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 5371–5380

EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

High salary or other significantly high remuneration for services

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO declined to accept the salary comparison evidence submitted for the first time on appeal, as the Petitioner was on notice of the requirement, had a reasonable opportunity to submit it earlier, and it was reasonably available. AAO also noted that even if accepted, the evidence would not establish the criterion.

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AAO declined to accept the salary comparison evidence submitted for the first time on appeal, as the Petitioner was on notice of the requirement, had a reasonable opportunity to submit it earlier, and it was reasonably available. AAO also noted that even if accepted, the evidence would not establish the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_01_B2203; source_row=36717
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

Leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis that the Petitioner's work tended to be temporary in nature, his positioning within organizations was unexplained, and the record failed to establish that many of his prior employers had a distinguished reputation.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis that the Petitioner's work tended to be temporary in nature, his positioning within organizations was unexplained, and the record failed to establish that many of his prior employers had a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_01_B2203; source_row=36716
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed the Director's conclusion that the record does not establish a qualifying one-time major internationally recognized award.

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AAO affirmed the Director's conclusion that the record does not establish a qualifying one-time major internationally recognized award.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_01_B2203; source_row=36708
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prize or award for excellence

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis, noting the record did not establish specific details about the award including selection criteria, competing candidates, basis for the award, and that no documentary evidence of the award was offered.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis, noting the record did not establish specific details about the award including selection criteria, competing candidates, basis for the award, and that no documentary evidence of the award was offered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_01_B2203; source_row=36709
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 agreed that the Petitioner's proposed work as a pharmacist did not rise to national importance. His statements were general and conclusory, failing to explain how his methodologies would extend beyond his individual employers and customers. The importance of the pharmacy field generally, and the alleged pharmacist shortage, did not establish the national importance of this Petitioner's specific endeavor.

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 that the Petitioner's proposed work as a pharmacist did not rise to national importance. His statements were general and conclusory, failing to explain how his methodologies would extend beyond his individual employers and customers. The importance of the pharmacy field generally, and the alleged pharmacist shortage, did not establish the national importance of this Petitioner's specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_02_B5203; source_row=36723
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 adopted and affirmed the Director's conclusion that national importance was not established, and the second motion to reconsider presented no new legal arguments or identified errors warranting reconsideration.

Why this is useful

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's conclusion that national importance was not established, and the second motion to reconsider presented no new legal arguments or identified errors warranting reconsideration.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_01_B5203; source_row=36720
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

Commercial successes in the performing arts

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not address criterion (x) on appeal, thereby waiving it.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not address criterion (x) on appeal, thereby waiving it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_01_B2203; source_row=36718
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

Published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis that the publications failed to satisfy criterion (iii) due to lack of source information, focus on authors' own work rather than the Petitioner, and overly generalized content.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis that the publications failed to satisfy criterion (iii) due to lack of source information, focus on authors' own work rather than the Petitioner, and overly generalized content.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_01_B2203; source_row=36711
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

What the decision said

AAO reserved formal final merits review under Bagamasbad because the step-1 threshold was not met, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not establish the required acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved formal final merits review under Bagamasbad because the step-1 threshold was not met, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not establish the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_01_B2203; source_row=36719
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not address criterion (ii) on appeal, thereby waiving it.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not address criterion (ii) on appeal, thereby waiving it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-01_01_B2203; source_row=36710
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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