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 · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Douban article is about a screenwriter and his UCLA class, with only a six-sentence anecdote about the Petitioner that does not constitute substantial discussion of him and his work. Additionally, Douban is a platform where users self-publish content akin to blogs or social media, not a professional or major trade publication.

Why this is useful

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

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The Douban article is about a screenwriter and his UCLA class, with only a six-sentence anecdote about the Petitioner that does not constitute substantial discussion of him and his work. Additionally, Douban is a platform where users self-publish content akin to blogs or social media, not a professional or major trade publication.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_02_B2203; source_row=43702
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Petitioner showed his film was original in subject matter and filming conditions, he did not establish major significance to the field. The expert letters praised his work but did not explain how his films are of major significance to filmmaking. The record also lacks corroborating documentation showing broader impact, influence, or significance.

Why this is useful

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

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While the Petitioner showed his film was original in subject matter and filming conditions, he did not establish major significance to the field. The expert letters praised his work but did not explain how his films are of major significance to filmmaking. The record also lacks corroborating documentation showing broader impact, influence, or significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_02_B2203; source_row=43703
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner had not identified a specific and consistent proposed endeavor and that the newly submitted materials—general industry articles on business intelligence, data analytics, and sustainability—did not demonstrate the national importance of the proposed work or show broader implications for societal welfare, job creation, revenue, wages, or the national economy.

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 found the Petitioner had not identified a specific and consistent proposed endeavor and that the newly submitted materials—general industry articles on business intelligence, data analytics, and sustainability—did not demonstrate the national importance of the proposed work or show broader implications for societal welfare, job creation, revenue, wages, or the national economy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_05_B5203; source_row=43728
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

other

Lawful Source and Path of Funds

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner failed to trace the funds to a lawful source, did not reconcile inconsistencies between Spanish and English tax records, did not explain commingled deposits, and did not establish his ownership of or income from the entity that supplied the funds.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed the Petitioner failed to trace the funds to a lawful source, did not reconcile inconsistencies between Spanish and English tax records, did not explain commingled deposits, and did not establish his ownership of or income from the entity that supplied the funds.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_02_B5203; source_row=43705
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

other

Required Amount of Petitioner's Own Capital Invested

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner did not establish legal ownership of the invested capital, citing the absence of corporate tax records or shareholder information tying him to the source entity, and noting that he did not contest this ground on appeal.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed the Petitioner did not establish legal ownership of the invested capital, citing the absence of corporate tax records or shareholder information tying him to the source entity, and noting that he did not contest this ground on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_02_B5203; source_row=43706
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

Because the failure of the first prong was dispositive, the AAO expressly reserved the second prong without reaching it.

Why this is useful

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

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Because the failure of the first prong was dispositive, the AAO expressly reserved the second prong without reaching it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_01_B5203; source_row=43698
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

Because the failure of the first prong was dispositive, the AAO expressly reserved the third prong without reaching it.

Why this is useful

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

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Because the failure of the first prong was dispositive, the AAO expressly reserved the third prong without reaching it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_01_B5203; source_row=43699
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

AAO reserved this criterion because even if credited, the Petitioner still could not meet the three-criteria threshold, making discussion unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved this criterion because even if credited, the Petitioner still could not meet the three-criteria threshold, making discussion unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_03_B2203; source_row=43709
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

What the decision said

AAO reserved this criterion because even crediting it as met, the Petitioner could still not reach the required three criteria, making further discussion unnecessary.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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AAO reserved this criterion because even crediting it as met, the Petitioner could still not reach the required three criteria, making further discussion unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_03_B2203; source_row=43708
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO reserved its opinion on the third Dhanasar 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.

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved its opinion on the third Dhanasar prong because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-27_05_B5203; source_row=43730
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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