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 29712980

NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reopen — New Facts and Evidence

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner only resubmitted evidence already in the record and did not offer new evidence or claim new facts, failing to meet the requirements of a motion to reopen under 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2).

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The Petitioner only resubmitted evidence already in the record and did not offer new evidence or claim new facts, failing to meet the requirements of a motion to reopen under 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-06_02_B5203; source_row=40560
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reconsider — Incorrect Application of Law or Policy

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO rejected the full faith and credit argument because 28 U.S.C. § 1738 applies to courts, not federal administrative agencies. AAO also rejected the claim that it failed to analyze the RFE response evidence, because that evidence was late-filed and not part of the record at the time of the initial decision. The Petitioner cited no legal authority excusing late filing.

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AAO rejected the full faith and credit argument because 28 U.S.C. § 1738 applies to courts, not federal administrative agencies. AAO also rejected the claim that it failed to analyze the RFE response evidence, because that evidence was late-filed and not part of the record at the time of the initial decision. The Petitioner cited no legal authority excusing late filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-06_02_B5203; source_row=40561
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

nationally or internationally recognized awards or prizes

What the decision said

AAO disagreed that coaching and training are entirely different fields given the record, and found that the Director's conclusion prevented a full analysis of the evidence. The matter is remanded for re-evaluation.

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AAO disagreed that coaching and training are entirely different fields given the record, and found that the Director's conclusion prevented a full analysis of the evidence. The matter is remanded for re-evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-06_01_B2203; source_row=40545
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

AAO disagreed that athletic coaching and athletic training are different areas of expertise for purposes of this criterion, and remanded for re-examination of the evidence.

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AAO disagreed that athletic coaching and athletic training are different areas of expertise for purposes of this criterion, and remanded for re-examination of the evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-06_01_B2203; source_row=40546
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for a distinguished organization

What the decision said

AAO agreed with the Petitioner that the Director did not provide sufficient analysis of the evidence or explanation for concluding the criterion was not met, and remanded for re-evaluation.

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AAO agreed with the Petitioner that the Director did not provide sufficient analysis of the evidence or explanation for concluding the criterion was not met, and remanded for re-evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-06_01_B2203; source_row=40550
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

What the decision said

AAO agreed with the Director that the employment contract alone was insufficient to prove past earnings and that the income statement had deficiencies (no identified income source, inconsistency with contract amount). However, AAO disagreed with the Director's erroneous conclusion that the Petitioner's earnings as a coach were in a different field and could not be relied upon.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the employment contract alone was insufficient to prove past earnings and that the income statement had deficiencies (no identified income source, inconsistency with contract amount). However, AAO disagreed with the Director's erroneous conclusion that the Petitioner's earnings as a coach were in a different field and could not be relied upon.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-06_01_B2203; source_row=40551
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

judging the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the letters did not establish that the Petitioner personally performed judging activities. One letter described the board of coaches' functions without establishing the Petitioner was on that board; the other described general selection processes without expressly stating the Petitioner participated as a judge.

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 letters did not establish that the Petitioner personally performed judging activities. One letter described the board of coaches' functions without establishing the Petitioner was on that board; the other described general selection processes without expressly stating the Petitioner participated as a judge.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-06_01_B2203; source_row=40548
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not establish that he received a prize or award as an honoree (as opposed to a nominee), and even if he had, the evidence did not show that the [REDACTED] awards are nationally or internationally recognized in the field of digital art. The New York Times article described the awards as 'self-proclaimed' and focused on their 'quirky' nature, not their prestige.

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The Petitioner did not establish that he received a prize or award as an honoree (as opposed to a nominee), and even if he had, the evidence did not show that the [REDACTED] awards are nationally or internationally recognized in the field of digital art. The New York Times article described the awards as 'self-proclaimed' and focused on their 'quirky' nature, not their prestige.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_01_B2203; source_row=40524
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

While AAO agreed that past roles may be considered (disagreeing with the Director's partial reliance on the transition statement), the CEO letter did not establish that the Petitioner led a specific department or that his role was critical to the company's operations, and the evidence was insufficient to show the employer had a distinguished reputation.

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While AAO agreed that past roles may be considered (disagreeing with the Director's partial reliance on the transition statement), the CEO letter did not establish that the Petitioner led a specific department or that his role was critical to the company's operations, and the evidence was insufficient to show the employer had a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_01_B2203; source_row=40528
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

AAO reviewed the entire record and found it did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner had risen to the very top of the field, though this determination was technically not required given the failure to meet the initial evidence threshold.

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AAO reviewed the entire record and found it did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner had risen to the very top of the field, though this determination was technically not required given the failure to meet the initial evidence threshold.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_01_B2203; source_row=40529
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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