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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 621630

EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

commandment of a high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letter stated Petitioner's salary is high compared to other national karate coaches but did not indicate by how much it exceeds others, and the record lacked independent, objective evidence corroborating the letter's statements.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The letter stated Petitioner's salary is high compared to other national karate coaches but did not indicate by how much it exceeds others, and the record lacked independent, objective evidence corroborating the letter's statements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B2203; source_row=44332
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 awards for excellence

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed athletic awards were properly discounted given 15+ years as coach post-athlete career. The 2015 judging medal lacked corroboration and was for participation rather than excellence. Federation certificates cannot be attributed to the Petitioner and lack broader recognition. The Russian city certificate expressed gratitude rather than excellence.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed athletic awards were properly discounted given 15+ years as coach post-athlete career. The 2015 judging medal lacked corroboration and was for participation rather than excellence. Federation certificates cannot be attributed to the Petitioner and lack broader recognition. The Russian city certificate expressed gratitude rather than excellence. Coaching licenses and Dan grade do not favorably compare to awards for excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B2203; source_row=44325
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the criterion does not readily apply to karate coaching since karate is a performance art rather than visual art, but found that coaching at competitions does not compare to displaying works of art because competitions focus on athletes' performances and coaches' contributions remain largely unseen by the public.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed the criterion does not readily apply to karate coaching since karate is a performance art rather than visual art, but found that coaching at competitions does not compare to displaying works of art because competitions focus on athletes' performances and coaches' contributions remain largely unseen by the public.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B2203; source_row=44330
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the criterion does not readily apply to karate coaches, but found that coaching at competitions does not compare to commercial successes in performing arts. Counsel's assertion about student bonuses was unsubstantiated and did not constitute evidence, and the record lacked amounts and comparisons to other coaches.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed the criterion does not readily apply to karate coaches, but found that coaching at competitions does not compare to commercial successes in performing arts. Counsel's assertion about student bonuses was unsubstantiated and did not constitute evidence, and the record lacked amounts and comparisons to other coaches.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B2203; source_row=44333
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

The federation's charter contradicted officials' letters by listing only fee payment and application requirements, not outstanding achievements. The non-precedent decision cited by Petitioner is not binding and involved an athlete rather than a coach. The record also did not establish that recognized national or international experts judge members.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The federation's charter contradicted officials' letters by listing only fee payment and application requirements, not outstanding achievements. The non-precedent decision cited by Petitioner is not binding and involved an athlete rather than a coach. The record also did not establish that recognized national or international experts judge members.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B2203; source_row=44326
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 petitioner

Why AAO was not persuaded

The online articles focus on the team and only briefly identify the Petitioner as coach, lacking substantial discussion of his work. Social media pages are reliable but primarily contain images without substantial discussion. The video does not substantially discuss his work and judging was not established as the same field as coaching.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The online articles focus on the team and only briefly identify the Petitioner as coach, lacking substantial discussion of his work. Social media pages are reliable but primarily contain images without substantial discussion. The video does not substantially discuss his work and judging was not established as the same field as coaching.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B2203; source_row=44327
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 substantial merit was met but found national importance lacking. Submitted articles addressed the field generally rather than the specific endeavor; projections of 10-30 employees and ~$297,099 profit did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects; and services offered were not shown to be unique, innovative, or have national/global implications.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed substantial merit was met but found national importance lacking. Submitted articles addressed the field generally rather than the specific endeavor; projections of 10-30 employees and ~$297,099 profit did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects; and services offered were not shown to be unique, innovative, or have national/global implications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B5203; source_row=44335
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong because the prong-one finding was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved this prong because the prong-one finding was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_02_B5203; source_row=44339
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

performance in a leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found SCOPS erred by requiring employment rather than merely performance in a leading or critical role. A preponderance of evidence showed the Petitioner founded the federation in 1998 and serves as head coach, establishing him as the organization's leader. The federation's distinguished reputation was supported by evidence that approximately 80% of Armenia's national karate team athletes come from his federation.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found SCOPS erred by requiring employment rather than merely performance in a leading or critical role. A preponderance of evidence showed the Petitioner founded the federation in 1998 and serves as head coach, establishing him as the organization's leader. The federation's distinguished reputation was supported by evidence that approximately 80% of Armenia's national karate team athletes come from his federation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B2203; source_row=44331
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of others' work

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found a preponderance of evidence — online video, photos, and letters — confirmed the Petitioner's role as judge of karate athletes at various competitions, and recognized karate competitions as an allied field of karate coaching.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found a preponderance of evidence — online video, photos, and letters — confirmed the Petitioner's role as judge of karate athletes at various competitions, and recognized karate competitions as an allied field of karate coaching.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B2203; source_row=44328
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
Back to assessment