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 5901–5910

EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reopen – New Facts Demonstrating Eligibility

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner mailed the brief to the Phoenix Lockbox rather than directly to the AAO as explicitly required by the Form I-290B instructions; this does not demonstrate eligibility or have the potential to change the prior decision's outcome.

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The Petitioner mailed the brief to the Phoenix Lockbox rather than directly to the AAO as explicitly required by the Form I-290B instructions; this does not demonstrate eligibility or have the potential to change the prior decision's outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_01_B2203; source_row=35858
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reconsider – Decision Based on Incorrect Law or Policy

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the Petitioner did not dispute — and thereby abandoned — AAO's finding that the original appeal lacked a specific statement of error, the Petitioner cannot demonstrate that the prior decision was based on an incorrect application of law or policy. The issue is considered abandoned for this and any subsequent proceeding.

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Because the Petitioner did not dispute — and thereby abandoned — AAO's finding that the original appeal lacked a specific statement of error, the Petitioner cannot demonstrate that the prior decision was based on an incorrect application of law or policy. The issue is considered abandoned for this and any subsequent proceeding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_01_B2203; source_row=35859
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 concluded the Petitioner described general duties of an agronomist engineer rather than specific projects and goals, and the expert opinions focused on the importance of the agricultural industry generally and the Petitioner's qualifications rather than the specific endeavor's prospective impact. The claimed economic, environmental, and societal benefits were not supported by sufficient corroborating evidence.

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AAO concluded the Petitioner described general duties of an agronomist engineer rather than specific projects and goals, and the expert opinions focused on the importance of the agricultural industry generally and the Petitioner's qualifications rather than the specific endeavor's prospective impact. The claimed economic, environmental, and societal benefits were not supported by sufficient corroborating evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_11_B5203; source_row=35855
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 achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that neither the president's letter nor the association's website indicated that the association requires outstanding achievements of its members, even though the admission process is described as rigorous.

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AAO found that neither the president's letter nor the association's website indicated that the association requires outstanding achievements of its members, even though the admission process is described as rigorous.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_01_B2203; source_row=35805
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 individual in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Director ignored this criterion. However, AAO found the article only briefly mentioned the Petitioner and therefore could not be considered 'about' her. Additionally, the Petitioner failed to establish the publication is major media, offering only outdated circulation data from 2009–2015 rather than for the 2018 publication year.

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AAO agreed that the Director ignored this criterion. However, AAO found the article only briefly mentioned the Petitioner and therefore could not be considered 'about' her. Additionally, the Petitioner failed to establish the publication is major media, offering only outdated circulation data from 2009–2015 rather than for the 2018 publication year.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_01_B2203; source_row=35806
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 withdrew the Director's conclusion, finding that while the Petitioner documented receipt of prizes or awards, she did not submit sufficient documentary evidence establishing that they were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence. The article from a local newspaper section did not provide information establishing national or international recognition of the certificates.

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AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion, finding that while the Petitioner documented receipt of prizes or awards, she did not submit sufficient documentary evidence establishing that they were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence. The article from a local newspaper section did not provide information establishing national or international recognition of the certificates.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_01_B2203; source_row=35804
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that being the only monthly magazine for stringed instruments does not by itself establish it as a major trade publication, and that the article itself appeared to be a 'how-to' article rather than a scholarly article written for learned persons.

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AAO found that being the only monthly magazine for stringed instruments does not by itself establish it as a major trade publication, and that the article itself appeared to be a 'how-to' article rather than a scholarly article written for learned persons.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_01_B2203; source_row=35807
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 found that while the Petitioner has two master's degrees and engineer-in-training certification, his research papers were unpublished or lacked citation history, his recommendation letters did not demonstrate that his work had influenced the field or been adopted by others, and post-filing evidence could not be considered.…

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AAO found that while the Petitioner has two master's degrees and engineer-in-training certification, his research papers were unpublished or lacked citation history, his recommendation letters did not demonstrate that his work had influenced the field or been adopted by others, and post-filing evidence could not be considered. AAO concluded the Petitioner had not shown his research constitutes a record of success or progress in aviation technology sufficient to establish he is well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_04_B5203; source_row=35831
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that while the endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner failed to document sufficient prospective impact on the U.S. economy or the legal field more broadly. Business plan projections (9 direct employees, 22 indirect jobs, $150,000 in tax revenue by year five) lacked corroborating evidentiary support, and the expert opinion letter focused on the need for lawyers generally rather than on the specific prospec…

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AAO agreed that while the endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner failed to document sufficient prospective impact on the U.S. economy or the legal field more broadly. Business plan projections (9 direct employees, 22 indirect jobs, $150,000 in tax revenue by year five) lacked corroborating evidentiary support, and the expert opinion letter focused on the need for lawyers generally rather than on the specific prospective impact of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_05_B5203; source_row=35833
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 in major media or trade publications

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that some articles only briefly mention the Petitioner and are not 'about' him, some lacked a listed author, others were edited press releases from affiliated organizations functioning as marketing materials, and some articles were published after the filing date. Additionally, self-promotional media kit material is not sufficient to establish a publication as major media.

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The AAO found that some articles only briefly mention the Petitioner and are not 'about' him, some lacked a listed author, others were edited press releases from affiliated organizations functioning as marketing materials, and some articles were published after the filing date. Additionally, self-promotional media kit material is not sufficient to establish a publication as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_03_B2203; source_row=35822
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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