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 10571–10580

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on prong three as unnecessary given the failure on prong one.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved judgment on prong three as unnecessary given the failure on prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-08_02_B5203; source_row=28898
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 reserved judgment on prong two, having found that the Petitioner failed on prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.

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 reserved judgment on prong two, having found that the Petitioner failed on prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-08_02_B5203; source_row=28897
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 new evidence did not identify the specific research projects the Petitioner plans to undertake in the United States or demonstrate that his teaching activities have broader national implications beyond the students at his university. The GSA invitation letter did not identify specific research or teaching projects, and the teaching-related documents showed only university-level impact.…

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The new evidence did not identify the specific research projects the Petitioner plans to undertake in the United States or demonstrate that his teaching activities have broader national implications beyond the students at his university. The GSA invitation letter did not identify specific research or teaching projects, and the teaching-related documents showed only university-level impact. The Petitioner still failed to clarify which of his many proposed research topics he would pursue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-08_02_B5203; source_row=28896
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong for consideration on remand, instructing the Director to analyze all three Dhanasar prongs if the proposed endeavor is sufficiently established.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved this prong for consideration on remand, instructing the Director to analyze all three Dhanasar prongs if the proposed endeavor is sufficiently established.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-07_01_B5203; source_row=28895
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO noted the Director failed to address this prong and remanded for the Director to make the determination, noting that the proposed endeavor must be sufficiently and consistently established before Dhanasar prong 1 can be analyzed.

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 noted the Director failed to address this prong and remanded for the Director to make the determination, noting that the proposed endeavor must be sufficiently and consistently established before Dhanasar prong 1 can be analyzed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-07_01_B5203; source_row=28893
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong for the Director on remand, noting concerns about whether the Petitioner has established the nature of his involvement in proposed research projects, such as for whom research is performed and sources of funding.

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 reserved this prong for the Director on remand, noting concerns about whether the Petitioner has established the nature of his involvement in proposed research projects, such as for whom research is performed and sources of funding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-07_01_B5203; source_row=28894
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The evaluations were inconsistent and contradictory (differing on whether the degree was in geophysics or geophysical engineering, and whether earned in four, five, or seven years), transcripts were never submitted despite an RFE, and USCIS cannot independently verify the evaluators' conclusions. The AAO withdrew the Director's finding.

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The evaluations were inconsistent and contradictory (differing on whether the degree was in geophysics or geophysical engineering, and whether earned in four, five, or seven years), transcripts were never submitted despite an RFE, and USCIS cannot independently verify the evaluators' conclusions. The AAO withdrew the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-06_03_B5203; source_row=28886
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the record was inconsistent and insufficient on her education; post-filing activities (2019 conference presentation and 2020 peer review) could not establish eligibility at the time of filing; it was unclear whether she was currently employed; and there was insufficient evidence of clients, income, or a clear plan for carrying out the endeavor.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the record was inconsistent and insufficient on her education; post-filing activities (2019 conference presentation and 2020 peer review) could not establish eligibility at the time of filing; it was unclear whether she was currently employed; and there was insufficient evidence of clients, income, or a clear plan for carrying out the endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-06_03_B5203; source_row=28888
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 AAO agreed that the primary benefits of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor accrue to specific companies and clients rather than to the nation broadly. The Petitioner conflated the importance of the oil and gas industry generally with the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor.…

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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The AAO agreed that the primary benefits of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor accrue to specific companies and clients rather than to the nation broadly. The Petitioner conflated the importance of the oil and gas industry generally with the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor. The record did not show novel methodologies, broader field impact, or a direct link between her work and national-level economic or energy impacts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-06_03_B5203; source_row=28887
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural EngineeringEngineer

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner had not identified a specific, consistent proposed endeavor, having shifted focus from engine analysis to broad CAE and structural analysis methods across multiple applications. Because no specific endeavor was identified, its national importance could not be assessed.

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, consistent proposed endeavor, having shifted focus from engine analysis to broad CAE and structural analysis methods across multiple applications. Because no specific endeavor was identified, its national importance could not be assessed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-12-06_01_B5203; source_row=28880
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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