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 10551–10560

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Foreign degree equivalency to U.S. baccalaureate

Why AAO was not persuaded

The degree copy and translation did not establish equivalency to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The opinion letters cited on appeal did not qualify as independent credentials evaluations or official school evaluations, and one letter explicitly disclaimed any institutional authority.

Why this is useful

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The degree copy and translation did not establish equivalency to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The opinion letters cited on appeal did not qualify as independent credentials evaluations or official school evaluations, and one letter explicitly disclaimed any institutional authority.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-15_02_B5203; source_row=28923
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

At least three of six exceptional ability criteria

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not argue this issue on appeal, and the record did not support satisfaction of any of the exceptional ability criteria.

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The Petitioner did not argue this issue on appeal, and the record did not support satisfaction of any of the exceptional ability criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-15_02_B5203; source_row=28925
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the proposed endeavor of oil and gas consulting benefits the Petitioner's employer and clients but fails to establish broader national implications such as significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects. The letters of recommendation discuss prior accomplishments rather than the prospective endeavor's national importance.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the proposed endeavor of oil and gas consulting benefits the Petitioner's employer and clients but fails to establish broader national implications such as significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects. The letters of recommendation discuss prior accomplishments rather than the prospective endeavor's national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-15_01_B5203; source_row=28920
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

At least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letter, written by the majority partner of the Petitioner's own company, lacked specifics on dates, hours, full-time versus part-time status, and progressiveness of experience. The referenced professor's opinion letter was not a qualifying credentials evaluation and thus did not cure these deficiencies.

Why this is useful

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The employer letter, written by the majority partner of the Petitioner's own company, lacked specifics on dates, hours, full-time versus part-time status, and progressiveness of experience. The referenced professor's opinion letter was not a qualifying credentials evaluation and thus did not cure these deficiencies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-15_02_B5203; source_row=28924
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the underlying EB-2 classification, rendering the national interest waiver analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the underlying EB-2 classification, rendering the national interest waiver analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-15_02_B5203; source_row=28926
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

While the work has substantial merit, the prospective impact does not extend beyond Petitioner's future employers and his company's clientele, and Petitioner did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or to produce substantial positive economic effects in Florida or nationally.

Why this is useful

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While the work has substantial merit, the prospective impact does not extend beyond Petitioner's future employers and his company's clientele, and Petitioner did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or to produce substantial positive economic effects in Florida or nationally.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-14_01_B5203; source_row=28917
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

The newly submitted evidence either described post-filing events, constituted speculative future activities, or was not truly new. Even if considered, none of the activities — speaking engagements, cultural center consulting, or weekend teaching — demonstrated broader implications sufficient to rise to the level of national importance under Dhanasar prong 1.

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The newly submitted evidence either described post-filing events, constituted speculative future activities, or was not truly new. Even if considered, none of the activities — speaking engagements, cultural center consulting, or weekend teaching — demonstrated broader implications sufficient to rise to the level of national importance under Dhanasar prong 1.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-13_01_B5203; source_row=28914
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 address the second prong because prong 1 was not met, consistent with the prior appeal decision.

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 address the second prong because prong 1 was not met, consistent with the prior appeal decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-13_01_B5203; source_row=28915
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

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to address the third prong because prong 1 was not met, consistent with the prior appeal decision.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly declined to address the third prong because prong 1 was not met, consistent with the prior appeal decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-13_01_B5203; source_row=28916
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed that while the record supports substantial merit, the Petitioner did not show that his coaching work would have prospective impact at a level commensurate with national importance—he did not demonstrate that his involvement would impact the martial arts or U.S. cultural interests broadly, nor that his endeavor had significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects.

Why this is useful

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The AAO agreed that while the record supports substantial merit, the Petitioner did not show that his coaching work would have prospective impact at a level commensurate with national importance—he did not demonstrate that his involvement would impact the martial arts or U.S. cultural interests broadly, nor that his endeavor had significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-10_01_B5203; source_row=28911
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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