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 17031–17040

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

five years post-baccalaureate experience

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO held that a case-specific analysis is required to determine whether an official academic record shows completion of all degree requirements and university approval of the degree. The provisional certificate and marks memorandum established that all requirements were met as of May 18, 2008, making all subsequent experience post-baccalaureate and satisfying the five-year requirement.

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AAO held that a case-specific analysis is required to determine whether an official academic record shows completion of all degree requirements and university approval of the degree. The provisional certificate and marks memorandum established that all requirements were met as of May 18, 2008, making all subsequent experience post-baccalaureate and satisfying the five-year requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-05-01_01_B5203; source_row=21329
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets specific skills requirements of labor certification (H.14)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO raised an additional basis for denial sua sponte: the record does not establish that the Beneficiary possessed the required specific skills (MS Office, SQL, C, JD Edwards, Access, Front Page) prior to employment with the Petitioner, and his experience in the offered position cannot be used to satisfy these requirements per 20 C.F.R. § 656.17(h).

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The AAO raised an additional basis for denial sua sponte: the record does not establish that the Beneficiary possessed the required specific skills (MS Office, SQL, C, JD Edwards, Access, Front Page) prior to employment with the Petitioner, and his experience in the offered position cannot be used to satisfy these requirements per 20 C.F.R. § 656.17(h).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-27_03_B5203; source_row=21328
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets educational requirements of labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed that a degree from an unaccredited institution does not provide sufficient assurance of quality to satisfy a labor certification requirement for a master's degree, and rejected the argument that ICE enrollment approval for foreign students bears on this determination.

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The AAO agreed that a degree from an unaccredited institution does not provide sufficient assurance of quality to satisfy a labor certification requirement for a master's degree, and rejected the argument that ICE enrollment approval for foreign students bears on this determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-27_03_B5203; source_row=21327
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

five years of post-baccalaureate qualifying experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

Only experience after October 13, 2009 (the date the diploma was awarded) counts as post-baccalaureate, and the single employer letter documents only about four years of such experience.

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Only experience after October 13, 2009 (the date the diploma was awarded) counts as post-baccalaureate, and the single employer letter documents only about four years of such experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-27_01_B5203; source_row=21324
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

foreign equivalent of U.S. bachelor's degree

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO held the post graduate diploma alone equates to a U.S. bachelor's degree without combining lesser credentials, and the record actually documents the Beneficiary's completion of multiple computer-related undergraduate courses.

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AAO held the post graduate diploma alone equates to a U.S. bachelor's degree without combining lesser credentials, and the record actually documents the Beneficiary's completion of multiple computer-related undergraduate courses.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-27_01_B5203; source_row=21323
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

Missing 2015 ability-to-pay evidence and missing documentation regarding the 40+ other petitions and their beneficiaries' wages and statuses.

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Missing 2015 ability-to-pay evidence and missing documentation regarding the 40+ other petitions and their beneficiaries' wages and statuses.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-27_01_B5203; source_row=21325
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage from priority date onward

Why AAO was not persuaded

Net income of $72,293 (correctly read from Schedule K, not $82,346 as Petitioner claimed) is below the $91,586 wage shortfall; net current assets are negative; prorating is not supported by the evidence; bank statements alone do not establish sustainable ability to pay; and 2016 audited financials are from a year after the priority date and do not cure the lack of documentation about the wages owed to other sponsored benefi…

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Net income of $72,293 (correctly read from Schedule K, not $82,346 as Petitioner claimed) is below the $91,586 wage shortfall; net current assets are negative; prorating is not supported by the evidence; bank statements alone do not establish sustainable ability to pay; and 2016 audited financials are from a year after the priority date and do not cure the lack of documentation about the wages owed to other sponsored beneficiaries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-27_02_B5203; source_row=21326
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO did not conduct a full Kazarian step-2 analysis because the Petitioner failed to meet three criteria, but noted in the aggregate the record does not show the required level of expertise.

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The AAO did not conduct a full Kazarian step-2 analysis because the Petitioner failed to meet three criteria, but noted in the aggregate the record does not show the required level of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-26_03_B2203; source_row=21319
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

The Petitioner failed to establish that the sources were professional or major trade publications or other major media, most articles lacked required title, date, and author information, and the articles were about community projects rather than about the Beneficiary himself.

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The Petitioner failed to establish that the sources were professional or major trade publications or other major media, most articles lacked required title, date, and author information, and the articles were about community projects rather than about the Beneficiary himself.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-26_03_B2203; source_row=21316
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The awards from the local Nigerian district organization were not shown to be nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field. Additionally, some awards were conferred on the local club rather than the Beneficiary personally, and the Petitioner did not establish they should be attributed to him personally.

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The awards from the local Nigerian district organization were not shown to be nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field. Additionally, some awards were conferred on the local club rather than the Beneficiary personally, and the Petitioner did not establish they should be attributed to him personally.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-26_03_B2203; source_row=21314
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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