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 23511–23520

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary's W-2 wages were below the proffered wage every year from 2001–2007, generating a cumulative deficiency of $466,000. The sole proprietor's AGI was also insufficient in most years to cover household expenses plus the wage gap. Investment accounts did not clearly provide liquifiable funds sufficient to bridge the deficiency, and the petitioner's household expense figures were inconsistent and understated.…

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 W-2 wages were below the proffered wage every year from 2001–2007, generating a cumulative deficiency of $466,000. The sole proprietor's AGI was also insufficient in most years to cover household expenses plus the wage gap. Investment accounts did not clearly provide liquifiable funds sufficient to bridge the deficiency, and the petitioner's household expense figures were inconsistent and understated. The totality of circumstances, including multiple pending petitions, did not parallel the Sonegawa situation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_07_B5203; source_row=14037
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed to provide any comparative evidence of what others in his field earn, which is required by 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 petitioner failed to provide any comparative evidence of what others in his field earn, which is required by the plain language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_02_B2203; source_row=14034
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

Because the petitioner made only a passing reference without substantive argument and failed to identify an incorrect application of law or fact, the AAO considered the issue abandoned.

Why this is useful

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

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Because the petitioner made only a passing reference without substantive argument and failed to identify an incorrect application of law or fact, the AAO considered the issue abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_02_B2203; source_row=14031
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the petitioner submitted evidence meeting the plain language requirements of this criterion and departed from the director's determination.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the petitioner submitted evidence meeting the plain language requirements of this criterion and departed from the director's determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_02_B2203; source_row=14030
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 evidence does not show how the beneficiary's role differentiated him from other coaches or that he was responsible for the organization's success. Further, the regulation's plural 'organizations' requires more than one distinguished organization.

Why this is useful

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

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The evidence does not show how the beneficiary's role differentiated him from other coaches or that he was responsible for the organization's success. Further, the regulation's plural 'organizations' requires more than one distinguished organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_01_B2203; source_row=14024
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

intent to continue work in area of expertise

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the beneficiary intends to work as a coach (not as a competitive fencer), and competing and coaching are different areas of expertise, the petitioner must demonstrate extraordinary ability as a coach. The 'recent acclaim' nexus exception does not apply because the beneficiary stopped competing in 2004.

Why this is useful

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

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Because the beneficiary intends to work as a coach (not as a competitive fencer), and competing and coaching are different areas of expertise, the petitioner must demonstrate extraordinary ability as a coach. The 'recent acclaim' nexus exception does not apply because the beneficiary stopped competing in 2004.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_01_B2203; source_row=14026
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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

The AAO concluded that the letters detailing the beneficiary's coaching of champion fencers, supported by documentary evidence of their awards and rankings, were sufficient to demonstrate original contributions of major significance as a coach.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO concluded that the letters detailing the beneficiary's coaching of champion fencers, supported by documentary evidence of their awards and rankings, were sufficient to demonstrate original contributions of major significance as a coach.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-28_01_B2203; source_row=14023
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 or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The expert letters indicate the petitioner played a critical role in advertising campaigns, not for organizations or establishments as required by the criterion. Many letters contained nearly identical or indistinguishable language reducing their evidentiary weight. The only letters with original content still failed to show a leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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

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The expert letters indicate the petitioner played a critical role in advertising campaigns, not for organizations or establishments as required by the criterion. Many letters contained nearly identical or indistinguishable language reducing their evidentiary weight. The only letters with original content still failed to show a leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-27_01_B2203; source_row=14018
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 or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted evidence lacks titles, dates, and authors as required by the regulation. The materials are not the type of titled, authored published works contemplated by the criterion, and the translation certifications are deficient. Furthermore, the articles are about the Look of the Year contest, not about the petitioner specifically.

Why this is useful

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

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The submitted evidence lacks titles, dates, and authors as required by the regulation. The materials are not the type of titled, authored published works contemplated by the criterion, and the translation certifications are deficient. Furthermore, the articles are about the Look of the Year contest, not about the petitioner specifically.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-27_01_B2203; source_row=14016
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found no improper application of regulations by the director. Published material and leading or critical roles are covered under separate criteria. Counsel failed to explain why appearing in advertising campaigns constitutes an original contribution of major significance.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found no improper application of regulations by the director. Published material and leading or critical roles are covered under separate criteria. Counsel failed to explain why appearing in advertising campaigns constitutes an original contribution of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-27_01_B2203; source_row=14017
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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