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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 23001–23010
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
AAO found that while the petitioner showed evidence of original compositions, he did not show they constituted contributions of major significance. One composition was for a breastfeeding awareness campaign rather than for musical merit; evidence of performance was limited and unsubstantiated; reference letters were conclusory; and 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 +
AAO found that while the petitioner showed evidence of original compositions, he did not show they constituted contributions of major significance. One composition was for a breastfeeding awareness campaign rather than for musical merit; evidence of performance was limited and unsubstantiated; reference letters were conclusory; and the regulation requires contributions in the plural.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_02_B2203; source_row=14608 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Licensing agreements are not an appropriate measure under this criterion; only sales volume (box office receipts, record/CD sales) qualifies. Airplay chart evidence does not demonstrate commercial success through sales volume. The petitioner failed to provide evidence of record or compact disc sales.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Licensing agreements are not an appropriate measure under this criterion; only sales volume (box office receipts, record/CD sales) qualifies. Airplay chart evidence does not demonstrate commercial success through sales volume. The petitioner failed to provide evidence of record or compact disc sales.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_01_B2203; source_row=14604 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
The Billboard article was not about the petitioner by name but about the band and lacked a publication date. Magazine coverage did not establish qualifying circulation. Internet posting alone does not make a publication 'major media.' The BBC letter lacked corroboration. Cross Rhythms did not establish circulation qualifying it as major media.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The Billboard article was not about the petitioner by name but about the band and lacked a publication date. Magazine coverage did not establish qualifying circulation. Internet posting alone does not make a publication 'major media.' The BBC letter lacked corroboration. Cross Rhythms did not establish circulation qualifying it as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_01_B2203; source_row=14600 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why AAO was not persuaded
The single ISC award lacked independent evidence of national or international recognition, and the plain language requires 'awards' in the plural. Self-promotional material from the ISC website and a partial press release were insufficient.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The single ISC award lacked independent evidence of national or international recognition, and the plain language requires 'awards' in the plural. Self-promotional material from the ISC website and a partial press release were insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_01_B2203; source_row=14599 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
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO found the director erred because the petitioner failed to submit circulation or distribution data demonstrating the publications qualify as major media with significant national or international distribution.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The AAO found the director erred because the petitioner failed to submit circulation or distribution data demonstrating the publications qualify as major media with significant national or international distribution.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_03_B2203; source_row=14615 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for distinguished organizations
Why AAO was not persuaded
While the record showed the beneficiary performed in a leading or critical role for the petitioner, the petitioner failed to demonstrate a 'distinguished reputation.' Furthermore, the plain language of the criterion requires performance in a leading or critical role for more than one organization or establishment (plural).
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
While the record showed the beneficiary performed in a leading or critical role for the petitioner, the petitioner failed to demonstrate a 'distinguished reputation.' Furthermore, the plain language of the criterion requires performance in a leading or critical role for more than one organization or establishment (plural).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_03_B2203; source_row=14619 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The unpublished biography cannot be considered because eligibility must be established at the time of filing. Additionally, counsel did not explain how the biography would constitute a 'scholarly' article relating to charity fundraising.
Why this is useful
See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.
View full reasoning +
The unpublished biography cannot be considered because eligibility must be established at the time of filing. Additionally, counsel did not explain how the biography would constitute a 'scholarly' article relating to charity fundraising.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_03_B2203; source_row=14618 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The AAO declined to consider rock and roll memorabilia experience as unrelated to the beneficiary's claimed extraordinary ability as Executive Director for a drunk driving charity, and counsel offered no explanation for why these achievements constitute comparable evidence of judging other charity executives.
Why this is useful
See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.
View full reasoning +
The AAO declined to consider rock and roll memorabilia experience as unrelated to the beneficiary's claimed extraordinary ability as Executive Director for a drunk driving charity, and counsel offered no explanation for why these achievements constitute comparable evidence of judging other charity executives.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_03_B2203; source_row=14616 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO disagreed with the director and found that evidence showing the petitioner's compositions were performed at events constitutes display at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO disagreed with the director and found that evidence showing the petitioner's compositions were performed at events constitutes display at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_02_B2203; source_row=14610 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found that although AGI exceeded the proffered wage in some years, the household expense statements were inconsistent and understated (e.g., medical, property tax, and state tax figures on the household expense statement differed from Schedule A figures), 2010 income documentation was absent, the petitioner did not account for simultaneously pending petitions requiring ability to pay multiple beneficiaries, and future i…
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found that although AGI exceeded the proffered wage in some years, the household expense statements were inconsistent and understated (e.g., medical, property tax, and state tax figures on the household expense statement differed from Schedule A figures), 2010 income documentation was absent, the petitioner did not account for simultaneously pending petitions requiring ability to pay multiple beneficiaries, and future income projections were legally insufficient to establish ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-06-13_04_B5203; source_row=14624 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c