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 23501–23510

NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concurred with the director that the petitioner works in an area of intrinsic merit, electrophysiology.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO concurred with the director that the petitioner works in an area of intrinsic merit, electrophysiology.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-29_06_B5203; source_row=14042
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concurred with the director that the proposed benefits of improved treatment for neurological diseases would be national in scope.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO concurred with the director that the proposed benefits of improved treatment for neurological diseases would be national in scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-29_06_B5203; source_row=14043
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than available U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the petitioner's evidence insufficient to demonstrate the requisite track record of influence on the field. The petitioner's single published article was a theoretical piece with only one citation; the supervisor letter primarily contained bare assertions without independent corroboration; the research proposal addressed only prospective work; and unique laboratory skills alone do not meet the national interest th…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the petitioner's evidence insufficient to demonstrate the requisite track record of influence on the field. The petitioner's single published article was a theoretical piece with only one citation; the supervisor letter primarily contained bare assertions without independent corroboration; the research proposal addressed only prospective work; and unique laboratory skills alone do not meet the national interest threshold.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-29_06_B5203; source_row=14044
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 major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The only qualifying major media outlet was the Washington Post, but that article was primarily about the competition rather than the petitioner. The remaining publications were regional rather than national, and website submissions lacked evidence of national or international reach. The plural requirement of the criterion was not satisfied by a single qualifying publication.

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Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The only qualifying major media outlet was the Washington Post, but that article was primarily about the competition rather than the petitioner. The remaining publications were regional rather than national, and website submissions lacked evidence of national or international reach. The plural requirement of the criterion was not satisfied by a single qualifying publication.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_02_B2203; source_row=14029
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

Criterion (vii) is limited to the visual arts per longstanding interpretation upheld by federal court. As the petitioner is a pianist (performing artist) and not a visual artist with tangible works on display, he cannot satisfy this criterion.

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Criterion (vii) is limited to the visual arts per longstanding interpretation upheld by federal court. As the petitioner is a pianist (performing artist) and not a visual artist with tangible works on display, he cannot satisfy this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_02_B2203; source_row=14032
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The post-petition award was ineligible. Of the remaining awards, only the 1998 first prize was shown to be nationally recognized. Three others lacked sufficient evidence of national/international recognition beyond uncorroborated expert letters and self-promotional materials. As only one prize met the national/international recognition element, the plural requirement of the criterion was not satisfied.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The post-petition award was ineligible. Of the remaining awards, only the 1998 first prize was shown to be nationally recognized. Three others lacked sufficient evidence of national/international recognition beyond uncorroborated expert letters and self-promotional materials. As only one prize met the national/international recognition element, the plural requirement of the criterion was not satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_02_B2203; source_row=14027
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

Contracts with sports schools and competing for national teams do not constitute membership in associations. Selection was based on competitive fencing ability, not coaching. Academic degrees do not equate to outstanding achievements or association membership.

Why this is useful

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Contracts with sports schools and competing for national teams do not constitute membership in associations. Selection was based on competitive fencing ability, not coaching. Academic degrees do not equate to outstanding achievements or association membership.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_01_B2203; source_row=14022
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AComparable evidenceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

Comparable evidence

comparable evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(4)

Why AAO was not persuaded

Comparable evidence is only available where the ten criteria do not readily apply to the beneficiary's occupation, and counsel did not explain why criteria such as published material, judging, and high salary are not applicable to coaching. Letters of support are not comparable to extensive documentary evidence of achievements.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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Comparable evidence is only available where the ten criteria do not readily apply to the beneficiary's occupation, and counsel did not explain why criteria such as published material, judging, and high salary are not applicable to coaching. Letters of support are not comparable to extensive documentary evidence of achievements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_01_B2203; source_row=14025
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 beneficiary's competition awards were earned as a fencer, not as a coach (the field of endeavor). Awards received by his students do not equate to his receipt of those prizes under the plain language of the regulation.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The beneficiary's competition awards were earned as a fencer, not as a coach (the field of endeavor). Awards received by his students do not equate to his receipt of those prizes under the plain language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_01_B2203; source_row=14021
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Job requires a professional holding an advanced degree

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that by accepting a 3-year bachelor plus 2-year master combination (or similar equivalent), the labor certification does not require an advanced degree or its statutory equivalent, defeating EB-2 classification.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO agreed that by accepting a 3-year bachelor plus 2-year master combination (or similar equivalent), the labor certification does not require an advanced degree or its statutory equivalent, defeating EB-2 classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_08_B5203; source_row=14038
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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