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 10221–10230

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent (five years progressive experience)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the company formation records and Articles of Association amendments do not satisfy the regulatory requirement for employer letters under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(B), and that work as a physical education teacher and soccer referee does not relate to the specialty of entrepreneurship.

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AAO agreed that the company formation records and Articles of Association amendments do not satisfy the regulatory requirement for employer letters under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(B), and that work as a physical education teacher and soccer referee does not relate to the specialty of entrepreneurship.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-17_01_B5203; source_row=29376
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong, rendering further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong, rendering further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-17_01_B5203; source_row=29380
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Filing fee properly paid

Why AAO was not persuaded

None of the documents submitted by the Petitioner specifically identified the petition or Beneficiary for which the filing fee was being paid. The check was dated more than two months before the petition was filed, lacked any DHS or Treasury marking confirming receipt and deposit, and a USCIS refund letter to the Beneficiary confirmed the petition was revoked for a bounced check.…

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None of the documents submitted by the Petitioner specifically identified the petition or Beneficiary for which the filing fee was being paid. The check was dated more than two months before the petition was filed, lacked any DHS or Treasury marking confirming receipt and deposit, and a USCIS refund letter to the Beneficiary confirmed the petition was revoked for a bounced check. The Petitioner failed to reconcile these evidentiary inconsistencies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-16_03_B5203; source_row=29374
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Section 204(c) marriage fraud bar

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO independently reviewed the record and concluded that section 204(c) applies because there is substantial and probative evidence the marriage lacked bona fides. The Petitioner failed to address the District Director's specific evidentiary findings from the I-130 proceeding, submitted only bare affidavits without new substantive evidence, and did not adequately explain the lack of the Beneficiary's possessions in the shar…

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AAO independently reviewed the record and concluded that section 204(c) applies because there is substantial and probative evidence the marriage lacked bona fides. The Petitioner failed to address the District Director's specific evidentiary findings from the I-130 proceeding, submitted only bare affidavits without new substantive evidence, and did not adequately explain the lack of the Beneficiary's possessions in the shared residence or his extended absences.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-16_01_B5203; source_row=29369
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 does not reach the ultimate final merits question because the Director's analysis was incomplete; AAO only notes it may agree that the 2007 judging activity is not indicative of acclaim, but the remaining criteria evidence must still be weighed.

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AAO does not reach the ultimate final merits question because the Director's analysis was incomplete; AAO only notes it may agree that the 2007 judging activity is not indicative of acclaim, but the remaining criteria evidence must still be weighed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-16_02_B2203; source_row=29370
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

All evidence submitted on appeal was dated after the December 2018 petition filing date and therefore could not establish eligibility. Even if considered, the business plan lacked sufficient detail to show the endeavor would significantly employ U.S. workers, and the articles and advisory council invitation did not address how the specific endeavor would produce substantial positive economic effects at the national level.

Why this is useful

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All evidence submitted on appeal was dated after the December 2018 petition filing date and therefore could not establish eligibility. Even if considered, the business plan lacked sufficient detail to show the endeavor would significantly employ U.S. workers, and the articles and advisory council invitation did not address how the specific endeavor would produce substantial positive economic effects at the national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-16_02_B5203; source_row=29371
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved opinion on the third prong because the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO explicitly reserved opinion on the third prong because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-16_02_B5203; source_row=29373
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved opinion on the second prong because the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO explicitly reserved opinion on the second prong because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-16_02_B5203; source_row=29372
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 AAO agreed with the Director that the purchase orders and invoices were insufficient to establish the Petitioner's personal earnings because they did not reflect compensation to the Petitioner specifically, and there was no verifiable tax documentation or other evidence confirming actual remuneration received.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the purchase orders and invoices were insufficient to establish the Petitioner's personal earnings because they did not reflect compensation to the Petitioner specifically, and there was no verifiable tax documentation or other evidence confirming actual remuneration received.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=29366
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

While the AAO found sufficient evidence that the Petitioner held a leading or critical role in the company, the record lacked independent documentary evidence establishing that the company itself had a distinguished reputation. Client testimonial letters and press articles spoke to the Petitioner's personal reputation, not the company's.

Why this is useful

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

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While the AAO found sufficient evidence that the Petitioner held a leading or critical role in the company, the record lacked independent documentary evidence establishing that the company itself had a distinguished reputation. Client testimonial letters and press articles spoke to the Petitioner's personal reputation, not the company's.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-05-12_01_B2203; source_row=29365
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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