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 22961–22970

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

five years of progressive experience per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary holds a foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, but the single experience letter from her prior employer failed to specifically describe her job duties in a manner sufficient to establish that they were progressive in nature, as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1).

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The beneficiary holds a foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, but the single experience letter from her prior employer failed to specifically describe her job duties in a manner sufficient to establish that they were progressive in nature, as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-18_01_B5203; source_row=14677
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

summary dismissal for failure to specifically identify error

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the appeal met the standard for summary dismissal under 8 C.F.R. § 103.3(a)(1)(v) because the petitioner identified no specific error in the Director's decision and submitted no supporting brief or evidence.

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AAO found the appeal met the standard for summary dismissal under 8 C.F.R. § 103.3(a)(1)(v) because the petitioner identified no specific error in the Director's decision and submitted no supporting brief or evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-18_05_B5203; source_row=14688
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the director's finding because although the beneficiary did perform a leading or critical role for the petitioner (which has a distinguished reputation), the regulation requires evidence of such roles for more than one organization or establishment with a distinguished reputation, and the petitioner failed to make that showing.

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The AAO withdrew the director's finding because although the beneficiary did perform a leading or critical role for the petitioner (which has a distinguished reputation), the regulation requires evidence of such roles for more than one organization or establishment with a distinguished reputation, and the petitioner failed to make that showing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-15_01_B2203; source_row=14642
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed the criterion was not met, finding that: the submitted salary data did not provide total remuneration information; DOL prevailing wage data alone does not establish 'significantly' higher pay; and the comparison to Emergency Management Specialists was inappropriate because their duties differed materially from the beneficiary's duties directing international provider relations for a medical assistance company.

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The AAO agreed the criterion was not met, finding that: the submitted salary data did not provide total remuneration information; DOL prevailing wage data alone does not establish 'significantly' higher pay; and the comparison to Emergency Management Specialists was inappropriate because their duties differed materially from the beneficiary's duties directing international provider relations for a medical assistance company.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-15_01_B2203; source_row=14643
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the director's finding because although the beneficiary's contribution to the MEDEX 360m product qualifies as an original business-related contribution of major significance, the regulation's plural 'contributions' requires more than one, and the petitioner failed to demonstrate multiple qualifying contributions.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO withdrew the director's finding because although the beneficiary's contribution to the MEDEX 360m product qualifies as an original business-related contribution of major significance, the regulation's plural 'contributions' requires more than one, and the petitioner failed to demonstrate multiple qualifying contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-15_01_B2203; source_row=14641
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 in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Grammy nomination lacked primary evidence, and even if proven, counsel did not show how a nomination impacted the field. The chart evidence showed Juanes' original version hit #1 before the remix contract was even signed. Recommendation letters praised the petitioner generally but did not specifically identify contributions of major significance to the broader field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Grammy nomination lacked primary evidence, and even if proven, counsel did not show how a nomination impacted the field. The chart evidence showed Juanes' original version hit #1 before the remix contract was even signed. Recommendation letters praised the petitioner generally but did not specifically identify contributions of major significance to the broader field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-15_04_B2203; source_row=14663
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

Display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

A disc jockey performing before an audience is performing, not displaying work in the sense of a painter or sculptor at a gallery. This criterion is limited to the visual arts, which has been upheld by federal courts. Accepting DJ performances would render this criterion meaningless.

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A disc jockey performing before an audience is performing, not displaying work in the sense of a painter or sculptor at a gallery. This criterion is limited to the visual arts, which has been upheld by federal courts. Accepting DJ performances would render this criterion meaningless.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-15_04_B2203; source_row=14664
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 major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The d-mode article merely listed the petitioner among 16 DJs in a survey without discussion of his work, lacked title and author, and had incomplete translation. The residentadvisor.net material was an interview recording answers rather than published material about the petitioner, and no independent objective evidence was submitted to show it qualifies as major media.

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The d-mode article merely listed the petitioner among 16 DJs in a survey without discussion of his work, lacked title and author, and had incomplete translation. The residentadvisor.net material was an interview recording answers rather than published material about the petitioner, and no independent objective evidence was submitted to show it qualifies as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-15_04_B2203; source_row=14662
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-Time Achievement (Major Internationally Recognized Award)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Latin Grammy nomination was supported only by an untranslated self-asserting email, not primary evidence, and even a proven Grammy nomination is not the same as winning. A collaboration/remix contract does not constitute an award. Neither rises to the level of a major, internationally recognized award as required by the regulation.

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The Latin Grammy nomination was supported only by an untranslated self-asserting email, not primary evidence, and even a proven Grammy nomination is not the same as winning. A collaboration/remix contract does not constitute an award. Neither rises to the level of a major, internationally recognized award as required by the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-15_04_B2203; source_row=14661
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 shown by box office receipts or record/CD/video sales

Why AAO was not persuaded

The regulation requires evidence of commercial success in the specific form of box office receipts or sales. The petitioner submitted no documentary evidence of box office receipts or actual disk sales, only performance venue evidence and chart listings, which is insufficient.

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The regulation requires evidence of commercial success in the specific form of box office receipts or sales. The petitioner submitted no documentary evidence of box office receipts or actual disk sales, only performance venue evidence and chart listings, which is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-15_04_B2203; source_row=14667
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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