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 6581–6590

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others in the same or allied field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the criterion was not met, but on grounds that the Petitioner's role was advisory rather than as a final judge, and the individuals he evaluated were students not yet professionals in the same or allied field.

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AAO agreed the criterion was not met, but on grounds that the Petitioner's role was advisory rather than as a final judge, and the individuals he evaluated were students not yet professionals in the same or allied field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-12-01_01_B2203; source_row=34804
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner's evidence showed the importance of supply chain management generally but not the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor. His personal statements were vague, unsupported by independent evidence, and lacked detail about his planned methodology, study, or implementation. The absence of a business plan precluded assessment of the endeavor's potential prospective impact.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's evidence showed the importance of supply chain management generally but not the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor. His personal statements were vague, unsupported by independent evidence, and lacked detail about his planned methodology, study, or implementation. The absence of a business plan precluded assessment of the endeavor's potential prospective impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-12-01_02_B5203; source_row=34812
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the step-one minimum was not met, but observed in dicta that the record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the step-one minimum was not met, but observed in dicta that the record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-12-01_01_B2203; source_row=34807
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

clear evidence of intent to continue work in area of expertise

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record contained unresolved material inconsistencies: the Petitioner's own signed cover letter and book excerpt stated he would work in trauma studies and psychoanalysis, contradicting his appellate claim that his field is English language and literature.

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AAO found the record contained unresolved material inconsistencies: the Petitioner's own signed cover letter and book excerpt stated he would work in trauma studies and psychoanalysis, contradicting his appellate claim that his field is English language and literature.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-12-01_01_B2203; source_row=34808
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner in professional or major trade publications or other major media

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not reach the minimum of three criteria regardless of its outcome. AAO noted that one article incorrectly states the Petitioner obtained a Ph.D. in Trauma Studies and was inexplicably published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research, raising further inconsistencies the Petitioner should address in future filings.

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not reach the minimum of three criteria regardless of its outcome. AAO noted that one article incorrectly states the Petitioner obtained a Ph.D. in Trauma Studies and was inexplicably published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research, raising further inconsistencies the Petitioner should address in future filings.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-12-01_01_B2203; source_row=34803
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

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

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not reach the minimum of three criteria regardless. AAO noted the Director had made a typographical error regarding this criterion.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not reach the minimum of three criteria regardless. AAO noted the Director had made a typographical error regarding this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-12-01_01_B2203; source_row=34806
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 the Master of Sports of Ukraine is an honorary governmental title, not membership in an association. Even if it were membership, the record does not establish that outstanding achievements are a prerequisite for entry into the relevant organizations.

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AAO found that the Master of Sports of Ukraine is an honorary governmental title, not membership in an association. Even if it were membership, the record does not establish that outstanding achievements are a prerequisite for entry into the relevant organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_03_B2203; source_row=34780
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 articles and reports relate to drones and the construction industry in general, not to the Petitioner's specific endeavor. The Petitioner's argument that his endeavor differs from his employment did not explain how that distinction affects the national importance analysis. The Director's decision was consistent with Dhanasar precedent.

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 articles and reports relate to drones and the construction industry in general, not to the Petitioner's specific endeavor. The Petitioner's argument that his endeavor differs from his employment did not explain how that distinction affects the national importance analysis. The Director's decision was consistent with Dhanasar precedent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_04_B5203; source_row=34792
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The online article referenced a government salary report but the report itself was not provided, so AAO could not ascertain the basis for the salary figures, their validity, or the specific occupations covered.

Why this is useful

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

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The online article referenced a government salary report but the report itself was not provided, so AAO could not ascertain the basis for the salary figures, their validity, or the specific occupations covered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_04_B2203; source_row=34790
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the platform is an employment agency, not a professional association, and that its selection process—which emphasizes skills and marketability—does not require 'outstanding achievements' within the meaning of the criterion. The Petitioner's relationship with the platform is that of agent-talent, not membership in a professional association.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the platform is an employment agency, not a professional association, and that its selection process—which emphasizes skills and marketability—does not require 'outstanding achievements' within the meaning of the criterion. The Petitioner's relationship with the platform is that of agent-talent, not membership in a professional association.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_04_B2203; source_row=34785
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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