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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 11261–11270
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Computer Science / AI
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · High remuneration
Salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the salary figures inconsistent and improperly combined salary income with business profits and dividends, making a valid comparison to others similarly situated impossible.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO found the salary figures inconsistent and improperly combined salary income with business profits and dividends, making a valid comparison to others similarly situated impossible.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-06-30_02_B5203; source_row=27976 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found that an associate degree plus a postgraduate specialization certificate does not equal a baccalaureate or advanced degree. The credential evaluations were unreliable, and the regulations provide no mechanism for combining lesser credentials into an advanced degree equivalent.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO found that an associate degree plus a postgraduate specialization certificate does not equal a baccalaureate or advanced degree. The credential evaluations were unreliable, and the regulations provide no mechanism for combining lesser credentials into an advanced degree equivalent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-06-30_02_B5203; source_row=27979 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
on balance, beneficial to waive job offer and labor certification
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the Petitioner's arguments relied on generalities about his field rather than specific national benefits. The job offer letter showed one employer's urgency, not national urgency. Two employers declining to pursue labor certification does not make labor certification inherently impractical, and granting the waiver on that basis would effectively make labor certification optional.
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 found the Petitioner's arguments relied on generalities about his field rather than specific national benefits. The job offer letter showed one employer's urgency, not national urgency. Two employers declining to pursue labor certification does not make labor certification inherently impractical, and granting the waiver on that basis would effectively make labor certification optional.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-06-30_04_B5203; source_row=27988 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO found the Petitioner failed to articulate a specific proposed endeavor beyond describing past employment and intending to continue similar work. The evidence only showed benefit to the Petitioner's employers and their clients, not national importance. There is no blanket waiver for information systems managers, and the Dhanasar framework requires a specific proposed endeavor with broader national impact.
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 failed to articulate a specific proposed endeavor beyond describing past employment and intending to continue similar work. The evidence only showed benefit to the Petitioner's employers and their clients, not national importance. There is no blanket waiver for information systems managers, and the Dhanasar framework requires a specific proposed endeavor with broader national impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-06-30_04_B5203; source_row=27986 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
official academic record relating to area of exceptional ability
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the accounting degree did not relate to the claimed area of exceptional ability (information systems management), with only two of 40 courses having any demonstrable relation. The certificates were not from colleges, universities, schools, or other institutions of learning as the regulation requires, and appeared to reflect short-term product-specific training.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO found the accounting degree did not relate to the claimed area of exceptional ability (information systems management), with only two of 40 courses having any demonstrable relation. The certificates were not from colleges, universities, schools, or other institutions of learning as the regulation requires, and appeared to reflect short-term product-specific training.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-06-30_04_B5203; source_row=27989 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Medicine / Clinical
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO concluded the Petitioner had no experience or specialized training in medical research, and that his attempt to switch his proposed endeavor to clinical medicine practice was an impermissible material change after filing.
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 concluded the Petitioner had no experience or specialized training in medical research, and that his attempt to switch his proposed endeavor to clinical medicine practice was an impermissible material change after filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-06-30_03_B5203; source_row=27984 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Medicine / Clinical
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, beneficial to waive job offer/labor certification
What the decision said
AAO reserved the third prong because the second-prong failure was dispositive, but noted in a footnote that the Petitioner's reliance on physician shortage arguments was inappropriate under Dhanasar.
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 the third prong because the second-prong failure was dispositive, but noted in a footnote that the Petitioner's reliance on physician shortage arguments was inappropriate under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-06-30_03_B5203; source_row=27985 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Computer Science / AI
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · High remuneration
high salary or remuneration in relation to others
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary's salary evidence met this criterion, noting total 2019 remuneration of $818,267.92 and 2020 salary at approximately $185,000 annual rate.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary's salary evidence met this criterion, noting total 2019 remuneration of $818,267.92 and 2020 salary at approximately $185,000 annual rate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-06-30_01_B2203; source_row=27970 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c