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 8641–8650

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

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the EXTIMO award was chapter-level and not nationally or internationally recognized. The organization's national membership was insufficient to show the award itself was nationally recognized, and the record lacked evidence of the number of competitors or level of recognition associated with the award.

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AAO agreed the EXTIMO award was chapter-level and not nationally or internationally recognized. The organization's national membership was insufficient to show the award itself was nationally recognized, and the record lacked evidence of the number of competitors or level of recognition associated with the award.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_03_B2203; source_row=31596
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 alien

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found neither article was 'about' the Beneficiary: one was mainly about a class project, and the other was about a Mexican filmmaker with the Beneficiary as a mere contributor. Additionally, even if one article could be deemed about the Beneficiary, the website on which it appeared was not shown to be a professional or major trade publication or major media.

Why this is useful

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AAO found neither article was 'about' the Beneficiary: one was mainly about a class project, and the other was about a Mexican filmmaker with the Beneficiary as a mere contributor. Additionally, even if one article could be deemed about the Beneficiary, the website on which it appeared was not shown to be a professional or major trade publication or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_03_B2203; source_row=31597
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that the Beneficiary was actually published by NECTFL (as opposed to merely presenting), failed to show all presenters are automatically published, and did not submit the articles themselves to determine if they qualify as scholarly articles.

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 found the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that the Beneficiary was actually published by NECTFL (as opposed to merely presenting), failed to show all presenters are automatically published, and did not submit the articles themselves to determine if they qualify as scholarly articles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_03_B2203; source_row=31600
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to establish how appearing in newspaper articles demonstrates that her company or the other collection is marked by eminence, distinction, or excellence. No evidence was submitted showing that the newspapers only publish material about organizations with a distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner failed to establish how appearing in newspaper articles demonstrates that her company or the other collection is marked by eminence, distinction, or excellence. No evidence was submitted showing that the newspapers only publish material about organizations with a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_01_B2203; source_row=31582
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 (comparable evidence: sales of designs)

Why AAO was not persuaded

While AAO agreed that comparable evidence could be considered, the record showing that the Petitioner sells designs in stores did not demonstrate that the volume of her sales reflects her commercial success relative to other fashion designers, as required.

Why this is useful

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

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While AAO agreed that comparable evidence could be considered, the record showing that the Petitioner sells designs in stores did not demonstrate that the volume of her sales reflects her commercial success relative to other fashion designers, as required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_01_B2203; source_row=31583
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The degree certificates appeared to be English translations rather than originals, the record lacked corroborating transcripts, and the equivalency evaluator's conclusions could not be verified because the underlying course and transcript records were not submitted.

Why this is useful

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

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The degree certificates appeared to be English translations rather than originals, the record lacked corroborating transcripts, and the equivalency evaluator's conclusions could not be verified because the underlying course and transcript records were not submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_04_B5203; source_row=31603
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

offered position requires an advanced degree professional

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees that the labor certification's stated requirements (three years of experience and no required education) do not support classification as an advanced degree professional.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agrees that the labor certification's stated requirements (three years of experience and no required education) do not support classification as an advanced degree professional.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_01_B5203; source_row=31586
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

The Director did not sufficiently analyze or discuss the evidence actually in the record; the use of masculine pronouns and references to inapplicable evidence suggests the Director was analyzing a different case.

Why this is useful

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

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The Director did not sufficiently analyze or discuss the evidence actually in the record; the use of masculine pronouns and references to inapplicable evidence suggests the Director was analyzing a different case.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_05_B5203; source_row=31608
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

The Director's discussion of national importance was based on evidence not in the record and claims not made by the Petitioner, making the analysis inapplicable to this case and insufficient for review.

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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The Director's discussion of national importance was based on evidence not in the record and claims not made by the Petitioner, making the analysis inapplicable to this case and insufficient for review.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_05_B5203; source_row=31607
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, waiving job offer requirement would benefit the United States

What the decision said

The Director mischaracterized the record by referencing evidence not present (income proof) while ignoring evidence that was present (scholarly articles), and made only conclusory statements without explaining the balancing analysis or addressing the Petitioner's specific claims.

Why this is useful

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

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The Director mischaracterized the record by referencing evidence not present (income proof) while ignoring evidence that was present (scholarly articles), and made only conclusory statements without explaining the balancing analysis or addressing the Petitioner's specific claims.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_05_B5203; source_row=31609
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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