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 401410

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 acknowledged the Petitioner's talent and originality but found the record did not establish the materiality of her contributions to music, entertainment, and performing arts more broadly, nor show they were of major significance in the field.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO acknowledged the Petitioner's talent and originality but found the record did not establish the materiality of her contributions to music, entertainment, and performing arts more broadly, nor show they were of major significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=44671
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 achievement

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner had not sufficiently documented the significance or prestige of her membership in the association to support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the Petitioner had not sufficiently documented the significance or prestige of her membership in the association to support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=44668
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 distinguished organizations or establishments

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim from her performances with salsa artists, and she had not shown how playing percussion constitutes a leading or critical role for an organization or establishment with a distinguished reputation.

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 record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim from her performances with salsa artists, and she had not shown how playing percussion constitutes a leading or critical role for an organization or establishment with a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=44673
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

AAO found that the awards and recognitions were not shown to carry national or international recognition beyond the presenting organizations, as the Petitioner did not submit evidence of widespread media coverage of the awards.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the awards and recognitions were not shown to carry national or international recognition beyond the presenting organizations, as the Petitioner did not submit evidence of widespread media coverage of the awards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=44667
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner is well-positioned to advance his proposed endeavor based on his advanced degrees, expert support letters praising his skills and knowledge, detailed plan for future activities, strong publication and citation record including articles in the top ten percent of the most cited in his field, and evidence of co-principal investigator funding.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO found the Petitioner is well-positioned to advance his proposed endeavor based on his advanced degrees, expert support letters praising his skills and knowledge, detailed plan for future activities, strong publication and citation record including articles in the top ten percent of the most cited in his field, and evidence of co-principal investigator funding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-12_01_B5203; source_row=44677
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with SCOPS that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance; this prong was not at issue on appeal.

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 SCOPS that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance; this prong was not at issue on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-12_01_B5203; source_row=44676
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both SCOPS and AAO agreed the Petitioner met the judging criterion based on her role as a judge at a cowbell competition during her 2023 live show.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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Both SCOPS and AAO agreed the Petitioner met the judging criterion based on her role as a judge at a cowbell competition during her 2023 live show.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=44670
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the extensive documentation of performances at 24 venues and 3 workshops across Europe and Israel, supported by a contract and promoter letter, satisfied the display criterion.

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 extensive documentation of performances at 24 venues and 3 workshops across Europe and Israel, supported by a contract and promoter letter, satisfied the display criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=44672
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Colombian newspaper article satisfied the criterion because the newspaper's website showed it circulates daily in 12 regions in Colombia, qualifying it as major media.

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 Colombian newspaper article satisfied the criterion because the newspaper's website showed it circulates daily in 12 regions in Colombia, qualifying it as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=44669
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner had not established a foreign-degree equivalent (no transcripts) and had not documented five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience through the required employer letters.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed the Petitioner had not established a foreign-degree equivalent (no transcripts) and had not documented five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience through the required employer letters.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-09_05_B5203; source_row=44650
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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