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 6661–6670

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

AAO agreed the criterion was met, but based its conclusion on the team and individual gold and silver medals at the Championships in 2006 and 2007 and the 2007 trophy awarded by the United States Dressage Federation, rather than the awards cited by the Director.

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AAO agreed the criterion was met, but based its conclusion on the team and individual gold and silver medals at the Championships in 2006 and 2007 and the 2007 trophy awarded by the United States Dressage Federation, rather than the awards cited by the Director.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_02_B2203; source_row=34686
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the Petitioner's role was critical, and disagreed with the Director on the distinguished reputation element. AAO found that the totality of evidence—including the owner's national championship wins, selection to represent the U.S.…

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AAO agreed the Petitioner's role was critical, and disagreed with the Director on the distinguished reputation element. AAO found that the totality of evidence—including the owner's national championship wins, selection to represent the U.S. at international games, young horse championship wins, and coaching of nationally successful riders—established the organization's distinguished reputation in dressage at the national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_02_B2203; source_row=34689
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

AAO agreed the criterion was met based on articles published on the website of Chronicles of the Horse, a magazine devoted to equestrian sports, which included all requisite information. Articles lacking authors or constituting press releases were discounted.

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AAO agreed the criterion was met based on articles published on the website of Chronicles of the Horse, a magazine devoted to equestrian sports, which included all requisite information. Articles lacking authors or constituting press releases were discounted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_02_B2203; source_row=34687
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the criterion relating to scholarly articles.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the criterion relating to scholarly articles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_01_B2203; source_row=34676
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the individual in professional or major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO disagreed with the Director and found the Petitioner satisfied the published material criterion, although in the final merits context the AAO noted the promotional nature of the articles.

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The AAO disagreed with the Director and found the Petitioner satisfied the published material criterion, although in the final merits context the AAO noted the promotional nature of the articles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_01_B2203; source_row=34674
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

The AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold of at least three criteria. In dicta, the AAO observed the record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

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The AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold of at least three criteria. In dicta, the AAO observed the record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_01_B2203; source_row=34679
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

Evidence of commanding a salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The salary comparison data does not cover the relevant tax return years, the employer letter claiming above-average pay lacks specificity on dates, positions, and amounts, and the income reflected in tax returns may not be attributable to exceptional ability. The record does not contain credible evidence that the Petitioner's income demonstrates exceptional ability.

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The salary comparison data does not cover the relevant tax return years, the employer letter claiming above-average pay lacks specificity on dates, positions, and amounts, and the income reflected in tax returns may not be attributable to exceptional ability. The record does not contain credible evidence that the Petitioner's income demonstrates exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_04_B5203; source_row=34660
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Evidence of membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The ASHRAE membership post-dates the petition filing date and therefore cannot be considered; eligibility must be established at the time of filing.

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The ASHRAE membership post-dates the petition filing date and therefore cannot be considered; eligibility must be established at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_04_B5203; source_row=34661
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or foreign equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The vocational certificates and letters do not demonstrate equivalency to a U.S. bachelor's or advanced degree; the regulations do not allow substitution of experience for a degree, and the evaluation used an inapplicable nonimmigrant standard. The record also fails to show the intended occupation requires a bachelor's degree for entry.

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The vocational certificates and letters do not demonstrate equivalency to a U.S. bachelor's or advanced degree; the regulations do not allow substitution of experience for a degree, and the evaluation used an inapplicable nonimmigrant standard. The record also fails to show the intended occupation requires a bachelor's degree for entry.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_04_B5203; source_row=34656
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

EB-2 advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's occupation does not require a minimum bachelor's degree for entry, and the combination of her physical education license and graduate certificate cannot substitute for a single foreign equivalent bachelor's degree under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2).

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AAO found the Petitioner's occupation does not require a minimum bachelor's degree for entry, and the combination of her physical education license and graduate certificate cannot substitute for a single foreign equivalent bachelor's degree under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_05_B5203; source_row=34666
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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