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 5031–5040

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 adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis. The record did not sufficiently show how the Petitioner's services would extend beyond prospective clients to impact the industry or U.S. economy broadly, and lacked sufficient evidence of projected U.S. economic impact or job creation to reach the level of national importance contemplated by Dhanasar.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis. The record did not sufficiently show how the Petitioner's services would extend beyond prospective clients to impact the industry or U.S. economy broadly, and lacked sufficient evidence of projected U.S. economic impact or job creation to reach the level of national importance contemplated by Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_07_B5203; source_row=37235
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The M-B-I- letter lacked probative value due to font inconsistencies and did not explain how the Petitioner's contributions had major significance beyond his own institution. The letter failed to articulate how the Petitioner's achievements influenced or affected the overall field in a majorly significant manner.

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

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The M-B-I- letter lacked probative value due to font inconsistencies and did not explain how the Petitioner's contributions had major significance beyond his own institution. The letter failed to articulate how the Petitioner's achievements influenced or affected the overall field in a majorly significant manner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_01_B2203; source_row=37211
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters from the SARSK president were not credible due to inconsistent fonts and contradictions with the official by-laws. The actual by-laws showed membership criteria based on certification, years of experience, and number of surgeries performed—not outstanding achievements. The Petitioner also failed to show membership is judged by recognized national or international experts.

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The letters from the SARSK president were not credible due to inconsistent fonts and contradictions with the official by-laws. The actual by-laws showed membership criteria based on certification, years of experience, and number of surgeries performed—not outstanding achievements. The Petitioner also failed to show membership is judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_01_B2203; source_row=37209
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner was only nominated for the 'Best Plastic Surgeon' award, not awarded it; the People's Choice Award screenshots lacked certified English translations and he was merely nominated; the Certificate of Honor for the magazine award lacked evidence of national or international recognition; and the I.K.…

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The Petitioner was only nominated for the 'Best Plastic Surgeon' award, not awarded it; the People's Choice Award screenshots lacked certified English translations and he was merely nominated; the Certificate of Honor for the magazine award lacked evidence of national or international recognition; and the I.K. Akhunbaev certificate was undermined by a letter with inconsistent fonts and no evidence of the award's national or international recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_01_B2203; source_row=37208
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record did not reflect the Petitioner made any eligibility claim for this criterion at initial filing or in either RFE response. Moreover, this criterion applies to performing artists and focuses on box office receipts and record/video sales, not to plastic surgeons, and the record contained no such evidence.

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The record did not reflect the Petitioner made any eligibility claim for this criterion at initial filing or in either RFE response. Moreover, this criterion applies to performing artists and focuses on box office receipts and record/video sales, not to plastic surgeons, and the record contained no such evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_01_B2203; source_row=37213
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner did not provide corroborating evidence such as the thesis itself. The letter lacked basic information about the thesis (title, date, subject, findings). The Petitioner also did not demonstrate the thesis was published in a professional or major trade publication or major medium.

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Petitioner did not provide corroborating evidence such as the thesis itself. The letter lacked basic information about the thesis (title, date, subject, findings). The Petitioner also did not demonstrate the thesis was published in a professional or major trade publication or major medium.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_01_B2203; source_row=37212
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit given industry importance, but found national importance not established. The expert letter lacked credentials relevant to the field and merely summarized existing submissions. The business plan lacked financial and staffing projections needed to show substantial positive economic effects.…

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AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit given industry importance, but found national importance not established. The expert letter lacked credentials relevant to the field and merely summarized existing submissions. The business plan lacked financial and staffing projections needed to show substantial positive economic effects. Industry articles demonstrated the importance of the field generally, not the impact of the Petitioner's specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_10_B5203; source_row=37246
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 found that the Petitioner's claims regarding economic impact, job creation, tax contributions, VITA volunteering, and service to economically distressed areas were largely unsupported assertions without specific detail showing broader implications beyond her immediate clients.…

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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 found that the Petitioner's claims regarding economic impact, job creation, tax contributions, VITA volunteering, and service to economically distressed areas were largely unsupported assertions without specific detail showing broader implications beyond her immediate clients. The expert opinion letter was given little probative weight as it was general in nature and did not meaningfully analyze the proposed endeavor's national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_06_B5203; source_row=37232
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO had previously concluded the Petitioner did not establish she is well positioned to advance her proposed endeavor. On motion, the Petitioner submitted a personal letter and two recommendation letters, but the letters failed to address the proposed endeavor or her positioning to advance it, and the motion did not overcome the prior grounds for dismissal.

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

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AAO had previously concluded the Petitioner did not establish she is well positioned to advance her proposed endeavor. On motion, the Petitioner submitted a personal letter and two recommendation letters, but the letters failed to address the proposed endeavor or her positioning to advance it, and the motion did not overcome the prior grounds for dismissal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_01_B5203; source_row=37218
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 found that the letters and materials discussed the focus of the Petitioner's work but failed to explain how it would likely impact the field of design nationally or have national implications. Claims of economic impact were unsupported with specifics on job creation, tax revenue, or revitalization of struggling areas.…

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 found that the letters and materials discussed the focus of the Petitioner's work but failed to explain how it would likely impact the field of design nationally or have national implications. Claims of economic impact were unsupported with specifics on job creation, tax revenue, or revitalization of struggling areas. The relevant inquiry is the specific proposed endeavor, not the general importance of the area in which the petitioner works.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-25_03_B5203; source_row=37223
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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