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 15661–15670

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Labor certification demonstrates need for advanced degree professional

Why AAO was not persuaded

Part H.14's plain language accepting 'Any suitable combination of education and experience' and a foreign equivalency 'as determined by a professional evaluation service' signals acceptance of less than a bachelor's degree, undermining EB-2 classification requirements. The labor certification record already stated the requirements, and additional clarification was unnecessary and contradictory.…

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Part H.14's plain language accepting 'Any suitable combination of education and experience' and a foreign equivalency 'as determined by a professional evaluation service' signals acceptance of less than a bachelor's degree, undermining EB-2 classification requirements. The labor certification record already stated the requirements, and additional clarification was unnecessary and contradictory. Advertising materials are insufficient because regulations require the labor certification itself to demonstrate the need for an advanced degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-27_01_B5203; source_row=22828
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted only a 2014 tax return, but failed to provide evidence of ability to pay for 2016 (the priority date year) or thereafter. The Petitioner must also account for the combined proffered wages of multiple other immigrant petitions filed or pending after April 25, 2016.

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The Petitioner submitted only a 2014 tax return, but failed to provide evidence of ability to pay for 2016 (the priority date year) or thereafter. The Petitioner must also account for the combined proffered wages of multiple other immigrant petitions filed or pending after April 25, 2016.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-27_01_B5203; source_row=22829
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters confirm employment but do not indicate leadership positions or that the Petitioner's role as mountain guide rose to a critical level (e.g., increased revenue or participation). Additionally, the organizations' distinguished reputations were not established with specific documentation, and participation in a documentary did not demonstrate a leading role for an organization.

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The letters confirm employment but do not indicate leadership positions or that the Petitioner's role as mountain guide rose to a critical level (e.g., increased revenue or participation). Additionally, the organizations' distinguished reputations were not established with specific documentation, and participation in a documentary did not demonstrate a leading role for an organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=22822
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters do not show that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field, and no other record evidence demonstrates such recognition.

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The letters do not show that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field, and no other record evidence demonstrates such recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=22819
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The expert letters praise the Petitioner's skills and recount personal accomplishments but do not explain specific contributions of major significance to the field. Letters that repeat regulatory language without showing how contributions have already influenced the field are insufficient, and USCIS need not accept conclusory statements.

Why this is useful

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

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The expert letters praise the Petitioner's skills and recount personal accomplishments but do not explain specific contributions of major significance to the field. Letters that repeat regulatory language without showing how contributions have already influenced the field are insufficient, and USCIS need not accept conclusory statements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=22821
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the conference and alumni evidence post-dated the filing of the petition, and the remaining evidence did not show sufficient interest from customers/investors or that her track record renders her well positioned to advance the consulting endeavor.

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AAO found the conference and alumni evidence post-dated the filing of the petition, and the remaining evidence did not show sufficient interest from customers/investors or that her track record renders her well positioned to advance the consulting endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-26_01_B5203; source_row=22825
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record contains an article reflecting published material about the Petitioner relating to his field, and the AAO concurred with the Director's finding.

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The record contains an article reflecting published material about the Petitioner relating to his field, and the AAO concurred with the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=22820
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 conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of at least three criteria, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not establish the required acclaim.

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of at least three criteria, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not establish the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=22823
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets labor certification experience requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO applied the plain language of the labor certification, which required 24 months of experience in the job offered (high school math teacher) and barred experience in alternate occupations.…

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AAO applied the plain language of the labor certification, which required 24 months of experience in the job offered (high school math teacher) and barred experience in alternate occupations. The Beneficiary's university-level teaching assistant duties — tutoring, recitations, and grading — did not encompass the curriculum development and classroom teaching of grades 9–12 central to the offered position, making that experience an alternate occupation and therefore non-qualifying.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-26_02_B5203; source_row=22827
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found insufficient information to establish that the Petitioner's consulting work has implications beyond her company and its potential clients, and she did not demonstrate wider impact on her field or the U.S. economy.

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 insufficient information to establish that the Petitioner's consulting work has implications beyond her company and its potential clients, and she did not demonstrate wider impact on her field or the U.S. economy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2018-06-26_01_B5203; source_row=22824
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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