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 14411450

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 agrees the endeavor has substantial merit, but concludes Petitioner did not establish national importance. The business plan's economic projections lack supporting bases, the plan does not estimate patients reached, and the knowledge-sharing component does not show broader impact on the diabetes-care field.

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AAO agrees the endeavor has substantial merit, but concludes Petitioner did not establish national importance. The business plan's economic projections lack supporting bases, the plan does not estimate patients reached, and the knowledge-sharing component does not show broader impact on the diabetes-care field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-07_02_B5203; source_row=43027
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO declines to perform a fresh final merits analysis because the threshold three-criteria requirement is not met, but notes its prior decision already considered the record in the aggregate and found insufficient acclaim, with media coverage predominantly local and employment in restaurants and a training center.

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AAO declines to perform a fresh final merits analysis because the threshold three-criteria requirement is not met, but notes its prior decision already considered the record in the aggregate and found insufficient acclaim, with media coverage predominantly local and employment in restaurants and a training center.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=43023
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 in professional or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reaffirms that the Caretas article lacked the required author credit and that the 1991 report was not shown to be a sufficiently authoritative source establishing Caretas as major media. The Bloom Tampa Bay article postdates the June 2022 petition filing and cannot establish eligibility at filing.

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AAO reaffirms that the Caretas article lacked the required author credit and that the 1991 report was not shown to be a sufficiently authoritative source establishing Caretas as major media. The Bloom Tampa Bay article postdates the June 2022 petition filing and cannot establish eligibility at filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=43020
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reaffirms that the letter described the quality of the Petitioner's work and general praise for his dedication, not a specific leading or critical role for the organization.

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AAO reaffirms that the letter described the quality of the Petitioner's work and general praise for his dedication, not a specific leading or critical role for the organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-07_01_B2203; source_row=43022
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner failed to show broader implications beyond her direct clients, did not identify specific innovations, and her business projections were unsupported and insufficient to establish national-scale economic impact.…

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner failed to show broader implications beyond her direct clients, did not identify specific innovations, and her business projections were unsupported and insufficient to establish national-scale economic impact. The expert letter and recommendation letters also failed to establish national importance, as they restated the Petitioner's claims without explaining how her endeavor would broadly impact the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-06_02_B5203; source_row=43017
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's business plan lacked sufficient explanation for economic projections including revenue and job creation, and did not establish operation at a scale rising to national importance. New articles discussed Latin American investment generally but did not speak to the specific endeavor's national implications or potential to employ U.S. workers.…

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The Petitioner's business plan lacked sufficient explanation for economic projections including revenue and job creation, and did not establish operation at a scale rising to national importance. New articles discussed Latin American investment generally but did not speak to the specific endeavor's national implications or potential to employ U.S. workers. Reasserted arguments on reconsideration were generalized and uncorroborated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-06_01_B5203; source_row=43014
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO reserved its opinion on prong three because the prong one finding was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved its opinion on prong three because the prong one finding was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-06_01_B5203; source_row=43016
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved its opinion on prong two because the prong one finding was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved its opinion on prong two because the prong one finding was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-06_01_B5203; source_row=43015
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

Why AAO was not persuaded

The evidence does not sufficiently show the Petitioner played a critical role of significant importance, nor does it establish her prior employers have a distinguished reputation. The Petitioner did not overcome these concerns on appeal.

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The evidence does not sufficiently show the Petitioner played a critical role of significant importance, nor does it establish her prior employers have a distinguished reputation. The Petitioner did not overcome these concerns on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=42982
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although memberships may aid professional development, the evidence does not show the associations require outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Unsupported statements have limited probative value.

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Although memberships may aid professional development, the evidence does not show the associations require outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts. Unsupported statements have limited probative value.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=42979
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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