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 6591–6600

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding. As to I-, the Petitioner's occasional guest lecturing did not establish a leading or critical role for the organization. As to L-, the record lacked contemporaneous documentary evidence of employment or a letter from L- itself, and the letter from an actress lacked sufficient probative value.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding. As to I-, the Petitioner's occasional guest lecturing did not establish a leading or critical role for the organization. As to L-, the record lacked contemporaneous documentary evidence of employment or a letter from L- itself, and the letter from an actress lacked sufficient probative value.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_01_B2203; source_row=34763
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The 2006 newspaper articles did not sufficiently show that their circulation levels at the time indicated major media publications, and evidence of 2022 website visits did not remedy this gap. The M-M- internet publication had fewer than 5,000 monthly visits and was not shown to be a qualifying publication.

Why this is useful

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

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The 2006 newspaper articles did not sufficiently show that their circulation levels at the time indicated major media publications, and evidence of 2022 website visits did not remedy this gap. The M-M- internet publication had fewer than 5,000 monthly visits and was not shown to be a qualifying publication.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_01_B2203; source_row=34760
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacked contemporaneous evidence confirming the Petitioner's invitation and participation as a judge. The submitted internet materials about I- made no mention of the examinations. Without additional probative information, AAO could not determine whether judging the event entailed judging work in the Petitioner's field or an allied field.

Why this is useful

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

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The record lacked contemporaneous evidence confirming the Petitioner's invitation and participation as a judge. The submitted internet materials about I- made no mention of the examinations. Without additional probative information, AAO could not determine whether judging the event entailed judging work in the Petitioner's field or an allied field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_01_B2203; source_row=34761
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent (five years progressive post-baccalaureate experience)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO calculated approximately 3 years and 8 months of post-baccalaureate work experience from the two employer letters, which falls short of the required five years of progressive experience in sales and marketing needed to qualify as an advanced degree professional.

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

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AAO calculated approximately 3 years and 8 months of post-baccalaureate work experience from the two employer letters, which falls short of the required five years of progressive experience in sales and marketing needed to qualify as an advanced degree professional.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_06_B5203; source_row=34798
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the business plan projections (2–6 employees, modest payroll, limited tax revenues) did not show operations at a nationally important scale. Benefits appeared to be localized to individual client companies rather than having broader national impact. Evidence submitted largely addressed the importance of the consulting industry or profession rather than the specific proposed 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 found that the business plan projections (2–6 employees, modest payroll, limited tax revenues) did not show operations at a nationally important scale. Benefits appeared to be localized to individual client companies rather than having broader national impact. Evidence submitted largely addressed the importance of the consulting industry or profession rather than the specific proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_01_B5203; source_row=34769
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO found that the Petitioner met this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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Both the Director and AAO found that the Petitioner met this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_03_B2203; source_row=34781
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal, so AAO considered the issue waived.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal, so AAO considered the issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_03_B2203; source_row=34782
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO found that the Petitioner met this criterion. AAO noted the record supports a finding that the Petitioner meets this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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Both the Director and AAO found that the Petitioner met this criterion. AAO noted the record supports a finding that the Petitioner meets this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_03_B2203; source_row=34779
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 reserved the final merits determination because step 1 was not met, but noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of 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 reserved the final merits determination because step 1 was not met, but noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_03_B2203; source_row=34783
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the merits of the third prong and directed the Director on remand to consider and evaluate the Petitioner's claims, including those made on appeal.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO did not reach the merits of the third prong and directed the Director on remand to consider and evaluate the Petitioner's claims, including those made on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-30_06_B5203; source_row=34801
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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