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 23991–24000

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

Net income was below the $75,000 proffered wage in 2002, 2003, and 2005; net current assets were also below the proffered wage in 2005. The unaudited 2005 financial statement was rejected as non-compliant with the regulation's audited-statement requirement and contained an unexplained major discrepancy with the tax return.…

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Net income was below the $75,000 proffered wage in 2002, 2003, and 2005; net current assets were also below the proffered wage in 2005. The unaudited 2005 financial statement was rejected as non-compliant with the regulation's audited-statement requirement and contained an unexplained major discrepancy with the tax return. Bank statements are not enumerated as acceptable evidence and cannot demonstrate a sustainable ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-13_01_B5203; source_row=13475
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary's prior employment experience as stated on labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary provided contradictory dates of employment across multiple sworn forms and letters from a prior employer were also internally inconsistent. The petitioner did not submit independent objective evidence resolving these discrepancies.

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The beneficiary provided contradictory dates of employment across multiple sworn forms and letters from a prior employer were also internally inconsistent. The petitioner did not submit independent objective evidence resolving these discrepancies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-13_01_B5203; source_row=13476
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

Original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letters praised the petitioner's skills but failed to show original contributions of major significance—they provided only general statements without indicating how her work impacted the field. Being a prima ballerina or having unique skills does not itself demonstrate original contributions of major significance. Letters speculating about future contributions cannot establish present eligibility.

Why this is useful

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

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The recommendation letters praised the petitioner's skills but failed to show original contributions of major significance—they provided only general statements without indicating how her work impacted the field. Being a prima ballerina or having unique skills does not itself demonstrate original contributions of major significance. Letters speculating about future contributions cannot establish present eligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-08_01_B2203; source_row=13470
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 professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed on multiple grounds: most articles were about shows rather than about the petitioner, captions and advertisements don't qualify as published material about the petitioner, partial translations don't comply with the full translation requirement, many items lacked required title/date/author, television appearances are not 'published material,' and internet postings were not shown to be major media.…

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The petitioner failed on multiple grounds: most articles were about shows rather than about the petitioner, captions and advertisements don't qualify as published material about the petitioner, partial translations don't comply with the full translation requirement, many items lacked required title/date/author, television appearances are not 'published material,' and internet postings were not shown to be major media. Items filed after the petition date cannot be considered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-08_01_B2203; source_row=13468
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 AAO disagreed with the director's reasoning and found the petitioner did demonstrate a leading or critical role. However, the petitioner failed on a different ground: she did not submit documentary evidence establishing that the ballet companies for which she performed have a distinguished reputation, as required by the plain language of the regulation.

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The AAO disagreed with the director's reasoning and found the petitioner did demonstrate a leading or critical role. However, the petitioner failed on a different ground: she did not submit documentary evidence establishing that the ballet companies for which she performed have a distinguished reputation, as required by the plain language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-08_01_B2203; source_row=13472
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

Judge of the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

Serving as an instructor or coach does not equate to participation as a judge of the work of others. The phrase 'a judge' implies a formal designation in a judging capacity. Evidence regarding coached dancers' competition acceptances was filed after the petition date and cannot be considered. Performing as a guest dancer also does not entail judging.

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

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Serving as an instructor or coach does not equate to participation as a judge of the work of others. The phrase 'a judge' implies a formal designation in a judging capacity. Evidence regarding coached dancers' competition acceptances was filed after the petition date and cannot be considered. Performing as a guest dancer also does not entail judging.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-08_01_B2203; source_row=13469
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—a single award 13 years before filing, no articles published about the petitioner relating to her work, judging experience limited to coaching students, recommendation letters without evidence of major contributions, and roles with companies of unproven distinguished reputation—does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

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The totality of evidence—a single award 13 years before filing, no articles published about the petitioner relating to her work, judging experience limited to coaching students, recommendation letters without evidence of major contributions, and roles with companies of unproven distinguished reputation—does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-08_01_B2203; source_row=13474
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

High salary or significantly high remuneration

What the decision said

Counsel did not contest the director's findings for this criterion or offer additional arguments on appeal; the AAO considered the issue abandoned.

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Counsel did not contest the director's findings for this criterion or offer additional arguments on appeal; the AAO considered the issue abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-08_01_B2203; source_row=13473
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner met only one criterion rather than the required three, rendering a full final merits determination unnecessary, but the AAO performed one in the alternative. The totality of evidence, including minimal citations, speculative letters, and a below-top salary, did not establish sustained national or international acclaim.

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

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The petitioner met only one criterion rather than the required three, rendering a full final merits determination unnecessary, but the AAO performed one in the alternative. The totality of evidence, including minimal citations, speculative letters, and a below-top salary, did not establish sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-07_02_B2203; source_row=13465
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO conducted de novo review because the director's decision was cut off and unclear. The petitioner submitted only a self-compiled list and reproduced emails, not primary evidence of actually completing reviews. The plain language requires evidence of actual participation as a judge, and mere requests to review are insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO conducted de novo review because the director's decision was cut off and unclear. The petitioner submitted only a self-compiled list and reproduced emails, not primary evidence of actually completing reviews. The plain language requires evidence of actual participation as a judge, and mere requests to review are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-12-07_02_B2203; source_row=13460
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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