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 13311340

EB-1AComparable evidenceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

Comparable evidence

comparable evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(4)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held the Petitioner bears the burden to first demonstrate the standard criteria do not readily apply to the beneficiary's occupation and to identify claimed comparable evidence, which the league did not do.

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AAO held the Petitioner bears the burden to first demonstrate the standard criteria do not readily apply to the beneficiary's occupation and to identify claimed comparable evidence, which the league did not do.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_01_B2203; source_row=43181
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the article showed recognition only by the awarding university and football league trust, with no evidence that national or international audiences know of the award or that the trust has documented prestige.

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AAO found the article showed recognition only by the awarding university and football league trust, with no evidence that national or international audiences know of the award or that the trust has documented prestige.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_01_B2203; source_row=43178
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held the league submitted no evidence of circulations, readerships, viewerships, or target audiences of the publications, and Matter of Price (involving Golf Digest and major newspapers) did not support the league's position.

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AAO held the league submitted no evidence of circulations, readerships, viewerships, or target audiences of the publications, and Matter of Price (involving Golf Digest and major newspapers) did not support the league's position.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_01_B2203; source_row=43180
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 affirmed its prior finding that the Petitioner's evidence, including the business plan's employment and financial projections, did not sufficiently demonstrate the endeavor would produce substantial positive economic effects rising to the level of national importance. AAO clarified its statements about job creation and regional economic impact were illustrative, not mandatory requirements.

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 affirmed its prior finding that the Petitioner's evidence, including the business plan's employment and financial projections, did not sufficiently demonstrate the endeavor would produce substantial positive economic effects rising to the level of national importance. AAO clarified its statements about job creation and regional economic impact were illustrative, not mandatory requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_07_B5203; source_row=43202
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

AAO held the listed FA license requirements (coaching qualification, background check, minimum CPD, safety certificates, insurance) do not reflect eminence or distinction, and the record lacked evidence that recognized national or international experts judge candidates.

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AAO held the listed FA license requirements (coaching qualification, background check, minimum CPD, safety certificates, insurance) do not reflect eminence or distinction, and the record lacked evidence that recognized national or international experts judge candidates.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_01_B2203; source_row=43179
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's economic assertions about the small business environment lacked corroborating evidence that her specific endeavor would have substantial positive effects at a national scale, and her new economic figures regarding Florida small businesses still could not demonstrate error in the prior decision based on the then-existing record.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the Petitioner's economic assertions about the small business environment lacked corroborating evidence that her specific endeavor would have substantial positive effects at a national scale, and her new economic figures regarding Florida small businesses still could not demonstrate error in the prior decision based on the then-existing record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_01_B5203; source_row=43183
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the employment letter lacks specific dates and a description of duties, the freelance work claim is uncorroborated, and even crediting the claims the timeframe is less than five years before the March 2023 filing date.

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AAO agrees the employment letter lacks specific dates and a description of duties, the freelance work claim is uncorroborated, and even crediting the claims the timeframe is less than five years before the March 2023 filing date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_05_B5203; source_row=43194
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record (k)(3)(ii)(A)

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepts the Director's finding that this criterion is satisfied.

Why this is useful

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AAO accepts the Director's finding that this criterion is satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_05_B5203; source_row=43195
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions (k)(3)(ii)(F)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds the letters discuss the Petitioner's skills and personal accomplishments but do not show impact beyond her employers, clientele, and projects, and the certificates reflect academic and professional development rather than industry-level significance.

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AAO finds the letters discuss the Petitioner's skills and personal accomplishments but do not show impact beyond her employers, clientele, and projects, and the certificates reflect academic and professional development rather than industry-level significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_05_B5203; source_row=43200
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

high salary or remuneration (k)(3)(ii)(D)

What the decision said

AAO treats the salary criterion as waived because the Petitioner did not contest the Director's determination on appeal.

Why this is useful

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AAO treats the salary criterion as waived because the Petitioner did not contest the Director's determination on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-25_05_B5203; source_row=43198
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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