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 16681–16690

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage from priority date onward

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that Code S amounts could be added to wages (partially agreeing with petitioner's appeal argument) but rejected Code DD amounts because the record showed no elective cafeteria plan deferrals. After adjusting wages, the shortfall in 2014 and 2015 remained uncovered by net income or net current assets. The amended 2014 tax return was disregarded for lack of IRS receipt evidence.…

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AAO agreed that Code S amounts could be added to wages (partially agreeing with petitioner's appeal argument) but rejected Code DD amounts because the record showed no elective cafeteria plan deferrals. After adjusting wages, the shortfall in 2014 and 2015 remained uncovered by net income or net current assets. The amended 2014 tax return was disregarded for lack of IRS receipt evidence. Bank statements were not among the enumerated types of evidence and could not demonstrate sustainable ability to pay. The Sonegawa totality-of-circumstances analysis also failed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-15_01_B5203; source_row=21708
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary meets minimum experience requirements of labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Beneficiary's experience with the Petitioner itself could not be used because the position was substantially comparable to the offered position. The only other qualifying experience was a 2005 internship, but the attestation letter was defective (unsigned, missing title, no duty description), and a supplemental letter from a co-intern did not meet regulatory requirements and could not cover the full period claimed.

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The Beneficiary's experience with the Petitioner itself could not be used because the position was substantially comparable to the offered position. The only other qualifying experience was a 2005 internship, but the attestation letter was defective (unsigned, missing title, no duty description), and a supplemental letter from a co-intern did not meet regulatory requirements and could not cover the full period claimed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-15_01_B5203; source_row=21709
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner well positioned based on his qualifications as entrepreneur and CEO, actions taken to grow the business, and praise from colleagues and industry partners.

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

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AAO found the Petitioner well positioned based on his qualifications as entrepreneur and CEO, actions taken to grow the business, and praise from colleagues and industry partners.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-15_03_B5203; source_row=21712
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because failure to satisfy prong 1 was dispositive.

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 declined to reach the third prong because failure to satisfy prong 1 was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-15_03_B5203; source_row=21713
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found substantial merit based on the entrepreneurial nature of the work but found national importance not established because the Petitioner did not provide updated projections, comparative industry data, or other evidence showing prospective impact beyond his own company on the regional or national 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 substantial merit based on the entrepreneurial nature of the work but found national importance not established because the Petitioner did not provide updated projections, comparative industry data, or other evidence showing prospective impact beyond his own company on the regional or national economy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-15_03_B5203; source_row=21711
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Beneficiary holds an advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the Beneficiary does not possess a single foreign equivalent bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive experience, nor an advanced degree, so he cannot qualify under section 203(b)(2).

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AAO concluded the Beneficiary does not possess a single foreign equivalent bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive experience, nor an advanced degree, so he cannot qualify under section 203(b)(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-14_01_B5203; source_row=21706
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Offered position requires a professional with an advanced degree

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found, based on the O*NET code 27-3031 and the OOH entry for public relations specialist, that a baccalaureate degree is required for entry, making the offered position a professional occupation under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). AAO withdrew this portion of the Director's decision.

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AAO found, based on the O*NET code 27-3031 and the OOH entry for public relations specialist, that a baccalaureate degree is required for entry, making the offered position a professional occupation under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). AAO withdrew this portion of the Director's decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-14_01_B5203; source_row=21707
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets educational requirements of labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Beneficiary's diplomas are not shown to be equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree, and the experience-based evaluation applies only to H-1B nonimmigrant petitions, not to immigrant petitions.

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The Beneficiary's diplomas are not shown to be equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree, and the experience-based evaluation applies only to H-1B nonimmigrant petitions, not to immigrant petitions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-14_01_B5203; source_row=21705
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

Commercial Successes

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner submitted samples of music and performance evidence but did not provide the required box office receipts or music sales figures required by the regulation.

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AAO found that the Petitioner submitted samples of music and performance evidence but did not provide the required box office receipts or music sales figures required by the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-11_01_B2203; source_row=21695
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

Published Material

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that submitted materials variously lacked required elements (title, date, author), were in foreign languages without certified translations, did not relate to his work in music, or were from sources not shown to be professional or major trade publications or major media.

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AAO found that submitted materials variously lacked required elements (title, date, author), were in foreign languages without certified translations, did not relate to his work in music, or were from sources not shown to be professional or major trade publications or major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-11_01_B2203; source_row=21690
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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