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

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EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met the leading/critical role criterion.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met the leading/critical role criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-31_01_B2203; source_row=43754
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

What the decision said

The Petitioner failed to respond to the Director's RFE on the one-time achievement issue, abandoning the claim. The appellate arguments on this point are procedurally barred. AAO noted that even on cursory review the arguments were not persuasive.

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The Petitioner failed to respond to the Director's RFE on the one-time achievement issue, abandoning the claim. The appellate arguments on this point are procedurally barred. AAO noted that even on cursory review the arguments were not persuasive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-31_02_B2203; source_row=43760
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life SciencesMaster’s99 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed with the Director that the record supports a finding of substantial merit and national importance, noting that the Petitioner's research results are disseminated to others through scientific journals and conferences.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the record supports a finding of substantial merit and national importance, noting that the Petitioner's research results are disseminated to others through scientific journals and conferences.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-31_03_B5203; source_row=43777
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed substantial merit was present but found national importance was not established. The business plan's projections for 37 jobs and $1.9M net profit lacked basis and did not demonstrate significant economic impact. Recommendation letters praised personal attributes but lacked persuasive detail on broader impact. Articles addressed the field generally, not the specific proposed endeavor.…

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AAO agreed substantial merit was present but found national importance was not established. The business plan's projections for 37 jobs and $1.9M net profit lacked basis and did not demonstrate significant economic impact. Recommendation letters praised personal attributes but lacked persuasive detail on broader impact. Articles addressed the field generally, not the specific proposed endeavor. The Petitioner did not show her center would significantly reduce the claimed national ASL interpreter shortage, and such shortages are already addressed through the labor certification process.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-28_03_B5203; source_row=43737
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that evidence of the importance of the financial services industry generally, the proposed endeavor's projected client services, claimed job creation, and alignment with executive orders and legislation did not establish the prospective impact of this specific endeavor at a level commensurate with national importance.

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AAO agreed that evidence of the importance of the financial services industry generally, the proposed endeavor's projected client services, claimed job creation, and alignment with executive orders and legislation did not establish the prospective impact of this specific endeavor at a level commensurate with national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-28_02_B5203; source_row=43734
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

commanded a salary or other remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found significant inconsistencies between the accountant's salary comparison chart and the Petitioner's own tax returns, the Certification of Services, and the union salary sheets, making it impossible to determine the accuracy of the salary comparison. AAO also noted the Petitioner's occupation was listed as 'manager' rather than chemical technician, raising questions about appropriate comparators.

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AAO found significant inconsistencies between the accountant's salary comparison chart and the Petitioner's own tax returns, the Certification of Services, and the union salary sheets, making it impossible to determine the accuracy of the salary comparison. AAO also noted the Petitioner's occupation was listed as 'manager' rather than chemical technician, raising questions about appropriate comparators.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-28_06_B5203; source_row=43745
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance. Merely working in an important field is insufficient; the record lacked evidence that the Petitioner's specific consultancy would have broader national or global implications.…

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AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance. Merely working in an important field is insufficient; the record lacked evidence that the Petitioner's specific consultancy would have broader national or global implications. His methodology was acknowledged to be pre-existing internationally, and financial projections lacked sufficient corroboration to show substantial economic impact at the national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-28_01_B5203; source_row=43731
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not revisit prong two, which the Director had found in the Petitioner's favor.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not revisit prong two, which the Director had found in the Petitioner's favor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-28_02_B5203; source_row=43735
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

academic record

degree or diploma relating to area of exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion by submitting a copy of his degree as a chemical technician.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion by submitting a copy of his degree as a chemical technician.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-28_06_B5203; source_row=43743
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field by peers, governmental entities, or professional or business organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the submitted letters reflected customer satisfaction with services rendered but not recognition for achievements or significant contributions to the field from peers, governmental entities, or professional organizations. The expert opinion letter addressed only the NIW Dhanasar prongs and did not specifically address the exceptional ability recognition criterion.

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AAO found the submitted letters reflected customer satisfaction with services rendered but not recognition for achievements or significant contributions to the field from peers, governmental entities, or professional organizations. The expert opinion letter addressed only the NIW Dhanasar prongs and did not specifically address the exceptional ability recognition criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-28_06_B5203; source_row=43746
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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