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 8351–8360

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 distinguished reputations

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found the Petitioner met this criterion and the Petitioner did not contest it on appeal; AAO did not disturb this finding.

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The Director found the Petitioner met this criterion and the Petitioner did not contest it on appeal; AAO did not disturb this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-08_01_B2203; source_row=32061
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 conduct a full final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold evidentiary requirement of three criteria. AAO noted nonetheless that the Petitioner's own characterizations—behind-the-scenes work, unsung hero, rare media coverage—negated acclaim.

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AAO declined to conduct a full final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold evidentiary requirement of three criteria. AAO noted nonetheless that the Petitioner's own characterizations—behind-the-scenes work, unsung hero, rare media coverage—negated acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-08_01_B2203; source_row=32063
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong and a finding on the second prong was unnecessary to the result.

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

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AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong and a finding on the second prong was unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-08_03_B5203; source_row=32072
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer and labor certification

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong and a finding on the third prong was unnecessary to the result.

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 explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong and a finding on the third prong was unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-08_03_B5203; source_row=32073
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the substantial merit element was met (optimizing supply chain and logistics operations has merit), but found the national importance element was not established. The business plan's projections of eight jobs and modest revenues, unsupported claims about economically depressed areas, and expert letters focused on industry-level importance rather than the specific endeavor's prospective impact were insufficient.

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AAO agreed the substantial merit element was met (optimizing supply chain and logistics operations has merit), but found the national importance element was not established. The business plan's projections of eight jobs and modest revenues, unsupported claims about economically depressed areas, and expert letters focused on industry-level importance rather than the specific endeavor's prospective impact were insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-05_01_B5203; source_row=32047
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that 'profession' under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) requires at minimum a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent, and neither organization demonstrated it requires members to hold a bachelor's degree equivalent, nor did the Petitioner show he possesses such a degree. Accordingly, neither qualifies as a professional association.

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AAO found that 'profession' under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) requires at minimum a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent, and neither organization demonstrated it requires members to hold a bachelor's degree equivalent, nor did the Petitioner show he possesses such a degree. Accordingly, neither qualifies as a professional association.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-05_01_B5203; source_row=32044
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

commanding a high salary or other remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's earnings reflect his role as CEO and executive director rather than as an 'operations and transport manager,' and no comparative data for CEO salaries in Brazil was submitted, making it impossible to assess whether his remuneration demonstrates exceptional ability against similarly employed workers.

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AAO found the Petitioner's earnings reflect his role as CEO and executive director rather than as an 'operations and transport manager,' and no comparative data for CEO salaries in Brazil was submitted, making it impossible to assess whether his remuneration demonstrates exceptional ability against similarly employed workers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-05_01_B5203; source_row=32043
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 professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Where Moscow article was not sufficiently shown to be about the Petitioner and the Marie Claire item was only a photo caption without substantial discussion. For the other five publications, the Petitioner relied solely on Wikipedia to establish major media status, which was accorded no evidentiary weight, and the evidence in any case failed to show comparatively high viewership.

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AAO found the Where Moscow article was not sufficiently shown to be about the Petitioner and the Marie Claire item was only a photo caption without substantial discussion. For the other five publications, the Petitioner relied solely on Wikipedia to establish major media status, which was accorded no evidentiary weight, and the evidence in any case failed to show comparatively high viewership.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-05_01_B2203; source_row=32034
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 agreed the evidence did not establish that either association required outstanding achievements of its members as judged by recognized national or international experts. The letter from the former president of the second association confirmed membership but provided no information about membership requirements.

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AAO agreed the evidence did not establish that either association required outstanding achievements of its members as judged by recognized national or international experts. The letter from the former president of the second association confirmed membership but provided no information about membership requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-05_01_B2203; source_row=32033
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination — degree of expertise significantly above ordinarily encountered

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that a 2018 bachelor's degree in business administration is ordinary in the logistics field, the Petitioner's CSCMP membership showed zero engagement and no documented networking contributions, and the employer recognition letter showed good performance but not expertise significantly above ordinary.…

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AAO found that a 2018 bachelor's degree in business administration is ordinary in the logistics field, the Petitioner's CSCMP membership showed zero engagement and no documented networking contributions, and the employer recognition letter showed good performance but not expertise significantly above ordinary. Non-precedent EB-1A decisions submitted by the Petitioner were inapplicable as they concerned a different classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-05_03_B5203; source_row=32053
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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