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 15211530

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not address prong two, having resolved the appeal on prong one grounds.

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 did not address prong two, having resolved the appeal on prong one grounds.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_02_B5203; source_row=42920
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

Because Petitioner did not raise this criterion on appeal, it is waived; the ineffective-assistance excuse is unsupported.

Why this is useful

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

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Because Petitioner did not raise this criterion on appeal, it is waived; the ineffective-assistance excuse is unsupported.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_02_B2203; source_row=42916
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO previously accepted that this single criterion was met; not contested on motion.

Why this is useful

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AAO previously accepted that this single criterion was met; not contested on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_02_B2203; source_row=42912
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high remuneration

What the decision said

The motion does not raise this criterion and it is therefore waived.

Why this is useful

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

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The motion does not raise this criterion and it is therefore waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_02_B2203; source_row=42918
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

motion to reconsider - error of law or policy

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO properly declined to consider new evidence on appeal under Matter of Soriano, the ineffective-assistance claim is unsupported, and the Petitioner does not specify what law or policy was incorrectly applied.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO properly declined to consider new evidence on appeal under Matter of Soriano, the ineffective-assistance claim is unsupported, and the Petitioner does not specify what law or policy was incorrectly applied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_02_B2203; source_row=42911
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

motion to reopen - new facts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The new evidence and ineffective-assistance claims do not meet the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2); the affidavit contains unresolved discrepancies, O-T- explicitly identified herself as a non-attorney, and the additional evidence on the membership, published-material, and judging criteria is insufficient to change the outcome.

Why this is useful

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

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The new evidence and ineffective-assistance claims do not meet the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2); the affidavit contains unresolved discrepancies, O-T- explicitly identified herself as a non-attorney, and the additional evidence on the membership, published-material, and judging criteria is insufficient to change the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_02_B2203; source_row=42910
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others in the field

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue under Bagamasbad because even if met, Petitioner would have only two criteria, short of the required three. AAO also flagged numerous unresolved inconsistencies between the original refereeing book and its translation that undermine the evidence.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved this issue under Bagamasbad because even if met, Petitioner would have only two criteria, short of the required three. AAO also flagged numerous unresolved inconsistencies between the original refereeing book and its translation that undermine the evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_02_B2203; source_row=42915
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputations

What the decision said

Issue waived because not raised on appeal; ineffective-assistance excuse is unsupported.

Why this is useful

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Issue waived because not raised on appeal; ineffective-assistance excuse is unsupported.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_02_B2203; source_row=42917
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others in the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner demonstrated participation as a judge of the work of others in the field.

Why this is useful

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Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner demonstrated participation as a judge of the work of others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_01_B2203; source_row=42905
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to fully reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold of three criteria. However, AAO noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not show the required sustained national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to fully reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold of three criteria. However, AAO noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not show the required sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-31_01_B2203; source_row=42909
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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