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 10741–10750

EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other10 papers60 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner fulfilled the scholarly articles criterion, noting his authored articles in Annals of Hepatology, Journal of Vector Borne Diseases, and Indian Heart Journal.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner fulfilled the scholarly articles criterion, noting his authored articles in Annals of Hepatology, Journal of Vector Borne Diseases, and Indian Heart Journal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-17_01_B2203; source_row=28672
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other10 papers60 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on appeal or offer additional arguments, so AAO considered the issue abandoned.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on appeal or offer additional arguments, so AAO considered the issue abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-17_01_B2203; source_row=28669
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 while the endeavor has substantial merit, the record does not establish national importance because the Petitioner's clinical work would be limited to specific patients and workplaces rather than having broader implications for healthcare nationally; the business plan targets a narrow population; insufficient detail was provided about expanding clinics, facilitating practitioners, or achieving cost savings; a…

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AAO found that while the endeavor has substantial merit, the record does not establish national importance because the Petitioner's clinical work would be limited to specific patients and workplaces rather than having broader implications for healthcare nationally; the business plan targets a narrow population; insufficient detail was provided about expanding clinics, facilitating practitioners, or achieving cost savings; and letters of recommendation were overly general or unsubstantiated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-16_01_B5203; source_row=28661
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The evidence did not show IBEW's membership is comprised of individuals holding a U.S. baccalaureate or foreign equivalent, or that it otherwise qualifies as a professional association under the criterion.

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The evidence did not show IBEW's membership is comprised of individuals holding a U.S. baccalaureate or foreign equivalent, or that it otherwise qualifies as a professional association under the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-16_02_B5203; source_row=28667
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner compared his salary to non-journeyman or general powerline technician positions rather than to journeyman power linemen in his geographic area, and additional appeal evidence was not considered because it was not submitted before the Director.

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Petitioner compared his salary to non-journeyman or general powerline technician positions rather than to journeyman power linemen in his geographic area, and additional appeal evidence was not considered because it was not submitted before the Director.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-16_02_B5203; source_row=28666
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not satisfy the three-criterion threshold even if this one were met.

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not satisfy the three-criterion threshold even if this one were met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-16_02_B5203; source_row=28668
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license to practice or certification (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO held the regulation only requires a license or certification, not evidence that the profession requires one, and the Journeyman Certificate satisfies the plain language. Significance is reserved for a final merits determination.

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AAO held the regulation only requires a license or certification, not evidence that the profession requires one, and the Journeyman Certificate satisfies the plain language. Significance is reserved for a final merits determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-16_02_B5203; source_row=28665
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not establish that the documentation constitutes 'official academic record[s]' or that the issuing entities qualify as a college, university, school, or other institution of learning under the criterion.

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AAO found the Petitioner did not establish that the documentation constitutes 'official academic record[s]' or that the issuing entities qualify as a college, university, school, or other institution of learning under the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-16_02_B5203; source_row=28664
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

AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that the endeavor lacked substantial merit, concluding that work as an entrepreneur in real estate development, interior design, and remodeling does have substantial merit.…

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AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that the endeavor lacked substantial merit, concluding that work as an entrepreneur in real estate development, interior design, and remodeling does have substantial merit. However, AAO agreed the endeavor did not have national importance because it would not extend beyond the Petitioner's company, business partnerships, and clientele to impact her field more broadly, and she failed to demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-15_09_B5203; source_row=28644
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the national importance requirement was not met, withdrawing the Director's inconsistent qualified statement. AAO also found the proposed endeavor materially changed after filing, and the Petitioner failed to address the Director's error on national importance on appeal.

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AAO agreed the national importance requirement was not met, withdrawing the Director's inconsistent qualified statement. AAO also found the proposed endeavor materially changed after filing, and the Petitioner failed to address the Director's error on national importance on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-09-15_02_B5203; source_row=28627
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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