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 23851–23860

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

Considering all evidence in aggregate, the petitioner failed to show sustained national or international acclaim or that she is among the small percentage at the very top of her field. Her single unrecognized award, employment-level membership, local/regional publications, vague letters failing to identify contributions, and reliance on employer's commercial success do not elevate her above other circus performers.

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Considering all evidence in aggregate, the petitioner failed to show sustained national or international acclaim or that she is among the small percentage at the very top of her field. Her single unrecognized award, employment-level membership, local/regional publications, vague letters failing to identify contributions, and reliance on employer's commercial success do not elevate her above other circus performers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_03_B2203; source_row=13631
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed to provide evidence of her own commercial successes through box office receipts or sales. Her contribution to an employer's commercial success is not the same as her own commercial success, and there was no evidence directly attributing the employer's success to her.

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The petitioner failed to provide evidence of her own commercial successes through box office receipts or sales. Her contribution to an employer's commercial success is not the same as her own commercial success, and there was no evidence directly attributing the employer's success to her.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_03_B2203; source_row=13630
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner established receipt of only one qualifying nationally recognized award. The regulation requires 'prizes' and 'awards' in the plural, so one award is insufficient. The second claimed award lacked evidence of personal receipt. The third award lacked evidence of national or international recognition.

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The petitioner established receipt of only one qualifying nationally recognized award. The regulation requires 'prizes' and 'awards' in the plural, so one award is insufficient. The second claimed award lacked evidence of personal receipt. The third award lacked evidence of national or international recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_02_B2203; source_row=13620
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

Considered in the aggregate, the petitioner's evidence — one qualifying award, project-level awards, one uncited article not aimed at software engineers, critical role at one organization, and above-average regional salary compared to a broader peer group — does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

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Considered in the aggregate, the petitioner's evidence — one qualifying award, project-level awards, one uncited article not aimed at software engineers, critical role at one organization, and above-average regional salary compared to a broader peer group — does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_02_B2203; source_row=13624
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the director's finding. The salary survey was geographically limited, used an average (mean) rather than identifying high earners, and compared the petitioner's salary to general software engineers rather than senior software engineers, providing no appropriate basis for establishing a high salary relative to others in the field.

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AAO withdrew the director's finding. The salary survey was geographically limited, used an average (mean) rather than identifying high earners, and compared the petitioner's salary to general software engineers rather than senior software engineers, providing no appropriate basis for establishing a high salary relative to others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_02_B2203; source_row=13623
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the director erred by requiring citation evidence beyond the regulation's scope and withdrew that specific finding, but upheld the denial because the regulation requires 'scholarly articles' in the plural and the petitioner submitted only one article.

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AAO agreed the director erred by requiring citation evidence beyond the regulation's scope and withdrew that specific finding, but upheld the denial because the regulation requires 'scholarly articles' in the plural and the petitioner submitted only one article.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_02_B2203; source_row=13621
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

clear evidence of intent to continue work in area of expertise in the United States

What the decision said

Counsel did not contest the director's finding on appeal, so the AAO considered the issue abandoned under Sepulveda and Hristov.

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Counsel did not contest the director's finding on appeal, so the AAO considered the issue abandoned under Sepulveda and Hristov.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_01_B2203; source_row=13619
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 very top of the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

Across all four criteria, evidence was deficient, stale, or based on recommendation letters rather than independent documentary proof. The petitioner's career was well below the very top of his field compared to internationally recognized soccer players.

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Across all four criteria, evidence was deficient, stale, or based on recommendation letters rather than independent documentary proof. The petitioner's career was well below the very top of his field compared to internationally recognized soccer players.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_01_B2203; source_row=13618
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO had previously acknowledged the intrinsic merit of the petitioner's area of expertise in Korean international relations, and that finding was not in dispute on motion.

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The AAO had previously acknowledged the intrinsic merit of the petitioner's area of expertise in Korean international relations, and that finding was not in dispute on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_04_B5203; source_row=13632
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than U.S. worker

Why the evidence was persuasive

On motion, the petitioner submitted more specific witness letters from credentialed experts, including a former NSC director of Korea affairs, and documentation of major media outlets seeking out the petitioner's commentary. The AAO found these materials established that the petitioner is a uniquely positioned and influential expert on North Korea policy, remedying the prior deficiencies in corroboration and specificity.

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On motion, the petitioner submitted more specific witness letters from credentialed experts, including a former NSC director of Korea affairs, and documentation of major media outlets seeking out the petitioner's commentary. The AAO found these materials established that the petitioner is a uniquely positioned and influential expert on North Korea policy, remedying the prior deficiencies in corroboration and specificity.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-10_04_B5203; source_row=13634
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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