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 23131–23140
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mathematics / Statistics
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
waiver claim through math teaching employment
What the decision said
Because the appeal exclusively focused on pharmacy and did not mention the math teaching claim, the AAO deemed that claim abandoned/waived on appeal.
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
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Because the appeal exclusively focused on pharmacy and did not mention the math teaching claim, the AAO deemed that claim abandoned/waived on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-17_03_B5203; source_row=14481 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The AAO found that pharmacy customarily requires a doctorate and that the petitioner did not hold a Pharm.D. at the time of filing. His M.Ed. was not in pharmacy or a closely related field, and eligibility must be established at the time of filing.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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The AAO found that pharmacy customarily requires a doctorate and that the petitioner did not hold a Pharm.D. at the time of filing. His M.Ed. was not in pharmacy or a closely related field, and eligibility must be established at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-17_03_B5203; source_row=14477 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mathematics / Statistics
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
national in scope
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO held that the national scope of a field or industry does not necessarily mean the work of one individual within it has national scope, citing NYSDOT.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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The AAO held that the national scope of a field or industry does not necessarily mean the work of one individual within it has national scope, citing NYSDOT.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-17_03_B5203; source_row=14479 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Job requires advanced degree or exceptional ability equivalent
Why AAO was not persuaded
The job offer on the ETA Form 9089 requires only a bachelor's degree and four years of experience, not an advanced degree or its equivalent. The petitioner cannot retroactively change the classification sought to cure the deficiency, as USCIS cannot ignore the terms of the labor certification nor can material changes be made to conform a deficient petition.
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Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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The job offer on the ETA Form 9089 requires only a bachelor's degree and four years of experience, not an advanced degree or its equivalent. The petitioner cannot retroactively change the classification sought to cure the deficiency, as USCIS cannot ignore the terms of the labor certification nor can material changes be made to conform a deficient petition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-17_05_B5203; source_row=14486 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
leading or critical role for organizations of distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO reversed the director, holding that first-place finishes already credited under criterion (i) cannot be repurposed to show a leading role under (viii), and that the plural 'organizations' requires more than one.
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AAO reversed the director, holding that first-place finishes already credited under criterion (i) cannot be repurposed to show a leading role under (viii), and that the plural 'organizations' requires more than one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-16_01_B2203; source_row=14465 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Why AAO was not persuaded
While AAO disagreed with the director's narrow view that the IOC was the only relevant association, AAO agreed the criterion was not satisfied because the petitioner only documented one qualifying membership (Chinese delegation at the 2008 Olympics) and did not show that the National Games or CAA memberships required outstanding achievements as judged by experts. The plural 'associations' requires more than one.
Why this is useful
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While AAO disagreed with the director's narrow view that the IOC was the only relevant association, AAO agreed the criterion was not satisfied because the petitioner only documented one qualifying membership (Chinese delegation at the 2008 Olympics) and did not show that the National Games or CAA memberships required outstanding achievements as judged by experts. The plural 'associations' requires more than one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-16_01_B2203; source_row=14462 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
coming to U.S. to continue work in area of extraordinary ability
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO concurred with the director that petitioner's plans to pursue a doctoral degree, with only vague intentions of finding a coach and competing, did not show he was coming to the U.S. to work as an athlete.
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AAO concurred with the director that petitioner's plans to pursue a doctoral degree, with only vague intentions of finding a coach and competing, did not show he was coming to the U.S. to work as an athlete.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-16_01_B2203; source_row=14468 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO disagreed with the director, finding that contributions of major significance need not be international, and that holding the Chinese national 800m record, being first to compete for China in the Olympic 800m, and winning consecutive Gold medals at the National Games qualified.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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AAO disagreed with the director, finding that contributions of major significance need not be international, and that holding the Chinese national 800m record, being first to compete for China in the Olympic 800m, and winning consecutive Gold medals at the National Games qualified.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-16_01_B2203; source_row=14464 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c