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 10161–10170

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

Participation as a judge of the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the record lacks sufficient independent evidence that the competition was completed and broadcast as planned, and also noted ambiguity about whether the judging panel selected winners or merely provided advice.

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AAO agreed the record lacks sufficient independent evidence that the competition was completed and broadcast as planned, and also noted ambiguity about whether the judging panel selected winners or merely provided advice.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_01_B2203; source_row=29442
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Foreign equivalent degree to U.S. baccalaureate

Why AAO was not persuaded

The IIIE is a professional association, not a college or university, and its graduateship certificate expressly states only that it is recognized 'at par' with a bachelor's degree for government recruitment purposes — not that it is an academic degree. Credential evaluations are advisory only and do not overcome the regulatory requirement for a foreign equivalent degree from an academic institution.…

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The IIIE is a professional association, not a college or university, and its graduateship certificate expressly states only that it is recognized 'at par' with a bachelor's degree for government recruitment purposes — not that it is an academic degree. Credential evaluations are advisory only and do not overcome the regulatory requirement for a foreign equivalent degree from an academic institution. The statement of marks documents examination assignments, not academic coursework, and cannot constitute an official academic record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_01_B5203; source_row=29446
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO clarified it had not required employer-only letters; rather, the letters failed because none provided analysis of how the Petitioner's work was progressively responsible. The letters lacked specific descriptions of duties or training to show at least five years of progressive experience.

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AAO clarified it had not required employer-only letters; rather, the letters failed because none provided analysis of how the Petitioner's work was progressively responsible. The letters lacked specific descriptions of duties or training to show at least five years of progressive experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_02_B5203; source_row=29449
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Foreign degree equivalency to U.S. bachelor's degree

Why AAO was not persuaded

Without a transcript and with a deficient credential evaluation that failed to explain how the Petitioner's coursework compared to a U.S. education, the foreign degree could not be deemed equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The university ranking evidence did not cure these deficiencies.

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Without a transcript and with a deficient credential evaluation that failed to explain how the Petitioner's coursework compared to a U.S. education, the foreign degree could not be deemed equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The university ranking evidence did not cure these deficiencies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_02_B5203; source_row=29448
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The substantial merit sub-issue was waived by the Petitioner. On national importance, AAO found the Petitioner did not demonstrate broader implications of his proposed endeavor, as the evidence showed work confined to his employer's projects without showing national or global impact. AAO also rejected the Petitioner's argument that Dhanasar requires a one-to-one comparison with Dr. Dhanasar's endeavor.

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The substantial merit sub-issue was waived by the Petitioner. On national importance, AAO found the Petitioner did not demonstrate broader implications of his proposed endeavor, as the evidence showed work confined to his employer's projects without showing national or global impact. AAO also rejected the Petitioner's argument that Dhanasar requires a one-to-one comparison with Dr. Dhanasar's endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_02_B5203; source_row=29450
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Minimum educational requirement of labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The labor certification's reference to a 'foreign educational equivalent' requires an actual foreign equivalent degree, not merely a credential comparable to a degree. Since the IIIE is not a degree-granting institution, the Beneficiary's IIIE membership does not satisfy the labor certification's minimum educational requirement.

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The labor certification's reference to a 'foreign educational equivalent' requires an actual foreign equivalent degree, not merely a credential comparable to a degree. Since the IIIE is not a degree-granting institution, the Beneficiary's IIIE membership does not satisfy the labor certification's minimum educational requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_01_B5203; source_row=29447
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

High salary or other significantly high remuneration for services

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the record was insufficient, noting the invoices did not isolate the Petitioner's personal remuneration from group/event expenses, the payment documentation post-dated the petition filing, there were no comprehensive annual earnings records, and U.S. wage comparisons are inappropriate for work performed in another country.

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AAO agreed the record was insufficient, noting the invoices did not isolate the Petitioner's personal remuneration from group/event expenses, the payment documentation post-dated the petition filing, there were no comprehensive annual earnings records, and U.S. wage comparisons are inappropriate for work performed in another country.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_01_B2203; source_row=29445
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

Because the Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusions regarding this issue on appeal, AAO considered it abandoned.

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Because the Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusions regarding this issue on appeal, AAO considered it abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_01_B2203; source_row=29439
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 individual's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO disagreed with the Director's restrictive interpretation limiting the criterion to visual artists, finding that performances at cultural events intended to showcase music satisfy the plain language of the criterion, and therefore withdrew the Director's determination.

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AAO disagreed with the Director's restrictive interpretation limiting the criterion to visual artists, finding that performances at cultural events intended to showcase music satisfy the plain language of the criterion, and therefore withdrew the Director's determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_01_B2203; source_row=29443
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

AAO found the Petitioner's arguments addressed the second and third Dhanasar prongs rather than the first, and that no specific evidence was presented to show the proposed endeavor has broader national implications such as significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.

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AAO found the Petitioner's arguments addressed the second and third Dhanasar prongs rather than the first, and that no specific evidence was presented to show the proposed endeavor has broader national implications such as significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-31_04_B5203; source_row=29453
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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