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 16431–16440

NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary's degree in required field of study

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found that graphic design relates to marketing based on DOL handbook listings showing graphic designer as a similar occupation to marketing managers, an expert opinion describing graphic design as an essential component of marketing, and the Petitioner's own recruitment materials accepting a graphic design degree.

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The AAO found that graphic design relates to marketing based on DOL handbook listings showing graphic designer as a similar occupation to marketing managers, an expert opinion describing graphic design as an essential component of marketing, and the Petitioner's own recruitment materials accepting a graphic design degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-02_02_B5203; source_row=21981
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted only 2011 tax returns but failed to provide required financial documentation for 2012, the priority date year. The proffered wage was $142,300 annually and the record does not demonstrate the Petitioner's ability to pay from the priority date.

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The Petitioner submitted only 2011 tax returns but failed to provide required financial documentation for 2012, the priority date year. The proffered wage was $142,300 annually and the record does not demonstrate the Petitioner's ability to pay from the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-02_02_B5203; source_row=21982
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary's five years of qualifying experience in the job offered

Why AAO was not persuaded

None of the three employer letters adequately documented the Beneficiary's experience with key job duties. The Petitioner's own letter omitted duties related to business strategies, market monitoring, and marketing budget oversight. Both Venezuelan employer letters similarly failed to document these required duties. One Venezuelan employer letter was further discounted because it was controlled by the Beneficiary's spouse.

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None of the three employer letters adequately documented the Beneficiary's experience with key job duties. The Petitioner's own letter omitted duties related to business strategies, market monitoring, and marketing budget oversight. Both Venezuelan employer letters similarly failed to document these required duties. One Venezuelan employer letter was further discounted because it was controlled by the Beneficiary's spouse.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-02_02_B5203; source_row=21984
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer and labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to establish that it would be beneficial to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements, having not demonstrated the urgency or necessity of his contributions over available U.S. workers.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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The Petitioner failed to establish that it would be beneficial to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements, having not demonstrated the urgency or necessity of his contributions over available U.S. workers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-01_01_B5203; source_row=21977
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not sufficiently identify his specific proposed endeavor in the United States; his future plan was too vague to allow a determination of substantial merit and national importance.

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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The Petitioner did not sufficiently identify his specific proposed endeavor in the United States; his future plan was too vague to allow a determination of substantial merit and national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-01_01_B5203; source_row=21975
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the Petitioner did not clearly define his proposed endeavor, AAO could not assess whether he was well positioned to advance it. He did not identify the capacity in which he would work, the nature of positions he might seek, or specific projects he intended to undertake.

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Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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Because the Petitioner did not clearly define his proposed endeavor, AAO could not assess whether he was well positioned to advance it. He did not identify the capacity in which he would work, the nature of positions he might seek, or specific projects he intended to undertake.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-11-01_01_B5203; source_row=21976
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO conducted an aggregate review and found the record does not show the petitioner is in the small percentage at the top of the field or that he has sustained national or international acclaim.

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AAO conducted an aggregate review and found the record does not show the petitioner is in the small percentage at the top of the field or that he has sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-10-31_01_B2203; source_row=21974
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

Leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record did not specify how the petitioner's position fit into the organizational hierarchy or demonstrate a critical role, and that the organizations' distinguished reputations were not established. AAO withdrew the Director's finding on this criterion.

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AAO found the record did not specify how the petitioner's position fit into the organizational hierarchy or demonstrate a critical role, and that the organizations' distinguished reputations were not established. AAO withdrew the Director's finding on this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-10-31_01_B2203; source_row=21972
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

Published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that even if the holding company distributes some publications nationally and internationally, the petitioner did not demonstrate that the specific newspaper where the article appeared qualifies as major media or has a national rather than merely regional reach.

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AAO found that even if the holding company distributes some publications nationally and internationally, the petitioner did not demonstrate that the specific newspaper where the article appeared qualifies as major media or has a national rather than merely regional reach.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-10-31_01_B2203; source_row=21969
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the petitioner had not sufficiently documented receipt of an award and had not established that the distinction was issued for excellence in his field or that it is nationally or internationally recognized. AAO withdrew the Director's finding.

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AAO found the petitioner had not sufficiently documented receipt of an award and had not established that the distinction was issued for excellence in his field or that it is nationally or internationally recognized. AAO withdrew the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-10-31_01_B2203; source_row=21967
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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