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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 15621–15630
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established
Case facts
Computer Science / AIPhD
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner had not demonstrated a record of success or progress in the field. His citation record lacked comparative context, his letters of recommendation were insufficiently detailed, and his post-filing employment could not establish eligibility at the time of filing.…
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner had not demonstrated a record of success or progress in the field. His citation record lacked comparative context, his letters of recommendation were insufficiently detailed, and his post-filing employment could not establish eligibility at the time of filing. The evidence did not show his research had been implemented, generated positive discourse, or was of sufficient influence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-10_01_B5203; source_row=22872 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other28 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
What the decision said
AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the minimum three criteria at step 1, but noted in dicta that the 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.
View full reasoning +
AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the minimum three criteria at step 1, but noted in dicta that the record does not support the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-10_01_B2203; source_row=22870 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Computer Science / AIPhD
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer requirement
What the decision said
AAO declined to fully engage the third prong analysis because the Petitioner failed the second prong, making further discussion of balancing factors purposeless. AAO noted the Petitioner had not provided information about why a labor certification would be impractical or why urgency warranted foregoing the process.
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
View full reasoning +
AAO declined to fully engage the third prong analysis because the Petitioner failed the second prong, making further discussion of balancing factors purposeless. AAO noted the Petitioner had not provided information about why a labor certification would be impractical or why urgency warranted foregoing the process.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-10_01_B5203; source_row=22873 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Computer Science / AIPhD
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial merit and national importance
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO found that the Petitioner's petroleum engineering consulting work lacks implications beyond individual companies, but his proposed carbon sequestration research is of national importance given documented legislative and governmental advocacy. The Petitioner thus meets the first prong with respect to the carbon sequestration research.
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
View full reasoning +
AAO found that the Petitioner's petroleum engineering consulting work lacks implications beyond individual companies, but his proposed carbon sequestration research is of national importance given documented legislative and governmental advocacy. The Petitioner thus meets the first prong with respect to the carbon sequestration research.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-10_01_B5203; source_row=22871 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Materials Science16 reviews
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence — including citation records placing the Petitioner in the middle of the field, peer review work for 16 manuscripts that did not distinguish him from other experts, and university-generated news releases mentioning him as one of several contributors — did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or top-of-field standing.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence — including citation records placing the Petitioner in the middle of the field, peer review work for 16 manuscripts that did not distinguish him from other experts, and university-generated news releases mentioning him as one of several contributors — did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or top-of-field standing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-07-09_01_B2203; source_row=22866 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c