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 15031–15040

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage for multiple I-140 beneficiaries

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's net current assets were far less than needed to cover total proffered wage obligations to 71 other beneficiaries. The unaudited financial statements submitted on appeal do not comply with 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2), and the totality of circumstances does not support ability to pay.

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The Petitioner's net current assets were far less than needed to cover total proffered wage obligations to 71 other beneficiaries. The unaudited financial statements submitted on appeal do not comply with 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2), and the totality of circumstances does not support ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-01_03_B5203; source_row=23539
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

primary minimum requirement: five years of qualifying experience in the job offered

Why AAO was not persuaded

The proffered position is primarily supervisory in nature. The Beneficiary's prior nursing jobs involved only direct patient care with no supervisory functions. Since the experience requirement must be met with experience in the job offered — which is supervisory — and none of the Beneficiary's prior experience was supervisory, she does not satisfy the five-year experience component.

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The proffered position is primarily supervisory in nature. The Beneficiary's prior nursing jobs involved only direct patient care with no supervisory functions. Since the experience requirement must be met with experience in the job offered — which is supervisory — and none of the Beneficiary's prior experience was supervisory, she does not satisfy the five-year experience component.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-01_03_B5203; source_row=23541
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

alternate minimum requirement: master's degree equivalent in nursing

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record shows the Beneficiary earned a baccalaureate degree, and the educational evaluation submitted by the Petitioner itself concludes it is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. AACRAO EDGE confirms Philippine bachelor's degrees are comparable to U.S. bachelor's degrees. The degree does not meet the master's equivalent requirement.

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The record shows the Beneficiary earned a baccalaureate degree, and the educational evaluation submitted by the Petitioner itself concludes it is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. AACRAO EDGE confirms Philippine bachelor's degrees are comparable to U.S. bachelor's degrees. The degree does not meet the master's equivalent requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-01_03_B5203; source_row=23540
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

visa classification change request (clerical error claim)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to establish the EB-2 selection was a clerical error. Counsel's bare assertion was unsupported by details or corroborating evidence, and the seven-month delay in raising the issue—only after an RFE—along with labor certification requirements consistent with EB-2 intent, undermined the clerical error claim.

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to establish the EB-2 selection was a clerical error. Counsel's bare assertion was unsupported by details or corroborating evidence, and the seven-month delay in raising the issue—only after an RFE—along with labor certification requirements consistent with EB-2 intent, undermined the clerical error claim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-02-01_01_B5203; source_row=23536
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO had previously found that the Petitioner did not show his petroleum engineering/data science work for his employer had implications beyond that company at a level demonstrating national importance, although his proposed carbon sequestration research did have substantial merit and national importance. The motion did not overcome this finding.

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AAO had previously found that the Petitioner did not show his petroleum engineering/data science work for his employer had implications beyond that company at a level demonstrating national importance, although his proposed carbon sequestration research did have substantial merit and national importance. The motion did not overcome this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-31_02_B5203; source_row=23532
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 the job offer requirement

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed prong two, AAO did not reach prong three.

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Because the Petitioner failed prong two, AAO did not reach prong three.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-31_02_B5203; source_row=23534
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reaffirmed that the recommendation letters lacked specific examples of impact or implementation of the Petitioner's work, that download counts did not establish influence, and that post-filing evidence (the 2018 paper and abstract, employment with the oil and gas company) could not be used to show eligibility at time of filing. Country conditions and family information were deemed irrelevant to the Dhanasar analysis.

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AAO reaffirmed that the recommendation letters lacked specific examples of impact or implementation of the Petitioner's work, that download counts did not establish influence, and that post-filing evidence (the 2018 paper and abstract, employment with the oil and gas company) could not be used to show eligibility at time of filing. Country conditions and family information were deemed irrelevant to the Dhanasar analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-31_02_B5203; source_row=23533
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

documentation of acquisition of predecessor's business

Why AAO was not persuaded

The EMSA expressly preserved the predecessor's ownership of its intellectual property and other business assets, contemplated continued operation of the predecessor (including a one-year renewable term and termination provisions returning employees), and transferred only employees, not assets. Therefore the Petitioner did not acquire the essential rights and obligations needed to carry on the predecessor's business.

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The EMSA expressly preserved the predecessor's ownership of its intellectual property and other business assets, contemplated continued operation of the predecessor (including a one-year renewable term and termination provisions returning employees), and transferred only employees, not assets. Therefore the Petitioner did not acquire the essential rights and obligations needed to carry on the predecessor's business.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-31_01_B5203; source_row=23531
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 in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The NPR article, while from a qualifying major media outlet, was about a Massachusetts band and only referenced the Petitioner tangentially as a dancer in a music video. Other published materials were performance listings (not about her), remaining pieces lacked evidence that the publications qualified as professional or major trade media, and some pieces lacked author identification as required by the regulation.

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The NPR article, while from a qualifying major media outlet, was about a Massachusetts band and only referenced the Petitioner tangentially as a dancer in a music video. Other published materials were performance listings (not about her), remaining pieces lacked evidence that the publications qualified as professional or major trade media, and some pieces lacked author identification as required by the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-30_02_B2203; source_row=23528
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO noted that record evidence suggested the Petitioner had judged performances for admission to a New York dance school, but declined to resolve whether criterion iv was met because even assuming arguendo it was satisfied, she would still fall short of three criteria.

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AAO noted that record evidence suggested the Petitioner had judged performances for admission to a New York dance school, but declined to resolve whether criterion iv was met because even assuming arguendo it was satisfied, she would still fall short of three criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2019-01-30_02_B2203; source_row=23529
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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