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 14611470

EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high remuneration for services

Why AAO was not persuaded

Despite the Petitioner's claim that she submitted additional documentation on appeal, no such documentation beyond the appeal brief was provided, and the criterion remains unsatisfied.

Why this is useful

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Despite the Petitioner's claim that she submitted additional documentation on appeal, no such documentation beyond the appeal brief was provided, and the criterion remains unsatisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=42983
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

The brief contained no evidence or arguments addressing this criterion, so AAO considered it abandoned, citing Matter of R-A-M-.

Why this is useful

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The brief contained no evidence or arguments addressing this criterion, so AAO considered it abandoned, citing Matter of R-A-M-.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=42984
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

What the decision said

AAO deemed this criterion abandoned because the Petitioner's brief did not address it.

Why this is useful

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AAO deemed this criterion abandoned because the Petitioner's brief did not address it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_01_B2203; source_row=42985
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO declined to consider new evidence submitted for the first time on appeal because the regulation and the RFE had put the Petitioner on notice of what was required.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to consider new evidence submitted for the first time on appeal because the regulation and the RFE had put the Petitioner on notice of what was required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_03_B2203; source_row=43006
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

What the decision said

AAO reserved this criterion because the Petitioner could not numerically reach the required three criteria regardless of its outcome, making a ruling on this ground unnecessary to the ultimate decision.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved this criterion because the Petitioner could not numerically reach the required three criteria regardless of its outcome, making a ruling on this ground unnecessary to the ultimate decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_03_B2203; source_row=43005
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO declined to consider new evidence submitted for the first time on appeal because the regulation and the Director's RFE had already put the Petitioner on notice of the required evidence and gave her a reasonable opportunity to provide it.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to consider new evidence submitted for the first time on appeal because the regulation and the Director's RFE had already put the Petitioner on notice of the required evidence and gave her a reasonable opportunity to provide it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_03_B2203; source_row=43001
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

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 three criteria at step one, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not demonstrate the required sustained national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of three criteria at step one, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not demonstrate the required sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_03_B2203; source_row=43007
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences100 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO reserved the first prong as unnecessary given the prong-2 failure, but indicated in a footnote that the record does not actually demonstrate national importance and instructed the Petitioner to address this on any motion.

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 reserved the first prong as unnecessary given the prong-2 failure, but indicated in a footnote that the record does not actually demonstrate national importance and instructed the Petitioner to address this on any motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_04_B5203; source_row=43011
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences100 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

Having found prong 2 dispositive, AAO did not separately analyze the third prong, concluding only that the Petitioner had not established eligibility for or otherwise merited a waiver as a matter of discretion.

Why this is useful

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Having found prong 2 dispositive, AAO did not separately analyze the third prong, concluding only that the Petitioner had not established eligibility for or otherwise merited a waiver as a matter of discretion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_04_B5203; source_row=43013
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 the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong 3, reserving the issue because the failures on prongs 1 and 2 were dispositive of the appeal.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly declined to reach prong 3, reserving the issue because the failures on prongs 1 and 2 were dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-02-05_02_B5203; source_row=42999
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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