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 23521–23530

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 record lacks the actual award; the verification letter does not qualify as primary evidence, secondary evidence, or a proper affidavit. The translation certification does not identify the documents it pertains to. Additionally, the regulation requires awards in the plural and only one award was presented.

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The record lacks the actual award; the verification letter does not qualify as primary evidence, secondary evidence, or a proper affidavit. The translation certification does not identify the documents it pertains to. Additionally, the regulation requires awards in the plural and only one award was presented.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-27_01_B2203; source_row=14015
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 other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

Being the highest paid within a single modeling agency is insufficient; the comparison must be to others in the field at large. Median regional wage statistics do not allow comparison to the top of the field. The accountant's letter listed gross income but provided no salary data for other top models as a basis for comparison.

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Being the highest paid within a single modeling agency is insufficient; the comparison must be to others in the field at large. Median regional wage statistics do not allow comparison to the top of the field. The accountant's letter listed gross income but provided no salary data for other top models as a basis for comparison.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-27_01_B2203; source_row=14019
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering2,006 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that articles citing the petitioner's work are primarily about the authors' own research or recent trends, not 'about the alien.' The evidence did not demonstrate that any published material was about the petitioner relating to his work in the field.

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The AAO found that articles citing the petitioner's work are primarily about the authors' own research or recent trends, not 'about the alien.' The evidence did not demonstrate that any published material was about the petitioner relating to his work in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-26_02_B2203; source_row=14009
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering2,006 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the reference letters relied on conclusory assertions, speculative future benefits, and mere repetition of statutory language, without demonstrating that the petitioner's work actually constituted original contributions of major significance. Low citation counts and at least one article questioning the petitioner's methods further undermined the claim.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that the reference letters relied on conclusory assertions, speculative future benefits, and mere repetition of statutory language, without demonstrating that the petitioner's work actually constituted original contributions of major significance. Low citation counts and at least one article questioning the petitioner's methods further undermined the claim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-26_02_B2203; source_row=14011
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering2,006 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner provided inconsistent documents about his employment history across multiple companies, failed to show a leading or critical role at any of the organizations, and did not demonstrate that the organizations themselves had distinguished reputations. A post-filing promotion and speculative letters could not establish eligibility as of the filing date.

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The petitioner provided inconsistent documents about his employment history across multiple companies, failed to show a leading or critical role at any of the organizations, and did not demonstrate that the organizations themselves had distinguished reputations. A post-filing promotion and speculative letters could not establish eligibility as of the filing date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-26_02_B2203; source_row=14013
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering2,006 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner provided copies of eight articles published between 2004 and 2007 in professional publications, supported by a curriculum vitae, reference letters, and SCOPUS printouts confirming his authorship. The AAO found these constituted 'professional' publications satisfying the criterion.

Why this is useful

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The petitioner provided copies of eight articles published between 2004 and 2007 in professional publications, supported by a curriculum vitae, reference letters, and SCOPUS printouts confirming his authorship. The AAO found these constituted 'professional' publications satisfying the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-26_02_B2203; source_row=14012
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering2,006 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

The AAO explicitly declined to conduct a final merits determination because the petitioner failed to satisfy the antecedent step-1 requirement of presenting three types of evidence.

Why this is useful

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The AAO explicitly declined to conduct a final merits determination because the petitioner failed to satisfy the antecedent step-1 requirement of presenting three types of evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-26_02_B2203; source_row=14014
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering2,006 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

On appeal, the petitioner submitted an invitation letter to serve as a reviewer for a comprehensive separation science publication and online printouts showing he reviewed and recommended two articles for publication. The AAO found this satisfied the criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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On appeal, the petitioner submitted an invitation letter to serve as a reviewer for a comprehensive separation science publication and online printouts showing he reviewed and recommended two articles for publication. The AAO found this satisfied the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-26_02_B2203; source_row=14010
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering2,006 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards for excellence

What the decision said

The petitioner did not challenge the director's adverse finding on this criterion on appeal, so the AAO concluded the issue was abandoned.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner did not challenge the director's adverse finding on this criterion on appeal, so the AAO concluded the issue was abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-26_02_B2203; source_row=14008
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 significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner offered an employment agreement showing a $100,000 salary but no payroll/tax records of actual earnings, and his comparison to only two other festival directors was an inadequate sample size.

Why this is useful

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Petitioner offered an employment agreement showing a $100,000 salary but no payroll/tax records of actual earnings, and his comparison to only two other festival directors was an inadequate sample size.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-22_02_B2203; source_row=14003
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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