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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 9031–9040

EB-1AotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

completeness of record of proceedings supporting revocation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacks complete copies of the Petitioner's initial brief and supporting documents, and lacks the NOIR response, so AAO cannot determine whether revocation was supported by the record as required by Matter of Estime.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The record lacks complete copies of the Petitioner's initial brief and supporting documents, and lacks the NOIR response, so AAO cannot determine whether revocation was supported by the record as required by Matter of Estime.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-16_03_B2203; source_row=31078
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage to all I-140 beneficiaries

What the decision said

AAO did not reach a final ability-to-pay determination; instead it withdrew the denial and remanded so the Director could issue a new RFE for a complete I-140 beneficiary list and corresponding wage evidence and adjudicate the new financial evidence in the first instance.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO did not reach a final ability-to-pay determination; instead it withdrew the denial and remanded so the Director could issue a new RFE for a complete I-140 beneficiary list and corresponding wage evidence and adjudicate the new financial evidence in the first instance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-16_03_B5203; source_row=31079
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 found that none of the three organizations demonstrated they utilized nationally or internationally recognized experts to judge whether prospective members' achievements were outstanding, nor that such an outstanding determination was a condition of membership eligibility. The Petitioner's assertions were conclusory and unsupported by sufficient evidence.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that none of the three organizations demonstrated they utilized nationally or internationally recognized experts to judge whether prospective members' achievements were outstanding, nor that such an outstanding determination was a condition of membership eligibility. The Petitioner's assertions were conclusory and unsupported by sufficient evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-15_01_B2203; source_row=31056
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherProfessor

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

Both awards on appeal are primarily accompanied by foreign-language evidence with deficient blanket translation certifications, rendering the evidence of diminished evidentiary value. Additionally, the 2019 innovation award was issued to the Petitioner's university, not to the Petitioner personally, so it does not satisfy the plain language requirement of 'the alien's receipt' of prizes or awards.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Both awards on appeal are primarily accompanied by foreign-language evidence with deficient blanket translation certifications, rendering the evidence of diminished evidentiary value. Additionally, the 2019 innovation award was issued to the Petitioner's university, not to the Petitioner personally, so it does not satisfy the plain language requirement of 'the alien's receipt' of prizes or awards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-14_04_B2203; source_row=31050
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the testimonial letters made only broad, vague, and hyperbolic statements without detailed explanation of how the Petitioner's work was of major significance to the field as a whole. A Senate recommendation of her book was not probative of major significance, as books can be recommended for many reasons. Speaking and conference engagements also lacked evidence of significant field-wide impact.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the testimonial letters made only broad, vague, and hyperbolic statements without detailed explanation of how the Petitioner's work was of major significance to the field as a whole. A Senate recommendation of her book was not probative of major significance, as books can be recommended for many reasons. Speaking and conference engagements also lacked evidence of significant field-wide impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-14_01_B2203; source_row=31029
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner could not rely on salary increases that occurred after filing. The comparative data for operations research analysts was inappropriate because that position is not sufficiently similar to her chief of staff role. Even if the comparison were accepted, her $150,000 salary at the time of filing did not exceed the top-10-percent threshold of $160,850 for operations research analysts.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner could not rely on salary increases that occurred after filing. The comparative data for operations research analysts was inappropriate because that position is not sufficiently similar to her chief of staff role. Even if the comparison were accepted, her $150,000 salary at the time of filing did not exceed the top-10-percent threshold of $160,850 for operations research analysts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-14_03_B2203; source_row=31046
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

The metronews.ru piece lacked an identifiable author separate from the publication, and evidence of metronews.ru's status as major media was insufficient. The vc.ru pieces were self-authored promotional pieces, not published material 'about' the Petitioner. The research report was about trend forecasting findings and did not qualify as published material about the Petitioner.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The metronews.ru piece lacked an identifiable author separate from the publication, and evidence of metronews.ru's status as major media was insufficient. The vc.ru pieces were self-authored promotional pieces, not published material 'about' the Petitioner. The research report was about trend forecasting findings and did not qualify as published material about the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-14_03_B2203; source_row=31044
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the record fails to establish national importance, as the generalized industry reports do not address the Petitioner's specific endeavor, and the record lacks sufficient detail on the scope of operations, planned hiring, and broader industry implications of his companies.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed that the record fails to establish national importance, as the generalized industry reports do not address the Petitioner's specific endeavor, and the record lacks sufficient detail on the scope of operations, planned hiring, and broader industry implications of his companies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-14_02_B5203; source_row=31041
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that interviewing respected artists does not establish distinguished reputation, the media and trade articles were not adequately explained as supporting distinguished reputation, and having content broadcast on television networks does not demonstrate the company is marked by eminence, distinction, or excellence because lesser production companies also have content broadcast.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that interviewing respected artists does not establish distinguished reputation, the media and trade articles were not adequately explained as supporting distinguished reputation, and having content broadcast on television networks does not demonstrate the company is marked by eminence, distinction, or excellence because lesser production companies also have content broadcast.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-14_02_B2203; source_row=31036
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherProfessor

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

What the decision said

The Petitioner initially claimed this criterion but did not reassert it after the Director's RFE response, and did not contest the Director's findings or offer additional arguments on appeal. AAO treated the criterion as abandoned.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner initially claimed this criterion but did not reassert it after the Director's RFE response, and did not contest the Director's findings or offer additional arguments on appeal. AAO treated the criterion as abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-14_04_B2203; source_row=31053
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment