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 24912500

EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner in professional or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the record lacked evidence demonstrating the significance of the circulation statistics or that publication on the internet platforms reflected status as major media. The Petitioner failed to address the Director's concerns about circulation data.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed with the Director that the record lacked evidence demonstrating the significance of the circulation statistics or that publication on the internet platforms reflected status as major media. The Petitioner failed to address the Director's concerns about circulation data.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-11_01_B2203; source_row=41318
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

AAO found the record lacked evidence corroborating new claims (founding an original dance style, opening an institution) raised only on appeal, and that recommendation letters and articles did not identify specific original contributions of major significance. The critical question was not whether the Petitioner contributed, but whether contributions were original and of major significance.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the record lacked evidence corroborating new claims (founding an original dance style, opening an institution) raised only on appeal, and that recommendation letters and articles did not identify specific original contributions of major significance. The critical question was not whether the Petitioner contributed, but whether contributions were original and of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-11_01_B2203; source_row=41320
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate membership in the Chinese Dancers Association, that key translation documents lacked required certification under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3), and that the translated membership criteria did not indicate outstanding achievement as a condition of membership. A key inconsistency was also noted between Petitioner's characterization of Article 33 and the actual translated content.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate membership in the Chinese Dancers Association, that key translation documents lacked required certification under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3), and that the translated membership criteria did not indicate outstanding achievement as a condition of membership. A key inconsistency was also noted between Petitioner's characterization of Article 33 and the actual translated content.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-11_01_B2203; source_row=41317
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the submitted documents—certificates of honor for participation in group dances at competitions and published materials about a 2018 performance including photographs and cast list—offered sufficient evidence that the Petitioner displayed her work at an artistic exhibition or showcase.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the submitted documents—certificates of honor for participation in group dances at competitions and published materials about a 2018 performance including photographs and cast list—offered sufficient evidence that the Petitioner displayed her work at an artistic exhibition or showcase.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-11_01_B2203; source_row=41321
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue because even if criterion (i) were met, the Petitioner could not reach three satisfied criteria total given failures on four other claimed criteria.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved this issue because even if criterion (i) were met, the Petitioner could not reach three satisfied criteria total given failures on four other claimed criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-11_01_B2203; source_row=41316
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 other significantly high remuneration

What the decision said

Although the Petitioner previously claimed this criterion, AAO noted she did not pursue it on appeal, treating it as waived.

Why this is useful

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Although the Petitioner previously claimed this criterion, AAO noted she did not pursue it on appeal, treating it as waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-11_01_B2203; source_row=41323
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the endeavor had substantial merit but found insufficient evidence of national importance. Reference letters lacked detail and objectivity, the documentary evidence about obesity and nutrition policy did not discuss the Petitioner's specific research, and her publications had been infrequently cited.

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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AAO agreed the endeavor had substantial merit but found insufficient evidence of national importance. Reference letters lacked detail and objectivity, the documentary evidence about obesity and nutrition policy did not discuss the Petitioner's specific research, and her publications had been infrequently cited.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_03_B5203; source_row=41305
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the Petitioner's business projections lacked sufficient supporting detail and did not explain how the staffing targets and revenue forecasts would be realized. The record failed to show that the endeavor's impact would extend beyond the Petitioner's individual clients to demonstrate broader national importance, as required by Dhanasar.

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 found the Petitioner's business projections lacked sufficient supporting detail and did not explain how the staffing targets and revenue forecasts would be realized. The record failed to show that the endeavor's impact would extend beyond the Petitioner's individual clients to demonstrate broader national importance, as required by Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_05_B5203; source_row=41311
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,023 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

Most submitted articles lacked identified authors as required by the regulation, translations were not properly certified, articles mentioning the Petitioner in passing were not 'about' her, and the one article about her did not show publication in a major media outlet.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Most submitted articles lacked identified authors as required by the regulation, translations were not properly certified, articles mentioning the Petitioner in passing were not 'about' her, and the one article about her did not show publication in a major media outlet.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B2203; source_row=41291
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,023 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted letters and articles do not show that the Petitioner's specific awards garnered sufficient recognition beyond the context of the events where they were presented, and the Petitioner has not demonstrated their national or international significance in the field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The submitted letters and articles do not show that the Petitioner's specific awards garnered sufficient recognition beyond the context of the events where they were presented, and the Petitioner has not demonstrated their national or international significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B2203; source_row=41289
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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