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 23921–23930

NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life SciencesBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

What the decision said

The AAO did not separately resolve the first prong, focusing its analysis on the third prong (substantially greater benefit than a U.S. worker).

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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The AAO did not separately resolve the first prong, focusing its analysis on the third prong (substantially greater benefit than a U.S. worker).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-28_01_B5203; source_row=13554
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

Reviewing all evidence in aggregate, the petitioner's accomplishments—certifications, service award, academic honor society membership, state government employment letters, and local salary—do not rise to the level of sustained national or international acclaim or place her among the very top of her field.

Why this is useful

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

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Reviewing all evidence in aggregate, the petitioner's accomplishments—certifications, service award, academic honor society membership, state government employment letters, and local salary—do not rise to the level of sustained national or international acclaim or place her among the very top of her field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-23_02_B2203; source_row=13549
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Microsoft certifications are professional certifications earned by completing training courses, not nationally/internationally recognized prizes or awards. The employer's service certificate reflects institutional recognition for length of service, not excellence in the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The Microsoft certifications are professional certifications earned by completing training courses, not nationally/internationally recognized prizes or awards. The employer's service certificate reflects institutional recognition for length of service, not excellence in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-23_02_B2203; source_row=13545
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

The post-filing salary increase was disregarded. The petitioner's 2009 salary of $85,848 was lower than the experienced Computer Systems Analyst wage of $90,192 in her area. Even under the most favorable job classification comparison, relying on local Springfield MSA data does not demonstrate a high salary in relation to others nationally in the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The post-filing salary increase was disregarded. The petitioner's 2009 salary of $85,848 was lower than the experienced Computer Systems Analyst wage of $90,192 in her area. Even under the most favorable job classification comparison, relying on local Springfield MSA data does not demonstrate a high salary in relation to others nationally in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-23_02_B2203; source_row=13548
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the director's finding that this criterion was met. There is no documentary evidence (such as favorable attention in professional media) showing the Illinois agency has a distinguished reputation, and the regulation requires a leading or critical role for multiple organizations or establishments (plural).

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO withdrew the director's finding that this criterion was met. There is no documentary evidence (such as favorable attention in professional media) showing the Illinois agency has a distinguished reputation, and the regulation requires a leading or critical role for multiple organizations or establishments (plural).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-23_02_B2203; source_row=13547
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

Three articles did not mention the petitioner; the rest only briefly mentioned him as part of coverage about his troupe or events. The photograph lacked required title, date, and author. Circulation evidence for the newspapers relied on uncertified translations of self-promotional materials, and the publications were not shown to be major media with significant distribution.

Why this is useful

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

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Three articles did not mention the petitioner; the rest only briefly mentioned him as part of coverage about his troupe or events. The photograph lacked required title, date, and author. Circulation evidence for the newspapers relied on uncertified translations of self-promotional materials, and the publications were not shown to be major media with significant distribution.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-23_01_B2203; source_row=13539
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

Awards were either presented to the troupe rather than the petitioner individually, lacked certified translations, had date inconsistencies, were from age-restricted competitions with unclear pool sizes, or lacked evidence of national/international recognition beyond the events themselves. Post-filing awards were excluded.

Why this is useful

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

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Awards were either presented to the troupe rather than the petitioner individually, lacked certified translations, had date inconsistencies, were from age-restricted competitions with unclear pool sizes, or lacked evidence of national/international recognition beyond the events themselves. Post-filing awards were excluded.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-23_01_B2203; source_row=13537
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 regulation requires documented box office receipts or sales figures, and the petitioner submitted no such evidence. Mere documentation of performances does not meet the criterion's plain language requirements.

Why this is useful

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

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The regulation requires documented box office receipts or sales figures, and the petitioner submitted no such evidence. Mere documentation of performances does not meet the criterion's plain language requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-23_01_B2203; source_row=13543
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The China Acrobatics Association articles did not define 'extraordinary records in acrobatics' or indicate achievements are judged by recognized national or international experts. The supplemental membership requirements document lacked a certified translation, and the petitioner's grade level was not shown to require outstanding achievement. Additionally, the regulation requires membership in multiple associations (plural).

Why this is useful

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

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The China Acrobatics Association articles did not define 'extraordinary records in acrobatics' or indicate achievements are judged by recognized national or international experts. The supplemental membership requirements document lacked a certified translation, and the petitioner's grade level was not shown to require outstanding achievement. Additionally, the regulation requires membership in multiple associations (plural).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-23_01_B2203; source_row=13538
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The totality of evidence fell short of demonstrating sustained national or international acclaim. Awards lacked documentation of significance, media coverage was local and dated, expert letters were conclusory without independent corroboration, and the petitioner showed no continued top-level recognition after 2006-2007.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The totality of evidence fell short of demonstrating sustained national or international acclaim. Awards lacked documentation of significance, media coverage was local and dated, expert letters were conclusory without independent corroboration, and the petitioner showed no continued top-level recognition after 2006-2007.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-23_01_B2203; source_row=13544
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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