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 14201–14210

NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's proposed research aimed at improving public health has substantial merit, and that support letters and dissemination of results through scientific journals demonstrated national importance.

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 found that the Petitioner's proposed research aimed at improving public health has substantial merit, and that support letters and dissemination of results through scientific journals demonstrated national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_01_B5203; source_row=24460
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary possession of minimum required experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letter from the Indian software company did not specify how long the Beneficiary worked as a technical leader, only that his designation at the time of leaving was technical leader. This was insufficient to establish five years of experience as a technical leader as required by the labor certification.

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

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The employer letter from the Indian software company did not specify how long the Beneficiary worked as a technical leader, only that his designation at the time of leaving was technical leader. This was insufficient to establish five years of experience as a technical leader as required by the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_03_B5203; source_row=24480
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay individual proffered wage

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO held that when a petitioner submits required evidence (tax returns), it must also consider additional evidence of wages paid to the beneficiary. Crediting payments of $102,940 in 2017 and $96,427.29 in 2018, the net income and net current assets in both years exceeded the remaining differences of $12,646 and $19,158.71 respectively.

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

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AAO held that when a petitioner submits required evidence (tax returns), it must also consider additional evidence of wages paid to the beneficiary. Crediting payments of $102,940 in 2017 and $96,427.29 in 2018, the net income and net current assets in both years exceeded the remaining differences of $12,646 and $19,158.71 respectively.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_03_B5203; source_row=24478
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay combined proffered wages of multiple petitions

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO identified that USCIS records showed at least 16 other immigrant petitions filed by the Petitioner. The record lacked the proffered wages and priority dates for those petitions, so combined ability to pay could not be established. AAO remanded for the Director to request this information.

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AAO identified that USCIS records showed at least 16 other immigrant petitions filed by the Petitioner. The record lacked the proffered wages and priority dates for those petitions, so combined ability to pay could not be established. AAO remanded for the Director to request this information.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_03_B5203; source_row=24479
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Petitioner's right to change classification or receive RFE opportunity

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO is not bound by internal USCIS SOPs, and the cited SOP is inapplicable because the issue here is the job requirements, not the beneficiary's qualifications. The regulation at 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(16)(i) is also inapplicable because the mismatch between labor certification requirements and the classification request was fully known to the petitioner from the time of filing.…

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

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The AAO is not bound by internal USCIS SOPs, and the cited SOP is inapplicable because the issue here is the job requirements, not the beneficiary's qualifications. The regulation at 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(16)(i) is also inapplicable because the mismatch between labor certification requirements and the classification request was fully known to the petitioner from the time of filing. Additionally, USCIS policy precludes changing the visa category after a decision has already been made, and the petitioner did not request a change until filing the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_02_B5203; source_row=24472
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

On balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong 3 because failure under prong 1 is independently dispositive.

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 declined to reach prong 3 because failure under prong 1 is independently dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_04_B5203; source_row=24489
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner qualified as an advanced-degree professional under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) based on his foreign bachelor's degree plus five or more years of progressive specialty experience.

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AAO found the Petitioner qualified as an advanced-degree professional under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) based on his foreign bachelor's degree plus five or more years of progressive specialty experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_04_B5203; source_row=24486
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

Well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong 2 because failure under prong 1 is independently dispositive.

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 declined to reach prong 2 because failure under prong 1 is independently dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_04_B5203; source_row=24488
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty24 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others in the same or an allied field

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO disagreed with the Director, finding that the record does contain corroborated evidence of the Petitioner's participation as a judge. Evidence confirmed his judging role at the Open Championship and his role as 'Judge in forms and kickboxing categories' at the 2016 Martial Arts event, and the corroborated judging evidence extended beyond these two events.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO disagreed with the Director, finding that the record does contain corroborated evidence of the Petitioner's participation as a judge. Evidence confirmed his judging role at the Open Championship and his role as 'Judge in forms and kickboxing categories' at the 2016 Martial Arts event, and the corroborated judging evidence extended beyond these two events.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-10-01_04_B2203; source_row=24484
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical EngineeringManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Petitioner's V-treatment research was important to his former research group and employer, the evidence did not establish that his contributions have been of major significance to the overall field of chemical engineering or the specialized area of the relevant technology.…

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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While the Petitioner's V-treatment research was important to his former research group and employer, the evidence did not establish that his contributions have been of major significance to the overall field of chemical engineering or the specialized area of the relevant technology. Reference letters indicated industrial implementation was yet to occur, and the record lacked comparative citation data showing remarkable influence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-09-30_01_B2203; source_row=24450
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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