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 11681–11690

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary's possession of minimum qualifying experience for the offered position

Why AAO was not persuaded

The first NOIR established that submitted employer letters covered only ~4 years 1 month of experience (less than the required 5 years), and the letter from the Indian college failed to describe the Beneficiary's duties. The second NOIR identified unresolved inconsistencies in the Beneficiary's start and end dates at the U.S. consulting company, undermining the claimed experience.…

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The first NOIR established that submitted employer letters covered only ~4 years 1 month of experience (less than the required 5 years), and the letter from the Indian college failed to describe the Beneficiary's duties. The second NOIR identified unresolved inconsistencies in the Beneficiary's start and end dates at the U.S. consulting company, undermining the claimed experience. Together, the documented experience fell short of five years.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-22_01_B5203; source_row=27468
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Whether section 204(j) portability bars revocation under section 205

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that portability under section 204(j) does not bar revocation because: (1) the provision only keeps a petition valid 'with respect to a new job,' not forevermore; (2) a petition must have been valid from the start to 'remain' valid, and this petition was never properly approved; and (3) Congress did not intend portability to shield erroneously approved petitions from revocation.

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AAO held that portability under section 204(j) does not bar revocation because: (1) the provision only keeps a petition valid 'with respect to a new job,' not forevermore; (2) a petition must have been valid from the start to 'remain' valid, and this petition was never properly approved; and (3) Congress did not intend portability to shield erroneously approved petitions from revocation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-22_01_B5203; source_row=27469
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 explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because the failure of the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because the failure of the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-22_02_B5203; source_row=27471
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 job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because the failure of the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

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 reserved judgment on the third prong because the failure of the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-22_02_B5203; source_row=27472
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the third prong because the inconsistent endeavor description prevented a finding under prongs 1 and 2.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not reach the third prong because the inconsistent endeavor description prevented a finding under prongs 1 and 2.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-22_03_B5203; source_row=27475
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's first-prong finding because the Petitioner's proposed endeavor was inconsistent between the initial filing and the RFE response, constituting an impermissible material change.

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AAO withdrew the Director's first-prong finding because the Petitioner's proposed endeavor was inconsistent between the initial filing and the RFE response, constituting an impermissible material change.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-22_03_B5203; source_row=27473
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

Leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that this criterion was met. The petitioner's teaching roles were not shown to be leading or critical, his professional society roles (including international coordinator) were not substantiated with evidence that the organizations have distinguished reputations, and an organization's reputation cannot be established through its own promotional materials or self-description.

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The AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that this criterion was met. The petitioner's teaching roles were not shown to be leading or critical, his professional society roles (including international coordinator) were not substantiated with evidence that the organizations have distinguished reputations, and an organization's reputation cannot be established through its own promotional materials or self-description.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-21_02_B2203; source_row=27460
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

Two of the named entities are registration boards rather than associations. For the remaining four, the petitioner either submitted no information about membership requirements (BIE, NSE) or did not demonstrate that the requirements (academic degrees, experience, licensure) constitute outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts (ASCE, SAICE).

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Two of the named entities are registration boards rather than associations. For the remaining four, the petitioner either submitted no information about membership requirements (BIE, NSE) or did not demonstrate that the requirements (academic degrees, experience, licensure) constitute outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts (ASCE, SAICE).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-21_02_B2203; source_row=27455
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AIEngineer

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO independently weighed the totality of the evidence and concluded that the Beneficiary's publication record, recommendation letters, roles, and high salary do not collectively demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-of-field standing. AAO rejected the petitioner's claim that the Director had improperly viewed evidence in isolation.

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AAO independently weighed the totality of the evidence and concluded that the Beneficiary's publication record, recommendation letters, roles, and high salary do not collectively demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-of-field standing. AAO rejected the petitioner's claim that the Director had improperly viewed evidence in isolation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-21_03_B2203; source_row=27467
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

High remuneration for services

What the decision said

The petitioner did not dispute the Director's conclusion regarding criterion (ix) on appeal, so the AAO considered this claim waived.

Why this is useful

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The petitioner did not dispute the Director's conclusion regarding criterion (ix) on appeal, so the AAO considered this claim waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-04-21_02_B2203; source_row=27461
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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