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 17091–17100

NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesPhD

Issue evaluated

academic record

academic record / degree (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The ETA Form 9089 expressly requires a bachelor's degree in education, science, or a related field, satisfying this criterion.

Why this is useful

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The ETA Form 9089 expressly requires a bachelor's degree in education, science, or a related field, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-12_01_B5203; source_row=21261
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesPhD

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

totality-of-evidence final merits determination

What the decision said

Because fewer than three criteria are met, AAO does not proceed to the totality-of-evidence step.

Why this is useful

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Because fewer than three criteria are met, AAO does not proceed to the totality-of-evidence step.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-12_01_B5203; source_row=21267
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 certificates indicated participation and acknowledgment at exhibitions but did not show how the Petitioner's work impacted the field. The recommendation letters praised her skills but failed to explain how her contributions rose to a level of major significance. Conclusory attestations without specific examples of field-wide impact are insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

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The certificates indicated participation and acknowledgment at exhibitions but did not show how the Petitioner's work impacted the field. The recommendation letters praised her skills but failed to explain how her contributions rose to a level of major significance. Conclusory attestations without specific examples of field-wide impact are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-10_01_B2203; source_row=21257
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 AAO found that none of the submitted awards were sufficiently supported by independent, objective evidence of national or international recognition for excellence. The certificate lacked supporting documentation, the shortlist did not constitute receipt of an award, the honorable mention lacked independent corroboration of its national/international recognition, and the symposium prize was insufficiently documented as a…

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The AAO found that none of the submitted awards were sufficiently supported by independent, objective evidence of national or international recognition for excellence. The certificate lacked supporting documentation, the shortlist did not constitute receipt of an award, the honorable mention lacked independent corroboration of its national/international recognition, and the symposium prize was insufficiently documented as a recognized award for excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-10_01_B2203; source_row=21255
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

The AAO agreed that the Petitioner documented display of her work at artistic exhibitions and therefore satisfied this criterion.

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The AAO agreed that the Petitioner documented display of her work at artistic exhibitions and therefore satisfied this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-10_01_B2203; source_row=21258
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

What the decision said

The Petitioner conceded on appeal that the evidence she submitted did not satisfy this criterion, so AAO did not address it.

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The Petitioner conceded on appeal that the evidence she submitted did not satisfy this criterion, so AAO did not address it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-10_01_B2203; source_row=21259
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 AAO found that the Petitioner submitted an interview transcript published in a major media outlet and provided documentation establishing it as major media, thereby satisfying this criterion.

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The AAO found that the Petitioner submitted an interview transcript published in a major media outlet and provided documentation establishing it as major media, thereby satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-10_01_B2203; source_row=21256
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 full final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in passing that the aggregate record does not support the required level of expertise.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to conduct a full final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in passing that the aggregate record does not support the required level of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-10_01_B2203; source_row=21260
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Whether provisional certificate constitutes official academic record of degree for purposes of five-year experience calculation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO held that EB-2 regulations refer to 'degrees' rather than 'diplomas,' and that an 'official academic record' under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(B) is not limited to a formal diploma.…

Why this is useful

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AAO held that EB-2 regulations refer to 'degrees' rather than 'diplomas,' and that an 'official academic record' under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(B) is not limited to a formal diploma. After a case-specific analysis of the provisional certificate, statement of marks, registrar's letter, and AACRAO EDGE data, AAO concluded the provisional certificate evidenced completion of all substantive degree requirements and university approval as of August 2006, making it the operative date for the five-year calculation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-04-06_01_B5203; source_row=21254
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer and labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner indicated she already has a job, and the record did not explain why obtaining a labor certification would be impractical. She also failed to demonstrate her work would serve an urgent national interest or that her contributions were of such value that a waiver would be beneficial to the United States.

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 indicated she already has a job, and the record did not explain why obtaining a labor certification would be impractical. She also failed to demonstrate her work would serve an urgent national interest or that her contributions were of such value that a waiver would be beneficial to the United States.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_02_B5203; source_row=21251
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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