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 5691–5700

EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner established the awards recognize excellence in the field but failed to provide sufficient evidence of their national or international recognition, such as media coverage or presentations at national or international conferences.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner established the awards recognize excellence in the field but failed to provide sufficient evidence of their national or international recognition, such as media coverage or presentations at national or international conferences.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_02_B2203; source_row=36199
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's single judging experience, limited citation/implementation evidence, and single leading role at one company, while showing talent and promise, do not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement at the very top of the field.

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's single judging experience, limited citation/implementation evidence, and single leading role at one company, while showing talent and promise, do not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_01_B2203; source_row=36191
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner failed to establish the national or international significance of the Chemistry Teacher of the Year Award, noting the Petitioner focused on the national scope of the organization rather than the national recognition of the award itself. The expert opinion was of little probative value as it did not meaningfully address the national significance of the award.…

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AAO found that the Petitioner failed to establish the national or international significance of the Chemistry Teacher of the Year Award, noting the Petitioner focused on the national scope of the organization rather than the national recognition of the award itself. The expert opinion was of little probative value as it did not meaningfully address the national significance of the award. Semifinalist status does not satisfy the plain language of being 'in receipt' of an award.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_03_B2203; source_row=36210
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

Leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to establish that the Beneficiary performed in a leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation. The submitted letters did not describe how the Beneficiary's roles were leading or critical, and the record lacked evidence of the organizations' distinguished reputations.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to establish that the Beneficiary performed in a leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation. The submitted letters did not describe how the Beneficiary's roles were leading or critical, and the record lacked evidence of the organizations' distinguished reputations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_03_B2203; source_row=36215
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years full-time experience (employer letters)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The only qualifying employer letter confirmed the Petitioner's role but lacked a description of duties and did not indicate hours worked per week, making it impossible to conclude she had at least ten years of full-time experience. Non-qualifying evidence such as the CV, concert programs, and counsel statements was disregarded.

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The only qualifying employer letter confirmed the Petitioner's role but lacked a description of duties and did not indicate hours worked per week, making it impossible to conclude she had at least ten years of full-time experience. Non-qualifying evidence such as the CV, concert programs, and counsel statements was disregarded.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_01_B5203; source_row=36192
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The organizations submitted do not appear to be professional associations as defined in the regulations, which require restriction of membership to members of the professions. The organizations appear focused on music performance or instruction, which do not require a baccalaureate degree. Additionally, one letter merely offered a future teaching role and did not establish existing membership at the time of filing.

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The organizations submitted do not appear to be professional associations as defined in the regulations, which require restriction of membership to members of the professions. The organizations appear focused on music performance or instruction, which do not require a baccalaureate degree. Additionally, one letter merely offered a future teaching role and did not establish existing membership at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_01_B5203; source_row=36193
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions by peers, governmental entities, or professional/business organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters praised the Petitioner's talent and dedication to students and confirmed she provides teacher training, but did not establish she had been acknowledged for significant contributions to the field.

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The letters praised the Petitioner's talent and dedication to students and confirmed she provides teacher training, but did not establish she had been acknowledged for significant contributions to the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_01_B5203; source_row=36194
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO found the Petitioner demonstrated authorship of scholarly articles in the field in professional or major trade publications or major media.

Why this is useful

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Both the Director and AAO found the Petitioner demonstrated authorship of scholarly articles in the field in professional or major trade publications or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_02_B2203; source_row=36204
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while the letters speak to the originality and potential of the Petitioner's research, they do not demonstrate actual widespread implementation or major impact in the field of mechanical engineering. Publication, citation, and conference presentation alone are insufficient without evidence of actual significance.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that while the letters speak to the originality and potential of the Petitioner's research, they do not demonstrate actual widespread implementation or major impact in the field of mechanical engineering. Publication, citation, and conference presentation alone are insufficient without evidence of actual significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_01_B2203; source_row=36188
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the letter affirms the Petitioner's participation, comments on the quality of his review, and explains why he was invited, supported by conference brochure material.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the letter affirms the Petitioner's participation, comments on the quality of his review, and explains why he was invited, supported by conference brochure material.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_01_B2203; source_row=36187
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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