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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 2981–2990
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance in the field
Why AAO was not persuaded
While the Petitioner's work gained broad exposure through a software application splash screen and marketing campaigns, and letters showed other artists respect his style, the evidence did not demonstrate that his work widely impacted or influenced other artists or the broader field of digital art at the level 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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While the Petitioner's work gained broad exposure through a software application splash screen and marketing campaigns, and letters showed other artists respect his style, the evidence did not demonstrate that his work widely impacted or influenced other artists or the broader field of digital art at the level of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_01_B2203; source_row=40527 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found that lodging manager positions require only a high school diploma as the typical entry-level education per the petitioner's own evidence, meaning the occupation does not qualify as a 'profession' requiring a baccalaureate degree as the minimum entry requirement.
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AAO found that lodging manager positions require only a high school diploma as the typical entry-level education per the petitioner's own evidence, meaning the occupation does not qualify as a 'profession' requiring a baccalaureate degree as the minimum entry requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_02_B5203; source_row=40535 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 with the Director that the Petitioner made an impermissible material change to the proposed endeavor. After adjudicating under the original fact pattern, AAO found insufficient evidence to show the initial endeavor—working as a lodging manager while exploring business opportunities—has substantial merit or national importance.
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 with the Director that the Petitioner made an impermissible material change to the proposed endeavor. After adjudicating under the original fact pattern, AAO found insufficient evidence to show the initial endeavor—working as a lodging manager while exploring business opportunities—has substantial merit or national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_02_B5203; source_row=40536 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Environment / Energy
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial merit and national importance
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. The nearly 500 pages of industry reports showed the importance of renewable energy generally, but not the specific prospective impact of the Petitioner's endeavor. The business plan's financial and staffing projections (80 jobs, $2.7M in tax revenue) lacked sufficient evidentiary basis and were not corroborated by independent evidence.
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 agreed that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. The nearly 500 pages of industry reports showed the importance of renewable energy generally, but not the specific prospective impact of the Petitioner's endeavor. The business plan's financial and staffing projections (80 jobs, $2.7M in tax revenue) lacked sufficient evidentiary basis and were not corroborated by independent evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_03_B5203; source_row=40539 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's conclusion, finding that the Petitioner's reliance on STEM-field status was misplaced because merely working within a STEM profession does not establish national importance — the evidence must show the endeavor actually advances STEM technologies and research with broad implications, which was not demonstrated here.
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Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's conclusion, finding that the Petitioner's reliance on STEM-field status was misplaced because merely working within a STEM profession does not establish national importance — the evidence must show the endeavor actually advances STEM technologies and research with broad implications, which was not demonstrated here.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_04_B5203; source_row=40542 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Counsel's unsubstantiated assertions are not evidence; the AAO had previously analyzed the evidence in context, and the Petitioner did not show legal or policy error in the final merits determination. The AAO cannot credit unrealized future accomplishments.
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Counsel's unsubstantiated assertions are not evidence; the AAO had previously analyzed the evidence in context, and the Petitioner did not show legal or policy error in the final merits determination. The AAO cannot credit unrealized future accomplishments.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_02_B2203; source_row=40534 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO held that dissemination of work is not itself proof of major significance; employer letters described importance to the business but not impact beyond it; and the Petitioner's request to 'assume' impact on major clients lacked contemporaneous probative evidence.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The AAO held that dissemination of work is not itself proof of major significance; employer letters described importance to the business but not impact beyond it; and the Petitioner's request to 'assume' impact on major clients lacked contemporaneous probative evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-05_02_B2203; source_row=40530 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the foreign language employer letter was absent (only an English translation was submitted), making the evidence unreliable; and the comparison salary data from Russia's Federal State Statistics Service covered 'information and communication activities' broadly, not specifically the Petitioner's field of software and game development.
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AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the foreign language employer letter was absent (only an English translation was submitted), making the evidence unreliable; and the comparison salary data from Russia's Federal State Statistics Service covered 'information and communication activities' broadly, not specifically the Petitioner's field of software and game development.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_06_B5203; source_row=40517 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the record did not show that either association requires a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent for membership, and thus neither was demonstrated to be a 'professional association' under the regulatory definition.
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AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the record did not show that either association requires a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent for membership, and thus neither was demonstrated to be a 'professional association' under the regulatory definition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_06_B5203; source_row=40518 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c