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 10611–10620

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner paid only $52,000 to the Beneficiary in 2018, and its 2018 net income of $12,291 with no net current assets was insufficient to cover the $73,000 shortfall. The Petitioner's alternative wage arguments had no legal basis, and totality-of-circumstances review was insufficient given only two years of tax returns showing losses were in the record.

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AAO found the Petitioner paid only $52,000 to the Beneficiary in 2018, and its 2018 net income of $12,291 with no net current assets was insufficient to cover the $73,000 shortfall. The Petitioner's alternative wage arguments had no legal basis, and totality-of-circumstances review was insufficient given only two years of tax returns showing losses were in the record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-23_01_B5203; source_row=28851
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

bona fide / realistic job offer

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that while future employment is permissible, the Petitioner must show the job offer was realistic as of the priority date. Without evidence of scheduled events where the Beneficiary might perform, no actual job opportunity was established.

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AAO agreed with the Director that while future employment is permissible, the Petitioner must show the job offer was realistic as of the priority date. Without evidence of scheduled events where the Beneficiary might perform, no actual job opportunity was established.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-23_01_B5203; source_row=28849
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The credential evaluator failed to demonstrate specific knowledge of the Spanish education system and provided only templated, generalized conclusions without sufficient analysis. The Petitioner also did not submit transcripts for certificate programs.…

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The credential evaluator failed to demonstrate specific knowledge of the Spanish education system and provided only templated, generalized conclusions without sufficient analysis. The Petitioner also did not submit transcripts for certificate programs. Even granting a bachelor's equivalent, the employer letter showed only job titles without describing duties or progressive responsibilities, so five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience could not be established.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-19_01_B5203; source_row=28844
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's industry articles did not address his specific endeavor, his recommendation letters were conclusory and lacked knowledge of the proposed endeavor, and his claimed ripple effects were insufficiently explained or documented.…

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 that the Petitioner's industry articles did not address his specific endeavor, his recommendation letters were conclusory and lacked knowledge of the proposed endeavor, and his claimed ripple effects were insufficiently explained or documented. His Florida business showed minimal revenue and was administratively dissolved, and his role as CEO of the foreign data center company began after petition filing and lacks U.S. operating status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-19_01_B5203; source_row=28845
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reopen Requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner presented no new facts and submitted no documentary evidence in support of the motion to reopen, failing the basic requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2).

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The Petitioner presented no new facts and submitted no documentary evidence in support of the motion to reopen, failing the basic requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-17_01_B2203; source_row=28843
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

AAO agreed that the reference letters were largely conclusory and did not explain how the Petitioner's work had been widely implemented or had made a demonstrable impact in the field. Mere assertions that work has gained national and international recognition are insufficient to establish major significance.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed that the reference letters were largely conclusory and did not explain how the Petitioner's work had been widely implemented or had made a demonstrable impact in the field. Mere assertions that work has gained national and international recognition are insufficient to establish major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-12_01_B2203; source_row=28839
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that while the letters confirmed receipt of various awards and honors, they did not establish that the awards were nationally or internationally recognized. Recognition must be evidenced through national or international media coverage or similar objective means, not merely through conclusory assertions by associated letter writers.

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AAO agreed that while the letters confirmed receipt of various awards and honors, they did not establish that the awards were nationally or internationally recognized. Recognition must be evidenced through national or international media coverage or similar objective means, not merely through conclusory assertions by associated letter writers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-12_01_B2203; source_row=28836
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate that any of the claimed organizations require outstanding achievements for membership. The letters from association members were not supported by independent documentation, and the vague membership criteria described did not indicate they required outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate that any of the claimed organizations require outstanding achievements for membership. The letters from association members were not supported by independent documentation, and the vague membership criteria described did not indicate they required outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-12_01_B2203; source_row=28837
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

AAO stated it need not provide a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but nevertheless noted in the aggregate the record does not support the required acclaim.

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AAO stated it need not provide a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but nevertheless noted in the aggregate the record does not support the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-12_01_B2203; source_row=28841
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial success in the performing arts

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not pursue this claim on appeal, so AAO deemed it waived and did not address it.

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The Petitioner did not pursue this claim on appeal, so AAO deemed it waived and did not address it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-11-12_01_B2203; source_row=28840
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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