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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 12631–12640

NIWotherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AISoftware Engineer

Issue evaluated

other

Specific skills requirement (Section H.14 of labor certification)

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's categorical refusal to consider the internship letter legally unsupported, but noted the letter's credibility is diminished because the internship was omitted from the labor certification. AAO remanded for the Director to obtain independent objective evidence before making a final determination.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Director's categorical refusal to consider the internship letter legally unsupported, but noted the letter's credibility is diminished because the internship was omitted from the labor certification. AAO remanded for the Director to obtain independent objective evidence before making a final determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-03_03_B5203; source_row=26302
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AISoftware Engineer

Issue evaluated

other

Advanced degree qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Beneficiary earned a master of science degree in computational science, satisfying the labor certification's minimum educational requirement of a U.S. master's degree in computer science or computational science.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Beneficiary earned a master of science degree in computational science, satisfying the labor certification's minimum educational requirement of a U.S. master's degree in computer science or computational science.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-03_03_B5203; source_row=26301
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay the proffered wage from the priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the record did not establish ability to pay in 2008 (the priority-date year) because no annual report, federal tax return, or audited financial statements for 2008 were submitted.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO concluded the record did not establish ability to pay in 2008 (the priority-date year) because no annual report, federal tax return, or audited financial statements for 2008 were submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-03_01_B5203; source_row=26296
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

minimum experience and special skills required by the labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found inconsistent dates, missing descriptions, and unproven specific-skills experience left the Beneficiary's qualifying experience unestablished.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found inconsistent dates, missing descriptions, and unproven specific-skills experience left the Beneficiary's qualifying experience unestablished.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-03_01_B5203; source_row=26297
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

required technical skills (Part H.14)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letters reference Hyperion-related skills but do not exactly match the technical skills specified on the labor certification, and none of the letters or educational documents indicate knowledge of MaxL, Oracle Database, or BI+ Interactive Reporting.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The employer letters reference Hyperion-related skills but do not exactly match the technical skills specified on the labor certification, and none of the letters or educational documents indicate knowledge of MaxL, Oracle Database, or BI+ Interactive Reporting.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-03_02_B5203; source_row=26300
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

minimum experience required by labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

Inconsistencies among the labor certification, four employer letters, and the Beneficiary's December 2015 nonimmigrant visa application cast doubt on the claimed experience and indicate the Beneficiary lacks the minimum four years of required experience.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Inconsistencies among the labor certification, four employer letters, and the Beneficiary's December 2015 nonimmigrant visa application cast doubt on the claimed experience and indicate the Beneficiary lacks the minimum four years of required experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-03_02_B5203; source_row=26299
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay combined proffered wages

What the decision said

AAO declined to make a final determination on combined ability to pay, instead remanding for development of 2019 financial evidence and Sonegawa factors. AAO did find that the 2018 net income covered the individual wage difference for this petition.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to make a final determination on combined ability to pay, instead remanding for development of 2019 financial evidence and Sonegawa factors. AAO did find that the 2018 net income covered the individual wage difference for this petition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-03_02_B5203; source_row=26298
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Labor certification validity / proper job requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Director erroneously applied 20 C.F.R. § 656.17(i)(1), a provision applicable to the basic labor certification process, to a case filed under the special handling process of § 656.18. Because the Director did not explain the applicability of § 656.17(i)(1) to § 656.18 filings or analyze the Petitioner's intent to employ the Beneficiary, the Director's decision cannot stand and the matter must be remanded.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the Director erroneously applied 20 C.F.R. § 656.17(i)(1), a provision applicable to the basic labor certification process, to a case filed under the special handling process of § 656.18. Because the Director did not explain the applicability of § 656.17(i)(1) to § 656.18 filings or analyze the Petitioner's intent to employ the Beneficiary, the Director's decision cannot stand and the matter must be remanded.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-03_04_B5203; source_row=26303
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree requirement per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

USCIS must take the labor certification at face value as certified and cannot accept post-filing modifications. The alternate requirement in H.8 specified a bachelor's degree and three years of experience, which is below the advanced degree threshold. The attempt to change 'bachelor's' to 'master's' is a material change barred by 20 C.F.R.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
USCIS must take the labor certification at face value as certified and cannot accept post-filing modifications. The alternate requirement in H.8 specified a bachelor's degree and three years of experience, which is below the advanced degree threshold. The attempt to change 'bachelor's' to 'master's' is a material change barred by 20 C.F.R. § 656.11(b), and a petitioner may not make material changes to a deficient petition to bring it into compliance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-09-02_01_B5203; source_row=26295
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,019 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the published articles were brief news items routinely published when producers change employers, not evidence of sustained acclaim. Testimonial evidence of original contributions was not corroborated by independent field-wide recognition. Leading role evidence was limited to current employer. Salary comparison was undermined by overly broad wage survey categories covering only one year.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the published articles were brief news items routinely published when producers change employers, not evidence of sustained acclaim. Testimonial evidence of original contributions was not corroborated by independent field-wide recognition. Leading role evidence was limited to current employer. Salary comparison was undermined by overly broad wage survey categories covering only one year. Collectively, the evidence did not establish a career of acclaimed work placing her among the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-08-31_01_B2203; source_row=26294
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment