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 23941–23950

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 plain language requires documentation of 'the alien's receipt' of awards. The beneficiary was not listed as a recipient on the Academy Award; awards given to films or to other named individuals do not suffice as the beneficiary's individual receipt of the award.

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The plain language requires documentation of 'the alien's receipt' of awards. The beneficiary was not listed as a recipient on the Academy Award; awards given to films or to other named individuals do not suffice as the beneficiary's individual receipt of the award.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=13522
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed to show the thesis was published in a professional or major trade publication or other major media. Additionally, the regulation requires more than one scholarly article, and only one was submitted.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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The petitioner failed to show the thesis was published in a professional or major trade publication or other major media. Additionally, the regulation requires more than one scholarly article, and only one was submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=13526
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

Neither the initial letters nor the VES letter confirmed the beneficiary's membership in any association, nor did any letter demonstrate that the associations require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts.

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Neither the initial letters nor the VES letter confirmed the beneficiary's membership in any association, nor did any letter demonstrate that the associations require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=13523
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the director's finding because: (1) the offer letter is not primary evidence of actual wages; (2) the wage comparisons used median statistics for 'multi-media artists and animators' rather than cinematic look development supervisors; and (3) the beneficiary's salary barely at the 90th percentile of a broader occupational category does not establish that he commands a high salary in relation to others in his…

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The AAO withdrew the director's finding because: (1) the offer letter is not primary evidence of actual wages; (2) the wage comparisons used median statistics for 'multi-media artists and animators' rather than cinematic look development supervisors; and (3) the beneficiary's salary barely at the 90th percentile of a broader occupational category does not establish that he commands a high salary in relation to others in his specific field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=13529
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters failed to demonstrate a leading or critical role within the organizational hierarchy. The beneficiary's credit as 'Texture Paint Lead' on a large production with many other credited employees did not distinguish his role as leading or critical, especially when Academy Award recipients held more substantial visual effects roles.

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The letters failed to demonstrate a leading or critical role within the organizational hierarchy. The beneficiary's credit as 'Texture Paint Lead' on a large production with many other credited employees did not distinguish his role as leading or critical, especially when Academy Award recipients held more substantial visual effects roles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=13528
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed national scope was established through evidence about IODP's mission as an international cooperative venture among about 25 nations.

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AAO agreed national scope was established through evidence about IODP's mission as an international cooperative venture among about 25 nations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_01_B5203; source_row=13533
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the director that the petitioner's field of work has substantial intrinsic merit, supported by background materials about the IODP.

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AAO agreed with the director that the petitioner's field of work has substantial intrinsic merit, supported by background materials about the IODP.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_01_B5203; source_row=13532
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serves national interest to substantially greater degree than available U.S. worker

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the witness letters provided clear and detailed explanations of the petitioner's individual contributions—not just the overall importance of IODP—and that his unique combination of geological knowledge, software/database development, instrumentation expertise, and training abilities made him integral to the program in ways beyond what a competent U.S. worker could replicate.

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AAO found the witness letters provided clear and detailed explanations of the petitioner's individual contributions—not just the overall importance of IODP—and that his unique combination of geological knowledge, software/database development, instrumentation expertise, and training abilities made him integral to the program in ways beyond what a competent U.S. worker could replicate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_01_B5203; source_row=13534
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

artistic display

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence reflecting that the beneficiary meets the plain language of criterion (vii) and withdrew the director's findings.

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The AAO found the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence reflecting that the beneficiary meets the plain language of criterion (vii) and withdrew the director's findings.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=13527
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

statement of reasons and showing of legal/policy error

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner did not address the summary dismissal and instead argued the merits of the underlying petition, submitting new documents that were not shown to have been timely submitted on appeal.

Why this is useful

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The petitioner did not address the summary dismissal and instead argued the merits of the underlying petition, submitting new documents that were not shown to have been timely submitted on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-21_02_B5203; source_row=13536
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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