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 13561–13570

EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

artistic display

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the Petitioner met the artistic display criterion, noting the record reflects he displayed his work in several photography exhibitions.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner met the artistic display criterion, noting the record reflects he displayed his work in several photography exhibitions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=25191
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

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the threshold requirement of at least three criteria, though it noted in an advisory capacity that the record does not show the required acclaim.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the threshold requirement of at least three criteria, though it noted in an advisory capacity that the record does not show the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=25193
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met the judging criterion, noting that the record reflects the Petitioner served on a jury for several photography exhibitions.

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See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met the judging criterion, noting that the record reflects the Petitioner served on a jury for several photography exhibitions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=25189
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's publications, patents, high citation rates relative to peers, expert letters identifying specific influential contributions, and evidence of commercialized technologies collectively demonstrated he is well positioned to advance his 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 publications, patents, high citation rates relative to peers, expert letters identifying specific influential contributions, and evidence of commercialized technologies collectively demonstrated he is well positioned to advance his proposed research in the United States.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-07_01_B5203; source_row=25195
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the record supported substantial merit given documented economic benefits and market growth in the relevant technologies, and national importance given letters from computer science professors explaining the potential impact and dissemination of the Petitioner's research.

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 agreed that the record supported substantial merit given documented economic benefits and market growth in the relevant technologies, and national importance given letters from computer science professors explaining the potential impact and dissemination of the Petitioner's research.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-07_01_B5203; source_row=25194
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's track record of successful research and its significance to U.S. technological and commercial interests meant his contributions were of sufficient value to benefit the United States even if other qualified U.S. workers were 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 track record of successful research and its significance to U.S. technological and commercial interests meant his contributions were of sufficient value to benefit the United States even if other qualified U.S. workers were available.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-07_01_B5203; source_row=25196
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

Petitioner's ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO raised this issue sua sponte. The Petitioner, having fewer than 100 employees, was required to submit annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements, but failed to provide evidence of its ability to pay the $51,418 proffered wage from the September 26, 2018 priority date.

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AAO raised this issue sua sponte. The Petitioner, having fewer than 100 employees, was required to submit annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements, but failed to provide evidence of its ability to pay the $51,418 proffered wage from the September 26, 2018 priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-06_01_B5203; source_row=25184
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets minimum experience requirements of labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Beneficiary credibly explained some inconsistencies, the Petitioner failed to explain the omission of the vending machine proprietor and jewelry distributor employment from the student visa application filed only two days after the claimed end of the vending machine proprietor employment.…

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While the Beneficiary credibly explained some inconsistencies, the Petitioner failed to explain the omission of the vending machine proprietor and jewelry distributor employment from the student visa application filed only two days after the claimed end of the vending machine proprietor employment. Additionally, USCIS records showed the Beneficiary was in nonimmigrant student status in the United States from April to June 2014, contradicting the claim of continuous Venezuelan employment.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-06_01_B5203; source_row=25182
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

Willful misrepresentation of material fact on labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner bore no responsibility for the accuracy of the Beneficiary's work history attestation, and that the Beneficiary's explanation of the inconsistencies was credible and supported by contemporaneous documentation, defeating the willfulness element required for a misrepresentation finding.

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AAO found that the Petitioner bore no responsibility for the accuracy of the Beneficiary's work history attestation, and that the Beneficiary's explanation of the inconsistencies was credible and supported by contemporaneous documentation, defeating the willfulness element required for a misrepresentation finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-06_01_B5203; source_row=25183
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

Net income of $707 falls far short of the $105,123 proffered wage; net current assets alone exceed the wage but the Petitioner has at least eight other I-140 petitions and has not provided data to establish combined ability to pay.

Why this is useful

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

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Net income of $707 falls far short of the $105,123 proffered wage; net current assets alone exceed the wage but the Petitioner has at least eight other I-140 petitions and has not provided data to establish combined ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2020-02-06_02_B5203; source_row=25187
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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