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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 10501–10510

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

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO reversed the Director, finding that the uncertified translations of the certificates failed to meet 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3) requirements, and that no corroborating evidence explained her responsibilities as a jury member or confirmed that her role involved judging work in the same or allied field.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO reversed the Director, finding that the uncertified translations of the certificates failed to meet 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3) requirements, and that no corroborating evidence explained her responsibilities as a jury member or confirmed that her role involved judging work in the same or allied field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-01-19_01_B2203; source_row=28982
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Evidence of a salary/remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability — 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds the new evidence does not show the Petitioner's pay results from his exceptional ability rather than the employer's standardized pay scale tied to grade and time in grade.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO finds the new evidence does not show the Petitioner's pay results from his exceptional ability rather than the employer's standardized pay scale tied to grade and time in grade.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-01-19_01_B5203; source_row=28985
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not pursue this criterion on appeal and did not contest the Director's decision regarding it, so the AAO deemed the issue waived.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner did not pursue this criterion on appeal and did not contest the Director's decision regarding it, so the AAO deemed the issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-01-19_01_B2203; source_row=28981
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

The AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidence requirement, rendering this analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidence requirement, rendering this analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-01-19_01_B2203; source_row=28984
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's teaching activities would not impact the field more broadly beyond the students at the institutions where he teaches, his research projects lacked sufficient evidence of broader national implications, and his media interview about COP26 did not show involvement beyond public communication.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the Petitioner's teaching activities would not impact the field more broadly beyond the students at the institutions where he teaches, his research projects lacked sufficient evidence of broader national implications, and his media interview about COP26 did not show involvement beyond public communication. The relevant inquiry is the specific proposed endeavor's broader implications, not the importance of the field generally.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-17_03_B5203; source_row=30774
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 declined to address the second prong because the Petitioner had not established eligibility under the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to address the second prong because the Petitioner had not established eligibility under the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-17_03_B5203; source_row=30775
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO declined to address the third prong because the Petitioner had not established eligibility under the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to address the third prong because the Petitioner had not established eligibility under the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-17_03_B5203; source_row=30776
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that the endeavor lacked substantial merit, but independently concluded the endeavor lacked national importance. The Petitioner's work benefits his employer and its clients, but there is insufficient evidence that its prospective impact extends broadly to the oil and gas industry or 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.

View full reasoning +
AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that the endeavor lacked substantial merit, but independently concluded the endeavor lacked national importance. The Petitioner's work benefits his employer and its clients, but there is insufficient evidence that its prospective impact extends broadly to the oil and gas industry or national economy. Letters from colleagues praise his individual contributions to his employer's contracts, but do not demonstrate broader economic or field-wide impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-01-13_01_B5203; source_row=28976
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

AAO declined to reach the second prong independently, instead adopting and affirming the Director's decision on this issue per Matter of Burbano.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to reach the second prong independently, instead adopting and affirming the Director's decision on this issue per Matter of Burbano.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-01-13_01_B5203; source_row=28977
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 job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong independently, instead adopting and affirming the Director's decision on this issue per Matter of Burbano.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to reach the third prong independently, instead adopting and affirming the Director's decision on this issue per Matter of Burbano.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-01-13_01_B5203; source_row=28978
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment