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 30613070

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO found the final merits determination was not required because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold. The Director's contradictory statement was a harmless typographical error. AAO nonetheless reviewed the aggregate record and found it insufficient for the classification.

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AAO found the final merits determination was not required because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold. The Director's contradictory statement was a harmless typographical error. AAO nonetheless reviewed the aggregate record and found it insufficient for the classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_01_B2203; source_row=40415
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AAO did not independently evaluate this criterion; the Director's decision was withdrawn and the matter remanded for proper re-evaluation.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO did not independently evaluate this criterion; the Director's decision was withdrawn and the matter remanded for proper re-evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_03_B2203; source_row=40423
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's analysis of this criterion was based on evidence from a different record, applying medical/radiology standards to a musician's membership credentials, and remanded for proper evaluation.

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AAO found the Director's analysis of this criterion was based on evidence from a different record, applying medical/radiology standards to a musician's membership credentials, and remanded for proper evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_03_B2203; source_row=40424
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the individual in professional or major media

What the decision said

AAO found the Director analyzed the wrong criterion and summarily dismissed evidence without explanation, and remanded for proper evaluation.

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AAO found the Director analyzed the wrong criterion and summarily dismissed evidence without explanation, and remanded for proper evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_03_B2203; source_row=40425
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

What the decision said

AAO did not independently evaluate this criterion; the matter was remanded for proper re-evaluation.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not independently evaluate this criterion; the matter was remanded for proper re-evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_03_B2203; source_row=40427
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

AAO found the Director entirely failed to address criterion (v) and remanded for proper evaluation.

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 Director entirely failed to address criterion (v) and remanded for proper evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_03_B2203; source_row=40426
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhysician

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's leadership of two local cultural organizations, press coverage limited to one newspaper's City section through 2008, a single judging instance, and recommendation letters do not collectively establish sustained national or international acclaim or place her among the small percentage at the very top of the field. AAO also found a critical gap in acclaim after 2008.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's leadership of two local cultural organizations, press coverage limited to one newspaper's City section through 2008, a single judging instance, and recommendation letters do not collectively establish sustained national or international acclaim or place her among the small percentage at the very top of the field. AAO also found a critical gap in acclaim after 2008.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_03_B2203; source_row=40408
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the first prong was not met, though it corrected the Director on a factual point—the area is economically distressed (not merely non-depressed). Nevertheless, the Petitioner failed to explain how creating only four jobs in a county of more than 18,000 residents would broadly impact the field or have significant positive economic effects.

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 first prong was not met, though it corrected the Director on a factual point—the area is economically distressed (not merely non-depressed). Nevertheless, the Petitioner failed to explain how creating only four jobs in a county of more than 18,000 residents would broadly impact the field or have significant positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_02_B5203; source_row=40402
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 additional evidence reinforces that the award is given for contributions to the Catholic Church, not for excellence in the Petitioner's field of endeavor. The profiles of other winners show awards given for a variety of activities related to the Catholic Church, often for unexplained service.

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The additional evidence reinforces that the award is given for contributions to the Catholic Church, not for excellence in the Petitioner's field of endeavor. The profiles of other winners show awards given for a variety of activities related to the Catholic Church, often for unexplained service.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_01_B2203; source_row=40384
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 about the petitioner in professional or major trade publications or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The East African Standard's publisher letter is self-promotional and insufficient to establish major media status. The Kenya Times went out of publication before the petition was filed. American Ideals' internet availability alone does not demonstrate it is a major medium. None of the publications were established as qualifying media.

Why this is useful

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

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The East African Standard's publisher letter is self-promotional and insufficient to establish major media status. The Kenya Times went out of publication before the petition was filed. American Ideals' internet availability alone does not demonstrate it is a major medium. None of the publications were established as qualifying media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_01_B2203; source_row=40386
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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