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 11911200

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 proposed endeavor had substantial merit, the Petitioner did not establish national importance. The evidence did not sufficiently explain the basis for financial projections or employee growth, and the record did not show broader impact on the logistics management industry.

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AAO found that while the proposed endeavor had substantial merit, the Petitioner did not establish national importance. The evidence did not sufficiently explain the basis for financial projections or employee growth, and the record did not show broader impact on the logistics management industry.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-14_01_B5203; source_row=43434
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

The industry reports discussed the general field rather than the specific impact of the Petitioner's consulting services. The expert letter made broad economic claims without specific examples or projected impacts attributable to the Petitioner's company. The business plan's financial and staffing projections lacked evidentiary support and did not demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S.…

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Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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The industry reports discussed the general field rather than the specific impact of the Petitioner's consulting services. The expert letter made broad economic claims without specific examples or projected impacts attributable to the Petitioner's company. The business plan's financial and staffing projections lacked evidentiary support and did not demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or produce nationally important economic benefits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-14_06_B5203; source_row=43450
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on the second prong as the first prong was dispositive. AAO noted, however, that it is unclear whether the Petitioner's credentials and experience as a business lawyer in Brazil make her well-positioned to serve as CEO of a mortgage consulting company.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved judgment on the second prong as the first prong was dispositive. AAO noted, however, that it is unclear whether the Petitioner's credentials and experience as a business lawyer in Brazil make her well-positioned to serve as CEO of a mortgage consulting company.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-14_06_B5203; source_row=43451
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer and labor certification

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on the third prong as the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved judgment on the third prong as the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-14_06_B5203; source_row=43452
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the second prong because the failure to meet the first prong is dispositive of the appeal.

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 the second prong because the failure to meet the first prong is dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-14_03_B5203; source_row=43441
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong because the failure to meet the first prong is 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 declined to reach the third prong because the failure to meet the first prong is dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-14_03_B5203; source_row=43442
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

What the decision said

AAO observed the Petitioner holds a two-year Brazilian master's degree but the OOH states physical therapists must have a doctor of physical therapy degree, raising doubt about EB-2 eligibility. AAO reserved the issue rather than deciding it because the NIW first prong failure is already dispositive.

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AAO observed the Petitioner holds a two-year Brazilian master's degree but the OOH states physical therapists must have a doctor of physical therapy degree, raising doubt about EB-2 eligibility. AAO reserved the issue rather than deciding it because the NIW first prong failure is already dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-14_04_B5203; source_row=43446
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 found the petitioner's claims unsupported by evidence and that the company's projected employment, wages, and revenue were not significant relative to the broader manufacturing industry. The expert letter did not show how the services were unique or had national/global implications, and merely working in areas of national importance is insufficient.

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's claims unsupported by evidence and that the company's projected employment, wages, and revenue were not significant relative to the broader manufacturing industry. The expert letter did not show how the services were unique or had national/global implications, and merely working in areas of national importance is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-13_04_B5203; source_row=43431
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the evidence confirms the Petitioner's team membership, the record does not establish that the team requires outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. The coach's letter asserts the membership standard but provides no supporting explanation or detail about the qualifying criteria or the experts involved.

Why this is useful

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

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Although the evidence confirms the Petitioner's team membership, the record does not establish that the team requires outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. The coach's letter asserts the membership standard but provides no supporting explanation or detail about the qualifying criteria or the experts involved.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=43412
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the evidence shows the Petitioner placed in competitions, it does not establish the national or international significance of the events or that awards were given for excellence in the field. The FIS documents lack contextual detail, and the letters provide only broad assertions without supporting explanation.

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

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While the evidence shows the Petitioner placed in competitions, it does not establish the national or international significance of the events or that awards were given for excellence in the field. The FIS documents lack contextual detail, and the letters provide only broad assertions without supporting explanation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=43411
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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