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 11121–11130

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did adequately identify a proposed endeavor but failed to show national importance. The evidence showed the field of physical therapy has substantial merit, but the Petitioner did not demonstrate that her specific proposed work would have broader implications beyond her individual patients or provide substantial positive economic effects at the regional or national level.

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AAO found the Petitioner did adequately identify a proposed endeavor but failed to show national importance. The evidence showed the field of physical therapy has substantial merit, but the Petitioner did not demonstrate that her specific proposed work would have broader implications beyond her individual patients or provide substantial positive economic effects at the regional or national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-22_03_B5203; source_row=28177
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Schedule A initial evidence (PWD and notice of filing)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to submit evidence meeting 20 C.F.R. § 656.15(b) and treated the issue as waived on appeal because the Petitioner did not address it.

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to submit evidence meeting 20 C.F.R. § 656.15(b) and treated the issue as waived on appeal because the Petitioner did not address it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-22_01_B5203; source_row=28173
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong three because failure to meet prong one is dispositive.

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 explicitly declined to reach prong three because failure to meet prong one is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-22_03_B5203; source_row=28179
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong two because failure to meet prong one is dispositive.

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 reach prong two because failure to meet prong one is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-22_03_B5203; source_row=28178
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic EngineeringEngineerMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding on substantial merit, finding that the potential applications across multiple industries suggest substantial merit. However, AAO agreed that national importance was not established because the Petitioner failed to show a sufficiently direct connection between her research and broader national-level impact, relying instead on potential broader applications as a substitute for demonstrated…

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding on substantial merit, finding that the potential applications across multiple industries suggest substantial merit. However, AAO agreed that national importance was not established because the Petitioner failed to show a sufficiently direct connection between her research and broader national-level impact, relying instead on potential broader applications as a substitute for demonstrated impact, and failing to show how benefits would rise above those to her employer and its customers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-21_01_B5203; source_row=28161
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record showing degree/diploma in area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not provide official academic records for any institution he claimed to attend. A certificate labeled 'diploma' was issued by a crafts fair organization and is not an official academic record.

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The Petitioner did not provide official academic records for any institution he claimed to attend. A certificate labeled 'diploma' was issued by a crafts fair organization and is not an official academic record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-21_02_B5203; source_row=28164
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 judgment on this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the underlying EB-2 classification, making the NIW analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved judgment on this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the underlying EB-2 classification, making the NIW analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-21_02_B5203; source_row=28170
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted no evidence of salary or remuneration for services.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner submitted no evidence of salary or remuneration for services.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-21_02_B5203; source_row=28167
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

letters from employers showing at least ten years of full-time experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not provide any letters from current or former employers evidencing at least ten years of full-time experience in his occupation.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not provide any letters from current or former employers evidencing at least ten years of full-time experience in his occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-21_02_B5203; source_row=28165
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found sufficient evidence of membership in professional associations, including the 2018 letter from the CEO of a folk artists association confirming membership since 2004 and recommendation letters from other artists.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO found sufficient evidence of membership in professional associations, including the 2018 letter from the CEO of a folk artists association confirming membership since 2004 and recommendation letters from other artists.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-07-21_02_B5203; source_row=28168
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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