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.
AAO independently found that the petitioner willfully misrepresented authorship of a poem material to criteria (v) and (vi); the petitioner did not respond to the notice of intent.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO independently found that the petitioner willfully misrepresented authorship of a poem material to criteria (v) and (vi); the petitioner did not respond to the notice of intent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-01_01_B2203; source_row=16281 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The American Heart Association card showed only completion of training, not association membership, and was issued after filing. The CNA dues evidence was unsupported and post-dated filing. The nursing license was already counted under criterion (C). Additionally, nursing was not shown to be a 'profession' requiring a baccalaureate.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The American Heart Association card showed only completion of training, not association membership, and was issued after filing. The CNA dues evidence was unsupported and post-dated filing. The nursing license was already counted under criterion (C). Additionally, nursing was not shown to be a 'profession' requiring a baccalaureate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-30_02_B5203; source_row=16280 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
Counsel's argument that orchestra positions, festival performances, and competition placements are 'comparable evidence' under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(4) fails because those examples directly map to other regulatory criteria, and the petitioner did not show the membership criterion is inapplicable to violinists.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Counsel's argument that orchestra positions, festival performances, and competition placements are 'comparable evidence' under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(4) fails because those examples directly map to other regulatory criteria, and the petitioner did not show the membership criterion is inapplicable to violinists.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=16268 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 reference letters from instructors and supervisors praise the petitioner's talent and performances but do not provide specific examples of how her original work has impacted the field at a level of major significance.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
View full reasoning +
The reference letters from instructors and supervisors praise the petitioner's talent and performances but do not provide specific examples of how her original work has impacted the field at a level of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=16269 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why AAO was not persuaded
The petitioner's awards consisted largely of institutional honors from her undergraduate alma mater, scholarships, and participation certificates from age-restricted or non-professional competitions. There is no documentary evidence the awards were recognized beyond the presenting organizations and a local newspaper.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The petitioner's awards consisted largely of institutional honors from her undergraduate alma mater, scholarships, and participation certificates from age-restricted or non-professional competitions. There is no documentary evidence the awards were recognized beyond the presenting organizations and a local newspaper.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=16267 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
procedural or other
petitioner signature requirement
Why AAO was not persuaded
The petition lacks the petitioner's signature; counsel cannot sign on behalf of the petitioner, so the petition was not properly filed and must be rejected.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The petition lacks the petitioner's signature; counsel cannot sign on behalf of the petitioner, so the petition was not properly filed and must be rejected.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=16266 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found that the totality of the evidence — national records across all open categories, national championship title, top international rankings, and qualification as one of a select group of judges entitled to judge at the highest international level — demonstrated sustained acclaim and that the petitioner is among the small percentage at the top of the field.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found that the totality of the evidence — national records across all open categories, national championship title, top international rankings, and qualification as one of a select group of judges entitled to judge at the highest international level — demonstrated sustained acclaim and that the petitioner is among the small percentage at the top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-30_02_B2203; source_row=16277 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c