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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 13411–13420
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, beneficial to waive job offer and labor certification
What the decision said
Because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, the AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong, finding further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
View full reasoning +
Because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, the AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong, finding further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-10_01_B5203; source_row=25371 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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
Because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, the AAO explicitly declined to reach the second prong, finding further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
View full reasoning +
Because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, the AAO explicitly declined to reach the second prong, finding further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-10_01_B5203; source_row=25370 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, beneficial to waive job offer and labor certification
What the decision said
Because the Petitioner failed to establish prongs 1 and 2, AAO declined to engage in a full analysis of the balancing factors under prong 3, finding that further discussion would serve no meaningful purpose.
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
View full reasoning +
Because the Petitioner failed to establish prongs 1 and 2, AAO declined to engage in a full analysis of the balancing factors under prong 3, finding that further discussion would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-10_02_B5203; source_row=25374 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material about the individual
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the only submitted article was published more than ten months after the petition's filing date and thus could not establish eligibility under this criterion at time of filing.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found the only submitted article was published more than ten months after the petition's filing date and thus could not establish eligibility under this criterion at time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-10_01_B2203; source_row=25365 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed that the BuzzFeed recognition was of the café (the employer), not the Petitioner personally, and that the recognition did not constitute a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award. The record also failed to demonstrate the national or international significance of the BuzzFeed recognition.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO agreed that the BuzzFeed recognition was of the café (the employer), not the Petitioner personally, and that the recognition did not constitute a nationally or internationally recognized prize or award. The record also failed to demonstrate the national or international significance of the BuzzFeed recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-06_01_B2203; source_row=25356 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Published material
published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the Petitioner did not demonstrate the significance of the internet rankings and viewing statistics or explain how they elevated the websites to major media. The NBC Chicago FeedSpot article also lacked an identified author, failing to meet all elements of the criterion. A candy company advertisement did not qualify as 'published material' under the regulation.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner did not demonstrate the significance of the internet rankings and viewing statistics or explain how they elevated the websites to major media. The NBC Chicago FeedSpot article also lacked an identified author, failing to meet all elements of the criterion. A candy company advertisement did not qualify as 'published material' under the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-06_01_B2203; source_row=25357 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the Petitioner did not establish that a baking demonstration at her café for a food magazine program constitutes display at artistic exhibitions or showcases, nor that the program is 'artistic' in nature as opposed to commercial media.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner did not establish that a baking demonstration at her café for a food magazine program constitutes display at artistic exhibitions or showcases, nor that the program is 'artistic' in nature as opposed to commercial media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-06_01_B2203; source_row=25358 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO reaffirmed that an advanced degree under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) implicitly requires issuance by an accredited institution. There was no evidence that the institution met accreditation standards prior to receiving formal accreditation in summer 2010, after the Beneficiary completed her studies and received her MBA in March 2010.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO reaffirmed that an advanced degree under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) implicitly requires issuance by an accredited institution. There was no evidence that the institution met accreditation standards prior to receiving formal accreditation in summer 2010, after the Beneficiary completed her studies and received her MBA in March 2010.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-06_02_B5203; source_row=25362 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Leading / critical role
leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO agreed the Petitioner provided sufficient evidence to establish she served in a leading role for the café and that the business enjoys a distinguished reputation.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO agreed the Petitioner provided sufficient evidence to establish she served in a leading role for the café and that the business enjoys a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-06_01_B2203; source_row=25359 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of at least three evidentiary criteria. In dicta, AAO noted the record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of at least three evidentiary criteria. In dicta, AAO noted the record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-03-06_01_B2203; source_row=25361 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c