay proffered wage from priority date
Why AAO was not persuaded
The beneficiary was paid less than the proffered wage each year from 2008–2010. The Schedule C showed net losses each year, insufficient to cover the wage gap. The Sonegawa totality-of-circumstances analysis did not help the petitioner because it showed no significant growth, outstanding reputation, or extraordinary circumstances explaining the shortfall.
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The beneficiary was paid less than the proffered wage each year from 2008–2010. The Schedule C showed net losses each year, insufficient to cover the wage gap. The Sonegawa totality-of-circumstances analysis did not help the petitioner because it showed no significant growth, outstanding reputation, or extraordinary circumstances explaining the shortfall.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-22_10_B5203; source_row=16476 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found that the record contained conflicting information about the festival, the supporting letters were merely congratulatory without establishing national or international recognition, and even if the award qualified, the petitioner failed to submit qualifying evidence of more than one nationally or internationally recognized prize or award as required by the plural language of the regulation.
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AAO found that the record contained conflicting information about the festival, the supporting letters were merely congratulatory without establishing national or international recognition, and even if the award qualified, the petitioner failed to submit qualifying evidence of more than one nationally or internationally recognized prize or award as required by the plural language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-21_02_B2203; source_row=16432 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 letters praised the petitioner's work and affirmed the originality of her work, but did not establish that she had made original contributions of major significance in the field or demonstrate impact at a level consistent with such a contribution.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The letters praised the petitioner's work and affirmed the originality of her work, but did not establish that she had made original contributions of major significance in the field or demonstrate impact at a level consistent with such a contribution.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-21_02_B2203; source_row=16436 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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
Considering all evidence in the aggregate, the petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that she is among the small percentage at the very top of the field.…
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Considering all evidence in the aggregate, the petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that she is among the small percentage at the very top of the field. Awards lacked evidence of national/international recognition, judging was a single event in 2002, published material did not include major national publications, and exhibition evidence did not demonstrate a level of distinction setting her apart from others.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-21_02_B2203; source_row=16438 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Why AAO was not persuaded
Only four of ten articles were primarily about the petitioner. The newspaper cited was not printed in a predominant language in the United States. None of the articles included the author, and two lacked dates. All were foreign language documents lacking sufficient translator certifications.
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Only four of ten articles were primarily about the petitioner. The newspaper cited was not printed in a predominant language in the United States. None of the articles included the author, and two lacked dates. All were foreign language documents lacking sufficient translator certifications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-21_01_B2203; source_row=16426 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
Letters were vague and failed to identify specific original contributions or their impact on the field. Claims of cultural contributions were unspecific and some were forward-looking. Foreign language documents lacked sufficient certifications. Awards and leading role evidence cannot be presumed to satisfy this separate criterion.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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Letters were vague and failed to identify specific original contributions or their impact on the field. Claims of cultural contributions were unspecific and some were forward-looking. Foreign language documents lacked sufficient certifications. Awards and leading role evidence cannot be presumed to satisfy this separate criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-21_01_B2203; source_row=16427 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
Concert programs did not establish a critical role or the distinguished reputation of the organizations. The supporting letter did not provide evidence of the organization's distinguished reputation. Counsel's historical assertions were not evidence. Even if one qualifying organization were shown, the regulation requires evidence of qualifying roles at organizations in the plural.
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Concert programs did not establish a critical role or the distinguished reputation of the organizations. The supporting letter did not provide evidence of the organization's distinguished reputation. Counsel's historical assertions were not evidence. Even if one qualifying organization were shown, the regulation requires evidence of qualifying roles at organizations in the plural.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-21_01_B2203; source_row=16428 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c