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.
leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation
Why AAO was not persuaded
The petitioner relied entirely on recommendation letters that praised her skills but did not establish she performed in a leading or critical role. Furthermore, the letters discussed individual film producers and directors rather than organizations or establishments, and no evidence of distinguished production companies was provided.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The petitioner relied entirely on recommendation letters that praised her skills but did not establish she performed in a leading or critical role. Furthermore, the letters discussed individual film producers and directors rather than organizations or establishments, and no evidence of distinguished production companies was provided.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-11-14_03_B2203; source_row=13364 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 AAO withdrew the director's finding because the director found the criterion met without any discussion of the evidence. Upon review, the petitioner failed to include required dates and/or authors for any of the submitted items, most articles were not primarily about the petitioner, and the petitioner failed to establish that publications were professional or major trade publications or major media.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The AAO withdrew the director's finding because the director found the criterion met without any discussion of the evidence. Upon review, the petitioner failed to include required dates and/or authors for any of the submitted items, most articles were not primarily about the petitioner, and the petitioner failed to establish that publications were professional or major trade publications or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-11-14_03_B2203; source_row=13362 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Petitioner's net income exceeded the proffered wage only in 2006 and 2008; in 2007 there was a substantial net loss of $81,544, insufficient to cover the gap between proffered wage and wages paid.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Petitioner's net income exceeded the proffered wage only in 2006 and 2008; in 2007 there was a substantial net loss of $81,544, insufficient to cover the gap between proffered wage and wages paid.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-11-14_03_B5203; source_row=13368 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
totality of circumstances under Matter of Sonegawa
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO rejected Sonegawa-style totality argument because gross receipts declined 25% from 2006 to 2010, the owner's personal assets cannot be considered for a corporation, and the 2008 articles-of-incorporation amendment purporting to obligate the owner to contribute capital postdated 2007 and had no probative value for that year.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO rejected Sonegawa-style totality argument because gross receipts declined 25% from 2006 to 2010, the owner's personal assets cannot be considered for a corporation, and the 2008 articles-of-incorporation amendment purporting to obligate the owner to contribute capital postdated 2007 and had no probative value for that year.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-11-14_03_B5203; source_row=13370 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Beneficiary's W-2 wages exceeded the $34,091 proffered wage only in 2010 (and projected 2011); for 2007-2009 the wages paid were below the proffered wage.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Beneficiary's W-2 wages exceeded the $34,091 proffered wage only in 2010 (and projected 2011); for 2007-2009 the wages paid were below the proffered wage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-11-14_03_B5203; source_row=13367 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Beneficiary possesses foreign equivalent of U.S. master's degree in electrical engineering
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed with the Director's EDGE-based analysis, finding that private credential evaluations did not override EDGE's established methodology. The Maitrise equates to a U.S. bachelor's and the DESS to one year of graduate study, which together fall short of a master's degree. AAO also noted that the labor certification required a master's degree specifically, not a bachelor's plus experience.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director's EDGE-based analysis, finding that private credential evaluations did not override EDGE's established methodology. The Maitrise equates to a U.S. bachelor's and the DESS to one year of graduate study, which together fall short of a master's degree. AAO also noted that the labor certification required a master's degree specifically, not a bachelor's plus experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-11-14_04_B5203; source_row=13371 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
petitioner's continuing intent to employ beneficiary
Why AAO was not persuaded
The beneficiary completed the offered residency, subsequently entered a fellowship at another institution, obtained board certification, and is sponsored for H-1B employment by another employer. The petitioner expressly confirmed it no longer intends to employ the beneficiary, extinguishing the required continuing intent.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The beneficiary completed the offered residency, subsequently entered a fellowship at another institution, obtained board certification, and is sponsored for H-1B employment by another employer. The petitioner expressly confirmed it no longer intends to employ the beneficiary, extinguishing the required continuing intent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-11-14_01_B5203; source_row=13359 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The beneficiary's MBBS degree from a recognized Indian university, confirmed by both an expert evaluation and AACRAO EDGE, is equivalent to a U.S. MD, satisfying the advanced degree requirement.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The beneficiary's MBBS degree from a recognized Indian university, confirmed by both an expert evaluation and AACRAO EDGE, is equivalent to a U.S. MD, satisfying the advanced degree requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-11-14_01_B5203; source_row=13357 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
A medical residency is a time-limited graduate medical education program, not an indefinite employment relationship. The offered 'Senior Medical Resident' position is inherently limited to a finite two-year period, and permanent employment requires that the position continue indefinitely. A temporary position cannot be the basis for an employment-based immigrant visa.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
A medical residency is a time-limited graduate medical education program, not an indefinite employment relationship. The offered 'Senior Medical Resident' position is inherently limited to a finite two-year period, and permanent employment requires that the position continue indefinitely. A temporary position cannot be the basis for an employment-based immigrant visa.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2011-11-14_01_B5203; source_row=13358 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c