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 15291–15300

NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Remaining exceptional ability criteria (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii))

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's stated reasons for denial or point to specific errors in the analysis of the remaining criteria, so AAO treated those findings as unchallenged.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's stated reasons for denial or point to specific errors in the analysis of the remaining criteria, so AAO treated those findings as unchallenged.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-05_02_B5203; source_row=23241
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

degree/diploma/certificate from institution of learning (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found that the Petitioner's certificate from an Executive Development Program satisfied this criterion, and AAO affirmed this finding.

Why this is useful

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The Director found that the Petitioner's certificate from an Executive Development Program satisfied this criterion, and AAO affirmed this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-05_01_B5203; source_row=23233
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years of full-time experience in the occupation (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the employment verification letter's description of job duties and responsibilities was sufficient to document at least ten years of full-time experience as a communications and media executive, withdrawing the Director's finding.

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AAO found that the employment verification letter's description of job duties and responsibilities was sufficient to document at least ten years of full-time experience as a communications and media executive, withdrawing the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-05_01_B5203; source_row=23235
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found that the Petitioner's professional association membership satisfied this criterion, and AAO affirmed.

Why this is useful

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

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The Director found that the Petitioner's professional association membership satisfied this criterion, and AAO affirmed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-05_01_B5203; source_row=23234
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner identified a wide variety of possible research topics but did not provide sufficient information or documentation to establish which specific research area he would pursue in the United States, nor did he identify specific RCS or AFCS research projects.…

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 identified a wide variety of possible research topics but did not provide sufficient information or documentation to establish which specific research area he would pursue in the United States, nor did he identify specific RCS or AFCS research projects. General evidence about the importance of defense and aerospace industries was insufficient to demonstrate the national importance of a specific intended research endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-01_01_B5203; source_row=23230
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the director's finding, concluding that citation counts alone—even favorable ones—do not establish major significance without showing the work was singled out as particularly important. The news releases showed potential future impact but not actual major significance, and the recommendation letters praised his work without demonstrating how it was of major significance in the field.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO withdrew the director's finding, concluding that citation counts alone—even favorable ones—do not establish major significance without showing the work was singled out as particularly important. The news releases showed potential future impact but not actual major significance, and the recommendation letters praised his work without demonstrating how it was of major significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-01_01_B2203; source_row=23227
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, and consideration of the remaining prongs would serve no meaningful purpose.

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 explicitly declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, and consideration of the remaining prongs would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-01_01_B5203; source_row=23231
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, and consideration of the remaining prongs would serve no meaningful purpose.

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 explicitly declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, and consideration of the remaining prongs would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-01_01_B5203; source_row=23232
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the director that the petitioner satisfied the judging criterion through his peer review activities.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed with the director that the petitioner satisfied the judging criterion through his peer review activities.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-01_01_B2203; source_row=23226
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 formally reserved this issue because the petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold, but noted in advisory dicta that the aggregate record does not support the required acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO formally reserved this issue because the petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold, but noted in advisory dicta that the aggregate record does not support the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-11-01_01_B2203; source_row=23229
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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