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 8651–8660

NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

exceptional ability classification eligibility

What the decision said

AAO declines to reach the merits of exceptional ability and remands for the Director to determine eligibility in the first instance, noting the Director may request additional evidence including evidence that the offered position requires an individual of exceptional ability.

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AAO declines to reach the merits of exceptional ability and remands for the Director to determine eligibility in the first instance, noting the Director may request additional evidence including evidence that the offered position requires an individual of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_01_B5203; source_row=31587
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work in the field at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded that musical performances should be considered 'artistic exhibitions or showcases' intended to showcase the Petitioner's musical talent as a bassoonist, and that she therefore satisfies the plain language of the criterion. AAO withdrew the Director's determination.

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AAO concluded that musical performances should be considered 'artistic exhibitions or showcases' intended to showcase the Petitioner's musical talent as a bassoonist, and that she therefore satisfies the plain language of the criterion. AAO withdrew the Director's determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_02_B2203; source_row=31593
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary satisfied the judging of others criterion.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary satisfied the judging of others criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_03_B2203; source_row=31598
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 distinguished organizations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary satisfied the leading or critical role criterion.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary satisfied the leading or critical role criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_03_B2203; source_row=31601
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 alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because even if the Petitioner established it, she still could not meet the required number of three criteria, making a decision on this ground unnecessary.

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because even if the Petitioner established it, she still could not meet the required number of three criteria, making a decision on this ground unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_01_B2203; source_row=31584
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's argument that the criterion does not apply to her profession was rejected, precluding consideration of comparable evidence. The video presentation submitted was given to a general audience of Spanish-speaking fashion lovers, not learned persons in the field, and was not shown to qualify as major media.

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The Petitioner's argument that the criterion does not apply to her profession was rejected, precluding consideration of comparable evidence. The video presentation submitted was given to a general audience of Spanish-speaking fashion lovers, not learned persons in the field, and was not shown to qualify as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_01_B2203; source_row=31580
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work in the field at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner met criterion (vii) regarding display. No further analysis was provided on appeal.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner met criterion (vii) regarding display. No further analysis was provided on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_01_B2203; source_row=31581
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

Step 2 final merits determination was not reached because the Petitioner failed at step 1. AAO nonetheless noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.

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Step 2 final merits determination was not reached because the Petitioner failed at step 1. AAO nonetheless 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=2023-03-29_01_B2203; source_row=31585
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's association roles did not demonstrate that these entities had any interest in devoting resources to the United States. He failed to explain how he would conduct research in the United States, maintain access to Korean technologies from abroad, fund his endeavor, or identify specific buyers or products for any proposed sales.

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The Petitioner's association roles did not demonstrate that these entities had any interest in devoting resources to the United States. He failed to explain how he would conduct research in the United States, maintain access to Korean technologies from abroad, fund his endeavor, or identify specific buyers or products for any proposed sales.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_04_B5203; source_row=31605
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

The Petitioner failed to identify any specific research area, technique, or technology he proposes to bring to the United States, and did not explain how sales of U.S. medical equipment to Korea would benefit the United States at a nationally important scale. Reference letters were conclusory and lacked probative details.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner failed to identify any specific research area, technique, or technology he proposes to bring to the United States, and did not explain how sales of U.S. medical equipment to Korea would benefit the United States at a nationally important scale. Reference letters were conclusory and lacked probative details.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-03-29_04_B5203; source_row=31604
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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