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 10291–10300

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life SciencesPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded that the Petitioner's PhD, considerable expertise, track record of successful research, and the widespread public health benefits of her work advancing cancer treatment mean that on balance her contributions would benefit the United States even assuming other qualified U.S. workers are available.

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AAO concluded that the Petitioner's PhD, considerable expertise, track record of successful research, and the widespread public health benefits of her work advancing cancer treatment mean that on balance her contributions would benefit the United States even assuming other qualified U.S. workers are available.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-18_02_B5203; source_row=29271
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 that the letters of support focused on the Petitioner's skills and past work at a single state agency rather than national importance. The Petitioner's statements of intent to extend his research nationally were not corroborated by evidence from other state agencies, and the two submitted reports did not demonstrate prospective impact beyond the single state agency.…

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AAO found that the letters of support focused on the Petitioner's skills and past work at a single state agency rather than national importance. The Petitioner's statements of intent to extend his research nationally were not corroborated by evidence from other state agencies, and the two submitted reports did not demonstrate prospective impact beyond the single state agency. The Petitioner also failed to show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-17_06_B5203; source_row=29260
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's claimed qualifications and contributions supporting his being well positioned were the product of willful misrepresentation and unsubstantiated assertions.

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AAO found the Petitioner's claimed qualifications and contributions supporting his being well positioned were the product of willful misrepresentation and unsubstantiated assertions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-17_05_B5203; source_row=29259
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding that the second prong was met because the Petitioner submitted inconsistent information about her proposed endeavor on appeal, making it impossible to assess whether she is well positioned to advance any specific endeavor.

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

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding that the second prong was met because the Petitioner submitted inconsistent information about her proposed endeavor on appeal, making it impossible to assess whether she is well positioned to advance any specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-17_07_B5203; source_row=29264
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the banking-management evidence failed to show national importance beyond the employer and its clients. AAO also rejected the newly asserted DSP business plan as a material change submitted after filing that could not retroactively establish eligibility.

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AAO agreed that the banking-management evidence failed to show national importance beyond the employer and its clients. AAO also rejected the newly asserted DSP business plan as a material change submitted after filing that could not retroactively establish eligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-17_07_B5203; source_row=29263
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the Petitioner's five awards, limited media coverage (one qualifying article plus ten others showing some recognition but not sustained acclaim), a single judging instance at an internal organizational event in 2015, and CTA membership did not collectively establish sustained national or international acclaim or demonstrate he is among the small percentage at the very top of his field.

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The AAO found that the Petitioner's five awards, limited media coverage (one qualifying article plus ten others showing some recognition but not sustained acclaim), a single judging instance at an internal organizational event in 2015, and CTA membership did not collectively establish sustained national or international acclaim or demonstrate he is among the small percentage at the very top of his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-17_01_B2203; source_row=29246
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 that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance of her proposed endeavor, reaffirming this conclusion across multiple prior decisions and finding no new facts presented in the current motion to alter the outcome.

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Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO found that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance of her proposed endeavor, reaffirming this conclusion across multiple prior decisions and finding no new facts presented in the current motion to alter the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-17_03_B5203; source_row=29254
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 reaffirmed its prior conclusion that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor would primarily impact his employer rather than the field or industry more broadly. The new evidence—including reports attesting to the value of the energy industry and non-precedent decisions—did not establish the national importance of the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor as distinct from the broader industry.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO reaffirmed its prior conclusion that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor would primarily impact his employer rather than the field or industry more broadly. The new evidence—including reports attesting to the value of the energy industry and non-precedent decisions—did not establish the national importance of the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor as distinct from the broader industry.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-17_01_B5203; source_row=29247
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's bachelor's degree was obtained in March 2014, fewer than five years before the October 2018 petition filing, so he cannot satisfy the five-year progressive post-baccalaureate experience requirement, and eligibility cannot be established at a future date.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner's bachelor's degree was obtained in March 2014, fewer than five years before the October 2018 petition filing, so he cannot satisfy the five-year progressive post-baccalaureate experience requirement, and eligibility cannot be established at a future date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-17_02_B5203; source_row=29250
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the second prong because failure on the first prong was dispositive and addressing the second prong could not change the outcome.

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 declined to reach the second prong because failure on the first prong was dispositive and addressing the second prong could not change the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-17_03_B5203; source_row=29255
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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