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 9081–9090

EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

While AAO agreed the tax return is for an individual (not a business), it found the return shows income from the Petitioner's role as a company owner/manager rather than as a Director of Photography, and without sufficient evidence that the compensation relates to his work in the field, no meaningful comparison to the submitted wage data was possible.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
While AAO agreed the tax return is for an individual (not a business), it found the return shows income from the Petitioner's role as a company owner/manager rather than as a Director of Photography, and without sufficient evidence that the compensation relates to his work in the field, no meaningful comparison to the submitted wage data was possible.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_01_B2203; source_row=30978
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that although the Petitioner was the recipient of the award, the record lacked evidence that the award was nationally or internationally recognized beyond the issuing entity, as there was no public reporting of its issuance or broader recognition in the field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that although the Petitioner was the recipient of the award, the record lacked evidence that the award was nationally or internationally recognized beyond the issuing entity, as there was no public reporting of its issuance or broader recognition in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_02_B2203; source_row=30984
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner failed to corroborate his claimed U.S. hourly earnings, that USCIS policy prohibits converting foreign earnings to USD for comparison, and that comparison to average salary levels does not satisfy the requirement of showing earnings high relative to others in the field. Uncorroborated opinion letters were deemed insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the Petitioner failed to corroborate his claimed U.S. hourly earnings, that USCIS policy prohibits converting foreign earnings to USD for comparison, and that comparison to average salary levels does not satisfy the requirement of showing earnings high relative to others in the field. Uncorroborated opinion letters were deemed insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_02_B2203; source_row=30986
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that at least one article was a press release rather than genuine published material, and the record lacked circulation statistics necessary to establish whether the outlets qualified as professional or major trade publications or major media.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that at least one article was a press release rather than genuine published material, and the record lacked circulation statistics necessary to establish whether the outlets qualified as professional or major trade publications or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_02_B2203; source_row=30985
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner materially changed her proposed endeavor by founding a consulting company after the petition filing date, and post-filing facts (including the consulting company and the COVID-19 pandemic) cannot establish eligibility.…

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 +
The Petitioner materially changed her proposed endeavor by founding a consulting company after the petition filing date, and post-filing facts (including the consulting company and the COVID-19 pandemic) cannot establish eligibility. Even setting aside the consulting company, the record does not show that the Petitioner's IT project management work has national or global implications within the field or broader implications such as significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_01_B5203; source_row=30981
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the record supports a finding that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor aimed at reducing pollution and minimizing environmental damage has substantial merit and is of national importance.

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 with the Director that the record supports a finding that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor aimed at reducing pollution and minimizing environmental damage has substantial merit and is of national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_02_B5203; source_row=30988
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to address the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the second prong, making further discussion of the balancing factors unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to address the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the second prong, making further discussion of the balancing factors unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_02_B5203; source_row=30990
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

On appeal, the Petitioner did not directly address this criterion, so AAO considered the claim abandoned and affirmed the Director's finding.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
On appeal, the Petitioner did not directly address this criterion, so AAO considered the claim abandoned and affirmed the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_01_B2203; source_row=30974
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

What the decision said

On appeal, the Petitioner did not directly address this criterion, so AAO considered the claim abandoned. AAO independently noted that the evidence showed the commercial success of the Petitioner's artist client, not the Petitioner's own commercial success as a performing artist.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
On appeal, the Petitioner did not directly address this criterion, so AAO considered the claim abandoned. AAO independently noted that the evidence showed the commercial success of the Petitioner's artist client, not the Petitioner's own commercial success as a performing artist.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_01_B2203; source_row=30979
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 reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet at least three criteria at step one, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet at least three criteria at step one, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-08_01_B2203; source_row=30980
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment