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 16701–16710

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 the Petitioner's proposed work had substantial merit because it improves economic and social conditions in countries facing conflict and political transition, and had national importance because it serves U.S. foreign policy and national security interests, as documented by expert letters and government reports describing the relevance of conditions in Egypt and Yemen to U.S. interests.

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 the Petitioner's proposed work had substantial merit because it improves economic and social conditions in countries facing conflict and political transition, and had national importance because it serves U.S. foreign policy and national security interests, as documented by expert letters and government reports describing the relevance of conditions in Egypt and Yemen to U.S. interests.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-11_01_B5203; source_row=21697
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's track record of success in pioneering large-scale international development projects that advance U.S. interests, combined with the fact that various government agencies have found her work promising and useful, demonstrated that her contributions would benefit the United States on balance, even assuming other qualified U.S. workers were available.

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 found that the Petitioner's track record of success in pioneering large-scale international development projects that advance U.S. interests, combined with the fact that various government agencies have found her work promising and useful, demonstrated that her contributions would benefit the United States on balance, even assuming other qualified U.S. workers were available.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-11_01_B5203; source_row=21699
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 explicitly reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, though noted in dicta the record does not support the required level of expertise.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, though noted in dicta the record does not support the required level of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-11_01_B2203; source_row=21696
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

Artistic Display

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion because he displayed his work at festivals and concerts, including the 2010 international festival in Bulgaria.

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AAO found that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion because he displayed his work at festivals and concerts, including the 2010 international festival in Bulgaria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-11_01_B2203; source_row=21692
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

labor certification supports advanced degree professional classification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO held that Kellogg language is a regulatory requirement that does not materially affect interpretation of the stated minimum requirements; reading the labor certification as a whole, the position requires a master's degree in finance plus 12 months of experience.

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AAO held that Kellogg language is a regulatory requirement that does not materially affect interpretation of the stated minimum requirements; reading the labor certification as a whole, the position requires a master's degree in finance plus 12 months of experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-10_02_B5203; source_row=21686
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

five years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Indian employer's offer letter and final settlement did not describe the Beneficiary's duties, co-worker affidavits did not satisfy 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) and lacked foundation for personal knowledge, and the earlier employer's experience predated the provisional certificate.

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The Indian employer's offer letter and final settlement did not describe the Beneficiary's duties, co-worker affidavits did not satisfy 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) and lacked foundation for personal knowledge, and the earlier employer's experience predated the provisional certificate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-10_01_B5203; source_row=21684
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacked documentation of the proffered wages of 11 other pending or approved petitions, wages paid to those beneficiaries, and the disposition of those petitions.

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The record lacked documentation of the proffered wages of 11 other pending or approved petitions, wages paid to those beneficiaries, and the disposition of those petitions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-10_01_B5203; source_row=21685
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

minimum education required for the offered position

Why the evidence was persuasive

Under Matter of O-A-, Inc., the provisional certificate and marks statement demonstrated completion of all substantive degree requirements and university approval as of March 22, 2010, satisfying the educational requirement.

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Under Matter of O-A-, Inc., the provisional certificate and marks statement demonstrated completion of all substantive degree requirements and university approval as of March 22, 2010, satisfying the educational requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-10_01_B5203; source_row=21683
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record insufficient to confirm the fencing medals from the games are major, internationally recognized awards. Significant media coverage outside Israel was not documented, and a quoted statement that the award was 'just a [REDACTED]' undermined the claim.

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AAO found the record insufficient to confirm the fencing medals from the games are major, internationally recognized awards. Significant media coverage outside Israel was not documented, and a quoted statement that the award was 'just a [REDACTED]' undermined the claim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-08_01_B2203; source_row=21677
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 in major media about the alien

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO could only consider the two articles with certified translations. One was about the Petitioner but in a publication without documented circulation, and the other was not about the Petitioner. Fencing website materials and university publications also failed to qualify as major media about the Petitioner.

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AAO could only consider the two articles with certified translations. One was about the Petitioner but in a publication without documented circulation, and the other was not about the Petitioner. Fencing website materials and university publications also failed to qualify as major media about the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-08-08_01_B2203; source_row=21680
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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