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 22841–22850

EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why AAO was not persuaded

Many documents lacked certified translations. Primary evidence was only provided for royalty checks; letters regarding other earnings lacked specifics. Even setting aside evidentiary deficiencies, the petitioner failed to submit comparative evidence showing her remuneration is significantly high in relation to others in the field; the wage data submitted reflected only regional median wages, not remuneration comparison for…

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Many documents lacked certified translations. Primary evidence was only provided for royalty checks; letters regarding other earnings lacked specifics. Even setting aside evidentiary deficiencies, the petitioner failed to submit comparative evidence showing her remuneration is significantly high in relation to others in the field; the wage data submitted reflected only regional median wages, not remuneration comparison for singers generally.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-06_01_B2203; source_row=14817
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed to submit primary or proper secondary evidence of receipt of the Golden Mara de Venezuela; supporting letters were neither primary evidence nor proper affidavits. For the other two awards, uncertified translations could not be credited, and the petitioner failed to show the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence beyond the awarding entities.…

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The petitioner failed to submit primary or proper secondary evidence of receipt of the Golden Mara de Venezuela; supporting letters were neither primary evidence nor proper affidavits. For the other two awards, uncertified translations could not be credited, and the petitioner failed to show the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence beyond the awarding entities. Award titles alone do not establish national or international recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-06_01_B2203; source_row=14809
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

The AAO withdrew the director's finding because all submitted evidence consisted of foreign language documents without certified translations, uncertified translations lacked required author/title/date information, and the petitioner failed to establish that publications were major media. Translator assertions of 'major' media status in uncertified translations were not credible.

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The AAO withdrew the director's finding because all submitted evidence consisted of foreign language documents without certified translations, uncertified translations lacked required author/title/date information, and the petitioner failed to establish that publications were major media. Translator assertions of 'major' media status in uncertified translations were not credible.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-06_01_B2203; source_row=14811
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 in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The two original articles had uncertified and incomplete translations and could not be considered. The two appeal articles lacked evidence that the publications qualify as major media. Editor letters submitted in January 2009 lacked the original foreign-language documents. Two copies of each letter were submitted with one having the signature whited out.

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The two original articles had uncertified and incomplete translations and could not be considered. The two appeal articles lacked evidence that the publications qualify as major media. Editor letters submitted in January 2009 lacked the original foreign-language documents. Two copies of each letter were submitted with one having the signature whited out.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-05_02_B2203; source_row=14781
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The cassette and CD covers lacked English translations and could not be considered. The Music Nepal letter contained an inconsistency with the appeal-stage newspaper article about the album's origin, which the petitioner did not resolve with independent objective evidence. Further, the letter does not constitute primary evidence of album sales and does not meet the requirements of an affidavit.

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The cassette and CD covers lacked English translations and could not be considered. The Music Nepal letter contained an inconsistency with the appeal-stage newspaper article about the album's origin, which the petitioner did not resolve with independent objective evidence. Further, the letter does not constitute primary evidence of album sales and does not meet the requirements of an affidavit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-05_02_B2203; source_row=14785
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed to submit evidence from the presenting institutions or alternative evidence that the field nationally or internationally recognizes her awards. Going on record without supporting documentary evidence is insufficient to meet the burden of proof, and the petitioner has not established that the evidence does not exist or cannot be obtained.

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The petitioner failed to submit evidence from the presenting institutions or alternative evidence that the field nationally or internationally recognizes her awards. Going on record without supporting documentary evidence is insufficient to meet the burden of proof, and the petitioner has not established that the evidence does not exist or cannot be obtained.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-05_02_B2203; source_row=14779
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Enlight Fellowship is an academic scholarship, not an award in the petitioner's field of endeavor. The VCA Silver award lacked evidence of national or international recognition beyond the contest itself. The Spirit Award lacked primary evidence and was not shown to be nationally or internationally recognized.

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The Enlight Fellowship is an academic scholarship, not an award in the petitioner's field of endeavor. The VCA Silver award lacked evidence of national or international recognition beyond the contest itself. The Spirit Award lacked primary evidence and was not shown to be nationally or internationally recognized.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-05_03_B2203; source_row=14792
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the director's finding. ASMP 'General' membership requirements (portfolio review, sponsorship by two members, years of publication experience, income threshold, dues) do not constitute outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Additionally, the regulation requires membership in associations (plural), and the petitioner showed only one.

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AAO withdrew the director's finding. ASMP 'General' membership requirements (portfolio review, sponsorship by two members, years of publication experience, income threshold, dues) do not constitute outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Additionally, the regulation requires membership in associations (plural), and the petitioner showed only one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-05_03_B2203; source_row=14793
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree from accredited U.S. institution

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that regional accreditation by a DoEd- and CHEA-recognized body is implicitly required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2), because only such accreditation assures nationwide recognition of a degree. Shepherd University is not listed by the WASC's Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, the applicable regional accreditor for California.…

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AAO agreed that regional accreditation by a DoEd- and CHEA-recognized body is implicitly required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2), because only such accreditation assures nationwide recognition of a degree. Shepherd University is not listed by the WASC's Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, the applicable regional accreditor for California. State-level BPPVE approval merely certifies capacity to meet minimum operating standards and does not provide nationwide recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-05_04_B5203; source_row=14800
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree from accredited institution

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that accreditation by a DoEd- and CHEA-recognized regional accrediting agency is implicitly required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) because the regulation's repeated use of 'United States' degrees contemplates nationwide recognition. California's BPPVE approval only certifies minimum operating standards and does not guarantee nationwide degree recognition.…

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AAO held that accreditation by a DoEd- and CHEA-recognized regional accrediting agency is implicitly required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) because the regulation's repeated use of 'United States' degrees contemplates nationwide recognition. California's BPPVE approval only certifies minimum operating standards and does not guarantee nationwide degree recognition. Shepherd University is not listed as accredited or a candidate for accreditation by WASC, the applicable regional accreditor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-05_06_B5203; source_row=14802
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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