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 12271–12280

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted in dicta that the record would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted in dicta that the record would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-28_03_B2203; source_row=26765
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration for services

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's assertion was vague, unsupported, and untimely, having never been put before the Director. An appeal is not the proper vehicle for raising new claims the Director had no opportunity to consider.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner's assertion was vague, unsupported, and untimely, having never been put before the Director. An appeal is not the proper vehicle for raising new claims the Director had no opportunity to consider.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-28_03_B2203; source_row=26764
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

While one fitness industry expert attested to the originality of the Petitioner's approach, the letters did not provide specific information about the degree to which her work has impacted the field. General praise did not establish a demonstrable impact on fitness training beyond one film production.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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While one fitness industry expert attested to the originality of the Petitioner's approach, the letters did not provide specific information about the degree to which her work has impacted the field. General praise did not establish a demonstrable impact on fitness training beyond one film production.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-28_03_B2203; source_row=26761
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded that given the Beneficiary's track record of successful research and the significance of his work advancing U.S. agricultural interests, his contributions on balance would benefit the United States even assuming 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 concluded that given the Beneficiary's track record of successful research and the significance of his work advancing U.S. agricultural interests, his contributions on balance would benefit the United States even assuming qualified U.S. workers are available.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-28_02_B5203; source_row=26756
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the Beneficiary's education, experience, expertise, publications, role in funded research projects, and sustained government and corporate funding position him well to continue his soil science research endeavor.

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 agreed that the Beneficiary's education, experience, expertise, publications, role in funded research projects, and sustained government and corporate funding position him well to continue his soil science research endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-28_02_B5203; source_row=26755
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director misstated the proposed endeavor by focusing on teaching duties and ignored evidence that the Beneficiary's soil science research has broader implications, dissemination, and prospective impact on the field.

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 Director misstated the proposed endeavor by focusing on teaching duties and ignored evidence that the Beneficiary's soil science research has broader implications, dissemination, and prospective impact on the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-28_02_B5203; source_row=26754
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 the United States to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to meet the first and second prongs, making the third prong unnecessary to the decision.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO did not reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to meet the first and second prongs, making the third prong unnecessary to the decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-28_01_B5203; source_row=26746
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted in dicta that the record did not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted in dicta that the record did not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-28_04_B2203; source_row=26769
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director concluded the Petitioner met the prizes and awards criterion, and AAO did not disturb this finding.

Why this is useful

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

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The Director concluded the Petitioner met the prizes and awards criterion, and AAO did not disturb this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-28_04_B2203; source_row=26766
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

No credential evaluation was provided to confirm equivalency of the foreign bachelor's degree to a U.S. baccalaureate, and even with such equivalency the petition was filed less than five years after the March 2014 degree was conferred, so the five-year progressive experience requirement could not be met.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
No credential evaluation was provided to confirm equivalency of the foreign bachelor's degree to a U.S. baccalaureate, and even with such equivalency the petition was filed less than five years after the March 2014 degree was conferred, so the five-year progressive experience requirement could not be met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-12-22_05_B5203; source_row=26734
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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