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.
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Medicine / ClinicalResearcher
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
What the decision said
AAO declined to conduct the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the minimum 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 conduct the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the minimum 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=2022-08-09_01_B2203; source_row=29748 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Medicine / ClinicalResearcher
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
Expert letters either described potential future impact rather than already-achieved significance, or were conclusory without explaining how the research impacted the field. Citation counts lacked comparative context establishing a 'goodly number' in neurosurgery, and the Petitioner's own publications characterized the research as preliminary requiring further study.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
View full reasoning +
Expert letters either described potential future impact rather than already-achieved significance, or were conclusory without explaining how the research impacted the field. Citation counts lacked comparative context establishing a 'goodly number' in neurosurgery, and the Petitioner's own publications characterized the research as preliminary requiring further study.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-08-09_01_B2203; source_row=29745 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
labor certification supports advanced degree professional classification
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agrees the H.14 language goes beyond standard Kellogg language and creates a minimum requirement that could be satisfied with less than a single bachelor's degree, defeating advanced degree professional classification.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO agrees the H.14 language goes beyond standard Kellogg language and creates a minimum requirement that could be satisfied with less than a single bachelor's degree, defeating advanced degree professional classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-08-09_01_B5203; source_row=29749 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agrees the record lacks regulatory evidence of five years of progressive experience as of the priority date; the prior 2006 labor certification described identical duties showing no progression, and post-priority-date experience cannot count.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO agrees the record lacks regulatory evidence of five years of progressive experience as of the priority date; the prior 2006 labor certification described identical duties showing no progression, and post-priority-date experience cannot count.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-08-09_01_B5203; source_row=29750 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim at top of field
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed the final merits standard, finding the evidence of business leadership scant and largely self-sourced, speaking engagements ambiguously tied to political rather than business activities, the single expert letter unhelpful as to business contributions, and credible corruption accusations detracting from claimed acclaim.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed the final merits standard, finding the evidence of business leadership scant and largely self-sourced, speaking engagements ambiguously tied to political rather than business activities, the single expert letter unhelpful as to business contributions, and credible corruption accusations detracting from claimed acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-08-08_01_B2203; source_row=29728 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that one award did not name the Petitioner as recipient, one was not for excellence in business, and the remaining three lacked sufficient evidence of national or international recognition beyond the awarding entities themselves.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found that one award did not name the Petitioner as recipient, one was not for excellence in business, and the remaining three lacked sufficient evidence of national or international recognition beyond the awarding entities themselves.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-08-08_01_B2203; source_row=29727 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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
AAO found the Petitioner failed to explain how her role in designing cultural centers provides broader cultural enrichment that would not exist without her services, and that she had not shown her techniques are so unique as to impact historical architecture at a nationally important scale.
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 found the Petitioner failed to explain how her role in designing cultural centers provides broader cultural enrichment that would not exist without her services, and that she had not shown her techniques are so unique as to impact historical architecture at a nationally important scale.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-08-08_01_B5203; source_row=29729 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c