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.

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10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 21911–21920

EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The testimonial letters merely repeated statutory language and attested to the quality of the petitioner's services without documenting major impact on the field. Other letters undermined the claim of originality by noting that other international medical consultants exist. Additionally, the petitioner's business is a singular contribution, whereas the regulation requires 'contributions' in the plural.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

View full reasoning +
The testimonial letters merely repeated statutory language and attested to the quality of the petitioner's services without documenting major impact on the field. Other letters undermined the claim of originality by noting that other international medical consultants exist. Additionally, the petitioner's business is a singular contribution, whereas the regulation requires 'contributions' in the plural.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_04_B2203; source_row=15962
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhysician

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The reference/expert letters primarily contained bare assertions and conclusory statements of acclaim without specific examples of how the petitioner's contributions rose to major significance. Letters praising the art magazine lacked specific, objective, and independent corroboration of its claimed status. At least seven letters contained strikingly similar language suggesting the authors did not write their own words.…

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

View full reasoning +
The reference/expert letters primarily contained bare assertions and conclusory statements of acclaim without specific examples of how the petitioner's contributions rose to major significance. Letters praising the art magazine lacked specific, objective, and independent corroboration of its claimed status. At least seven letters contained strikingly similar language suggesting the authors did not write their own words. Where some evidence of originality existed, it was not supported by evidence that those contributions were of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_01_B2203; source_row=15933
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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

Commercial success and popularity of artwork do not necessarily indicate major significance in the field. The IP infringement action reflects protection of personal property rights, not wider field impact. Testimonial letters contained conclusory remarks about local examples and did not demonstrate contributions of major significance.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

View full reasoning +
Commercial success and popularity of artwork do not necessarily indicate major significance in the field. The IP infringement action reflects protection of personal property rights, not wider field impact. Testimonial letters contained conclusory remarks about local examples and did not demonstrate contributions of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_02_B2203; source_row=15942
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

Most clippings only refer to the petitioner in a photograph and caption, or have only partial translations. Two articles were found to be about the petitioner, but the petitioner failed to submit documentation showing the newspaper qualifies as major media or that the magazine is a professional or major trade publication.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Most clippings only refer to the petitioner in a photograph and caption, or have only partial translations. Two articles were found to be about the petitioner, but the petitioner failed to submit documentation showing the newspaper qualifies as major media or that the magazine is a professional or major trade publication.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_02_B2203; source_row=15940
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other9 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The expert letters were largely conclusory and from the petitioner's own colleagues and supervisors, without specific examples of independent widespread application. Citation counts were minimal to moderate (none exceeding 33 independent citations), and letters described potential future impact rather than established major significance at the time of filing.…

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

View full reasoning +
The expert letters were largely conclusory and from the petitioner's own colleagues and supervisors, without specific examples of independent widespread application. Citation counts were minimal to moderate (none exceeding 33 independent citations), and letters described potential future impact rather than established major significance at the time of filing. Publications and presentations alone are insufficient absent evidence of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_03_B2203; source_row=15956
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other9 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards for excellence

Why AAO was not persuaded

All submitted items were academic or student-level awards from the petitioner's alma maters, not nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence in the field of endeavor. Scholarships represent financial support for studies, and competition was limited to other students, not experienced researchers in the field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
All submitted items were academic or student-level awards from the petitioner's alma maters, not nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence in the field of endeavor. Scholarships represent financial support for studies, and competition was limited to other students, not experienced researchers in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_03_B2203; source_row=15952
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO affirmed the director's finding that criterion (F) was satisfied.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO affirmed the director's finding that criterion (F) was satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_02_B5203; source_row=15950
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

commanded salary demonstrating exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO withdrew the director's finding, noting the regulation nowhere requires salary to be in the top ten percentile, and found the beneficiary's wages significantly above the DOL level 4 prevailing wage satisfies the criterion.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO withdrew the director's finding, noting the regulation nowhere requires salary to be in the top ten percentile, and found the beneficiary's wages significantly above the DOL level 4 prevailing wage satisfies the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_02_B5203; source_row=15948
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

academic record

academic record/degree

What the decision said

AAO noted the absence of documentary evidence but did not reach a definitive finding on this criterion, as three other criteria were found met.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO noted the absence of documentary evidence but did not reach a definitive finding on this criterion, as three other criteria were found met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_02_B5203; source_row=15945
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination – degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the beneficiary's twenty-plus years of experience, high salary, and recognition by international watchmakers as one of fewer than ten people authorized to service the most complicated models of watches valued up to $500,000 demonstrates a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered.

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 beneficiary's twenty-plus years of experience, high salary, and recognition by international watchmakers as one of fewer than ten people authorized to service the most complicated models of watches valued up to $500,000 demonstrates a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-27_02_B5203; source_row=15951
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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