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 10321–10330

EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

AAO declined to evaluate this criterion due to the Director's failure to analyze the evidence, and remanded for the Director to focus analysis on the two awards claimed in the RFE response.

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AAO declined to evaluate this criterion due to the Director's failure to analyze the evidence, and remanded for the Director to focus analysis on the two awards claimed in the RFE response.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-15_02_B2203; source_row=29230
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not respond to the Director's RFE or appeal with arguments regarding this criterion, and AAO deemed the claim abandoned.

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The Petitioner did not respond to the Director's RFE or appeal with arguments regarding this criterion, and AAO deemed the claim abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-15_02_B2203; source_row=29231
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field

What the decision said

AAO noted that the Director's discussion in the 'Conclusion' section appeared to relate to this criterion but was inadequate because it did not address specific evidence; AAO remanded for a proper analysis.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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AAO noted that the Director's discussion in the 'Conclusion' section appeared to relate to this criterion but was inadequate because it did not address specific evidence; AAO remanded for a proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-15_02_B2203; source_row=29233
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

substantial prospective benefit to the United States

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director's analysis flawed because it sought evidence already provided and ignored a relevant reference letter. Because the term 'substantially benefit' is interpreted broadly and the Petitioner provided a detailed plan and supporting evidence, AAO found this requirement met.

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AAO found the Director's analysis flawed because it sought evidence already provided and ignored a relevant reference letter. Because the term 'substantially benefit' is interpreted broadly and the Petitioner provided a detailed plan and supporting evidence, AAO found this requirement met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-15_02_B2203; source_row=29237
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO does not reach prong one because the threshold EB-2 issue and the question of what the proposed endeavor actually is must first be resolved on remand.

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AAO does not reach prong one because the threshold EB-2 issue and the question of what the proposed endeavor actually is must first be resolved on remand.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-14_01_B5203; source_row=29220
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO does not reach prong two pending remand resolution of the proposed endeavor's scope and the threshold EB-2 qualification.

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AAO does not reach prong two pending remand resolution of the proposed endeavor's scope and the threshold EB-2 qualification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-14_01_B5203; source_row=29221
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO does not reach prong three pending remand.

Why this is useful

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AAO does not reach prong three pending remand.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-14_01_B5203; source_row=29222
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's threshold finding, identifying inconsistencies the Petitioner must resolve: the three-year length of the Licenciado program conflicts with EDGE's equivalency, and the evaluator failed to review employment letters as required.

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AAO withdrew the Director's threshold finding, identifying inconsistencies the Petitioner must resolve: the three-year length of the Licenciado program conflicts with EDGE's equivalency, and the evaluator failed to review employment letters as required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-14_01_B5203; source_row=29219
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Occupation meets definition of a profession

Why AAO was not persuaded

Entrepreneurs are not listed in section 101(a)(32) of the Act among occupations qualifying as professions, and the Petitioner did not establish that a U.S. baccalaureate degree is the minimum entry requirement for his occupation. Merely identifying a general field is insufficient.

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Entrepreneurs are not listed in section 101(a)(32) of the Act among occupations qualifying as professions, and the Petitioner did not establish that a U.S. baccalaureate degree is the minimum entry requirement for his occupation. Merely identifying a general field is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-13_01_B5203; source_row=29209
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Official academic record showing degree relating to area of exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion based on his submitted transcript and diploma.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion based on his submitted transcript and diploma.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-03-13_01_B5203; source_row=29211
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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