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 23261–23270

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

The AAO found that Cirque du Soleil is a circus performing business enterprise, not an association with membership; the selection process does not involve judging by recognized national or international experts; and even if it were qualifying, a single 'membership' does not satisfy the plural requirement.

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The AAO found that Cirque du Soleil is a circus performing business enterprise, not an association with membership; the selection process does not involve judging by recognized national or international experts; and even if it were qualifying, a single 'membership' does not satisfy the plural requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_03_B2203; source_row=14318
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination – sustained national or international acclaim at the top of the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the 2001 French championship placing from over ten years ago is not indicative of sustained acclaim; the petitioner failed to show published material specifically about him in major media; the trampoline system lacks evidence of actual adoption in the field; and being one of ~1,000 Cirque du Soleil performers and one of ~70 KA cast members does not demonstrate individual top-of-field acclaim.

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The AAO found that the 2001 French championship placing from over ten years ago is not indicative of sustained acclaim; the petitioner failed to show published material specifically about him in major media; the trampoline system lacks evidence of actual adoption in the field; and being one of ~1,000 Cirque du Soleil performers and one of ~70 KA cast members does not demonstrate individual top-of-field acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_03_B2203; source_row=14324
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

Participation as a judge of the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found no evidence confirming either event was a field hockey event, and no evidence establishing that a referee's role is the same or substantially similar to that of a judge.

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See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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The AAO found no evidence confirming either event was a field hockey event, and no evidence establishing that a referee's role is the same or substantially similar to that of a judge.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_02_B2203; source_row=14310
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

The AAO found no evidence about the selection process for the teams, the membership requirements for USA Field Hockey's 'basic coach' designation, or the reputation or prestige of any of the teams or organizations.

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The AAO found no evidence about the selection process for the teams, the membership requirements for USA Field Hockey's 'basic coach' designation, or the reputation or prestige of any of the teams or organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_02_B2203; source_row=14308
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 AAO found no evidence of the eligibility, nomination, or selection process for any of the awards, no evidence of the reputation or prestige of the presenting entities, and the certifications were not properly translated as required under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3).

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The AAO found no evidence of the eligibility, nomination, or selection process for any of the awards, no evidence of the reputation or prestige of the presenting entities, and the certifications were not properly translated as required under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_02_B2203; source_row=14307
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 about the alien in professional or major trade publications

Why AAO was not persuaded

The articles were not fully translated per 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3), the extracts were insufficient to establish the articles were about the petitioner, the publication was not shown to be a professional or major trade publication, no authors were provided, and the petitioner failed to show material published in more than one such publication.

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The articles were not fully translated per 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3), the extracts were insufficient to establish the articles were about the petitioner, the publication was not shown to be a professional or major trade publication, no authors were provided, and the petitioner failed to show material published in more than one such publication.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_02_B2203; source_row=14309
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

Leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found no evidence that being named best player in some games constituted a leading or critical role, no evidence of the Armenian national team's distinguished reputation, no evidence of the petitioner's role in the school's hierarchy or the school's reputation, and the Hockey Sports Club evidence postdated the 2001 filing date and lacked evidence of distinguished reputation.

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The AAO found no evidence that being named best player in some games constituted a leading or critical role, no evidence of the Armenian national team's distinguished reputation, no evidence of the petitioner's role in the school's hierarchy or the school's reputation, and the Hockey Sports Club evidence postdated the 2001 filing date and lacked evidence of distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_02_B2203; source_row=14311
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AMI diploma showed only vocational training, not a baccalaureate-equivalent degree. Form G-325A is not a substitute for employer letters showing progressive post-baccalaureate experience. No official academic record of any degree was submitted.

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The AMI diploma showed only vocational training, not a baccalaureate-equivalent degree. Form G-325A is not a substitute for employer letters showing progressive post-baccalaureate experience. No official academic record of any degree was submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_02_B5203; source_row=14313
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest served substantially greater than U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

Counsel did not address the third NYSDOT prong concerning the individual alien's contributions. A prior labor certification is not a criterion for the national interest waiver and does not show that approving the petition without a current labor certification would be in the national interest.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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Counsel did not address the third NYSDOT prong concerning the individual alien's contributions. A prior labor certification is not a criterion for the national interest waiver and does not show that approving the petition without a current labor certification would be in the national interest.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_02_B5203; source_row=14316
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters are largely conclusory. Even if the petitioner played a significant role in setting up a department, the criterion requires a leading or critical role for the organization itself, not just a department within it. Moreover, the criterion requires such a role in more than one qualifying organization, and only D.A.V. College was asserted.

Why this is useful

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The letters are largely conclusory. Even if the petitioner played a significant role in setting up a department, the criterion requires a leading or critical role for the organization itself, not just a department within it. Moreover, the criterion requires such a role in more than one qualifying organization, and only D.A.V. College was asserted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-01_01_B2203; source_row=14302
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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