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

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EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed with the Director's field characterization, finding some articles substantially discussed her work and that journalism relates to her field. However, the Petitioner failed to demonstrate that any publications constitute professional or major trade publications, or other major media, as independent evidence of circulation or audience was lacking.

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AAO disagreed with the Director's field characterization, finding some articles substantially discussed her work and that journalism relates to her field. However, the Petitioner failed to demonstrate that any publications constitute professional or major trade publications, or other major media, as independent evidence of circulation or audience was lacking.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_02_B2203; source_row=43619
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination – sustained national or international acclaim at top of field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's awards are largely from earlier in his career, with recent competition participation unverified and at lower-level regional events; his published material is a single 2005 interview; his association memberships and judging activity are outdated; and his coaching record does not demonstrate he has reached the top of that profession.…

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AAO found that the Petitioner's awards are largely from earlier in his career, with recent competition participation unverified and at lower-level regional events; his published material is a single 2005 interview; his association memberships and judging activity are outdated; and his coaching record does not demonstrate he has reached the top of that profession. The totality of evidence does not show sustained acclaim at the top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_01_B2203; source_row=43616
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held the news agency website is not an artistic exhibition or showcase, and the journalism awards event was educational rather than artistic in nature. AAO further found the Petitioner did not show his report actually played at the ceremony.

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AAO held the news agency website is not an artistic exhibition or showcase, and the journalism awards event was educational rather than artistic in nature. AAO further found the Petitioner did not show his report actually played at the ceremony.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_03_B2203; source_row=43629
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the news agency role was that of one of many regional video contributors, not leading or critical, and that the LLC role evidence was insufficient to show a leading/critical role and the company's distinguished reputation.

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AAO found the news agency role was that of one of many regional video contributors, not leading or critical, and that the LLC role evidence was insufficient to show a leading/critical role and the company's distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_03_B2203; source_row=43630
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not address or contest the Director's findings on national importance on appeal, so the AAO deemed this prong waived. The waiver is dispositive of the entire appeal.

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 Petitioner did not address or contest the Director's findings on national importance on appeal, so the AAO deemed this prong waived. The waiver is dispositive of the entire appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_05_B5203; source_row=43637
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letters described the Petitioner's competence and expertise but did not explain how her work constituted recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field. The letters were not accompanied by corroborative evidence of the impact or broader recognition of her work beyond her customers.

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The recommendation letters described the Petitioner's competence and expertise but did not explain how her work constituted recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field. The letters were not accompanied by corroborative evidence of the impact or broader recognition of her work beyond her customers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_14_B5203; source_row=43668
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found and AAO concurred that the Petitioner's bachelor's degree in history and technical degree in interior design satisfy criterion A.

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The Director found and AAO concurred that the Petitioner's bachelor's degree in history and technical degree in interior design satisfy criterion A.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_14_B5203; source_row=43665
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years full-time experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's own letter as owner of her company did not state whether she worked on a full-time basis, and her statement referencing her submitted evidence is insufficient without corroborating probative evidence. The record does not cumulatively demonstrate at least ten years of full-time experience.

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The Petitioner's own letter as owner of her company did not state whether she worked on a full-time basis, and her statement referencing her submitted evidence is insufficient without corroborating probative evidence. The record does not cumulatively demonstrate at least ten years of full-time experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_14_B5203; source_row=43666
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the second prong because the petition was already denied on the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach the second prong because the petition was already denied on the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_13_B5203; source_row=43663
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because the petition was already denied on the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach the third prong because the petition was already denied on the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-25_13_B5203; source_row=43664
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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