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 12181–12190

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

willful and material misrepresentation of fact

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director failed to identify specific facts allegedly misrepresented, failed to include misrepresentation as a ground in the NOIR, and failed to conduct the required three-part analysis for willful and material misrepresentation. AAO therefore could not sustain the misrepresentation ground for revocation.

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AAO found the Director failed to identify specific facts allegedly misrepresented, failed to include misrepresentation as a ground in the NOIR, and failed to conduct the required three-part analysis for willful and material misrepresentation. AAO therefore could not sustain the misrepresentation ground for revocation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-25_01_B5203; source_row=26850
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

five years of progressively responsible experience qualifying beneficiary for proffered position

What the decision said

AAO found that the Director focused improperly on job titles rather than job duties, and that the revocation decision contained no definitive findings of fact or conclusions of law. Without a proper analysis, AAO declined to substitute its own determination.

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 the Director focused improperly on job titles rather than job duties, and that the revocation decision contained no definitive findings of fact or conclusions of law. Without a proper analysis, AAO declined to substitute its own determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-25_01_B5203; source_row=26849
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that citations alone are insufficient to show a petitioner is well positioned, and that unlike Dr. Dhanasar, the Petitioner's education was limited to a master's degree. The record did not establish that the Petitioner personally secured government funding (as opposed to his professor or co-authors), nor that his published work generated substantial positive discourse or a record of success in advancing his field.

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 found that citations alone are insufficient to show a petitioner is well positioned, and that unlike Dr. Dhanasar, the Petitioner's education was limited to a master's degree. The record did not establish that the Petitioner personally secured government funding (as opposed to his professor or co-authors), nor that his published work generated substantial positive discourse or a record of success in advancing his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-19_03_B5203; source_row=26846
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 endeavor's substantial merit is conceded, but the record lacks evidence that the prospective impact rises to national importance — it does not extend beyond her immediate audience or demonstrate substantial positive economic effects or U.S. job creation.

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 endeavor's substantial merit is conceded, but the record lacks evidence that the prospective impact rises to national importance — it does not extend beyond her immediate audience or demonstrate substantial positive economic effects or U.S. job creation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-19_02_B5203; source_row=26842
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO adopted the Director's finding that the first prong was met without additional analysis.

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 adopted the Director's finding that the first prong was met without additional analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-19_03_B5203; source_row=26845
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the second prong, making further analysis unnecessary.

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 declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the second prong, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-19_03_B5203; source_row=26847
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

membership in the professions

Why AAO was not persuaded

Pianists/musicians are not enumerated in section 101(a)(32), and the record does not establish that a baccalaureate is the minimum requirement to enter the occupation.

Why this is useful

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

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Pianists/musicians are not enumerated in section 101(a)(32), and the record does not establish that a baccalaureate is the minimum requirement to enter the occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-19_02_B5203; source_row=26841
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO noted that although not specifically addressed in the Director's decision, the record demonstrates the Petitioner meets the first prong of the Dhanasar framework.

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 noted that although not specifically addressed in the Director's decision, the record demonstrates the Petitioner meets the first prong of the Dhanasar framework.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-19_01_B5203; source_row=26838
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's advanced degrees, numerous cited first-author publications in top medical journals, expert reference letters describing her research contributions to retinal disease diagnosis and treatment, and her progressive career history collectively established she is well positioned to advance her proposed research in the United States.

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 found that the Petitioner's advanced degrees, numerous cited first-author publications in top medical journals, expert reference letters describing her research contributions to retinal disease diagnosis and treatment, and her progressive career history collectively established she is well positioned to advance her proposed research in the United States.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-19_01_B5203; source_row=26839
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's considerable experience and expertise, documented past successes in advancing research, influential findings, and the interest of other researchers in the medical community who built upon her work demonstrated that her contributions were of such value that a waiver would benefit the United States on balance, even assuming other qualified U.S. workers are available.

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 that the Petitioner's considerable experience and expertise, documented past successes in advancing research, influential findings, and the interest of other researchers in the medical community who built upon her work demonstrated that her contributions were of such value that a waiver would benefit the United States on balance, even assuming other qualified U.S. workers are available.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2021-01-19_01_B5203; source_row=26840
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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