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 13511360

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations (via comparable evidence)

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Petitioner showed cinematography is project-based and that she had critical roles on various projects, the record lacked corroborating evidence from awarding entities establishing the projects' distinguished reputation. References to recognition of unrelated projects of co-workers were not relevant.

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While the Petitioner showed cinematography is project-based and that she had critical roles on various projects, the record lacked corroborating evidence from awarding entities establishing the projects' distinguished reputation. References to recognition of unrelated projects of co-workers were not relevant.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_01_B2203; source_row=43166
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 petitioner

Why AAO was not persuaded

While AAO agreed the article's author was named in the printout, monthly visitor counts without comparative data and illegible Similarweb rankings did not establish major media status. The Petitioner only specifically addressed one publication on appeal and did not show unpublished AAO decisions were analogous.

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While AAO agreed the article's author was named in the printout, monthly visitor counts without comparative data and illegible Similarweb rankings did not establish major media status. The Petitioner only specifically addressed one publication on appeal and did not show unpublished AAO decisions were analogous.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_01_B2203; source_row=43163
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's reliance on the importance of the dental field generally misapplied the Dhanasar framework, which requires focusing on the specific proposed endeavor's prospective impact.…

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AAO found the Petitioner's reliance on the importance of the dental field generally misapplied the Dhanasar framework, which requires focusing on the specific proposed endeavor's prospective impact. The Petitioner did not show how his clinics would produce broader implications beyond his prospective patients, his job creation and revenue projections were inconsistent and unsupported, and his claimed HUBZone locations were unsubstantiated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_02_B5203; source_row=43171
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 adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis, finding that while the proposed endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner did not demonstrate broader implications in his field or substantial positive economic effects for the country rising to national importance. The appeal submissions did not provide additional insight addressing the Director's finding about lack of significant potential to employ U.S.…

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis, finding that while the proposed endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner did not demonstrate broader implications in his field or substantial positive economic effects for the country rising to national importance. The appeal submissions did not provide additional insight addressing the Director's finding about lack of significant potential to employ U.S. workers or offer substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_03_B5203; source_row=43174
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree equivalency

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's academic record reflects only three years of study, falling short of the four years required to equate to a U.S. baccalaureate degree. The updated evaluation omitted problematic statements but did not introduce new facts.

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The Petitioner's academic record reflects only three years of study, falling short of the four years required to equate to a U.S. baccalaureate degree. The updated evaluation omitted problematic statements but did not introduce new facts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=43167
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent with five years progressive experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The new evaluation suffers from the same defect as the prior one — it does not bridge the gap between a two-year degree and a four-year U.S. bachelor's, so the post-baccalaureate experience claim also fails.

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The new evaluation suffers from the same defect as the prior one — it does not bridge the gap between a two-year degree and a four-year U.S. bachelor's, so the post-baccalaureate experience claim also fails.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_04_B5203; source_row=43177
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not claim this criterion below or on appeal; AAO deems any unraised ground of ineligibility waived.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not claim this criterion below or on appeal; AAO deems any unraised ground of ineligibility waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_01_B2203; source_row=43162
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor does not sufficiently demonstrate broader implications for his field, the U.S. economy, or societal welfare, and that his situation is not analogous to Dhanasar's scientific researcher whose work had national strategic implications. The Petitioner's motion introduced no new facts on this issue.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor does not sufficiently demonstrate broader implications for his field, the U.S. economy, or societal welfare, and that his situation is not analogous to Dhanasar's scientific researcher whose work had national strategic implications. The Petitioner's motion introduced no new facts on this issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=43168
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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

AAO reserved discussion of the second prong in the appellate decision, as the first prong was dispositive. The motion does not revisit this prong.

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 reserved discussion of the second prong in the appellate decision, as the first prong was dispositive. The motion does not revisit this prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=43169
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

What the decision said

AAO reserved discussion of the third prong in the appellate decision, as the first prong was dispositive. The motion does not revisit this prong.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved discussion of the third prong in the appellate decision, as the first prong was dispositive. The motion does not revisit this prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=43170
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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