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 17101–17110

NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted evidence related to the Petitioner's experience as a public interest lawyer, but her described proposed endeavor in the RFE response was primarily as a tax lawyer. Without evidence of prior experience providing legal taxation advice, the AAO could not conclude she is well positioned to advance that endeavor.

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The submitted evidence related to the Petitioner's experience as a public interest lawyer, but her described proposed endeavor in the RFE response was primarily as a tax lawyer. Without evidence of prior experience providing legal taxation advice, the AAO could not conclude she is well positioned to advance that endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_02_B5203; source_row=21250
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that while the Petitioner's legal work has substantial merit, she did not show her endeavor is of national importance. Her prospective impact on tax collection was too attenuated, and the geographic diversity of her clientele does not by itself establish broader field-level implications rising to the level of national importance.

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The AAO found that while the Petitioner's legal work has substantial merit, she did not show her endeavor is of national importance. Her prospective impact on tax collection was too attenuated, and the geographic diversity of her clientele does not by itself establish broader field-level implications rising to the level of national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_02_B5203; source_row=21249
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience measured from degree conferral date

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO held that regulations speak in terms of 'degrees,' not 'diplomas,' and that an 'official academic record' is not limited to a formal diploma. Based on the provisional certificate, statement of marks, and AACRAO EDGE information confirming that Indian provisional degree certificates evidence completion of all degree requirements, AAO found that the Beneficiary's degree was conferred on October 15, 2008, and that she had…

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AAO held that regulations speak in terms of 'degrees,' not 'diplomas,' and that an 'official academic record' is not limited to a formal diploma. Based on the provisional certificate, statement of marks, and AACRAO EDGE information confirming that Indian provisional degree certificates evidence completion of all degree requirements, AAO found that the Beneficiary's degree was conferred on October 15, 2008, and that she had the requisite five years of qualifying experience measured from that date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_03_B5203; source_row=21252
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

five years of post-baccalaureate progressive experience / advanced degree equivalent

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO held that the provisional certificate, issued August 19, 2005, constituted the official academic record of the Beneficiary's degree because it reflected that all substantive requirements were met and the university had approved the degree. Measuring from that earlier date, the Beneficiary had more than five years of qualifying progressive experience by his December 23, 2014 priority date.…

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AAO held that the provisional certificate, issued August 19, 2005, constituted the official academic record of the Beneficiary's degree because it reflected that all substantive requirements were met and the university had approved the degree. Measuring from that earlier date, the Beneficiary had more than five years of qualifying progressive experience by his December 23, 2014 priority date. The formal diploma's later issuance was a mere administrative formality.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_04_B5203; source_row=21253
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Foreign equivalent of a bachelor's degree in required field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO consulted EDGE, which confirms that an Indian bachelor of science degree equates to only 2–3 years of U.S. university study, and that an Indian master of computer applications degree is comparable to a degree in computer application, not computer science. The two credentials evaluations differ from EDGE and are given less weight.…

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AAO consulted EDGE, which confirms that an Indian bachelor of science degree equates to only 2–3 years of U.S. university study, and that an Indian master of computer applications degree is comparable to a degree in computer application, not computer science. The two credentials evaluations differ from EDGE and are given less weight. Because the labor certification requires computer science with no alternate field listed, neither degree individually nor both combined satisfy the minimum educational requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_01_B5203; source_row=21247
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO independently analyzed the ability-to-pay issue and found the record insufficient. The Petitioner's documentation revealed large gaps between proffered and actual wages paid to dozens of beneficiaries, missing tax returns for the priority-date year, and unexplained discrepancies between the number of petitions filed and beneficiaries listed.

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AAO independently analyzed the ability-to-pay issue and found the record insufficient. The Petitioner's documentation revealed large gaps between proffered and actual wages paid to dozens of beneficiaries, missing tax returns for the priority-date year, and unexplained discrepancies between the number of petitions filed and beneficiaries listed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_01_B5203; source_row=21248
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 record contains numerous articles and postings about the Petitioner, supporting the Director's finding that the published material criterion is met.

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The record contains numerous articles and postings about the Petitioner, supporting the Director's finding that the published material criterion is met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_01_B2203; source_row=21243
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the Petitioner demonstrated sustained national and international acclaim through extensive media coverage, placement of her songs in major TV shows and a feature film, collaboration and touring with acclaimed artists, and co-production of an award-winning album.

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The AAO found the Petitioner demonstrated sustained national and international acclaim through extensive media coverage, placement of her songs in major TV shows and a feature film, collaboration and touring with acclaimed artists, and co-production of an award-winning album.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_01_B2203; source_row=21246
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the Petitioner satisfied the original contributions criterion because she co-produced an album that received a major award, which the Director had not credited.

Why this is useful

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The AAO found the Petitioner satisfied the original contributions criterion because she co-produced an album that received a major award, which the Director had not credited.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_01_B2203; source_row=21245
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director determined that the Petitioner met the display criterion based on her performances and concerts in Australia and the United States, and the AAO affirmed this finding.

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The Director determined that the Petitioner met the display criterion based on her performances and concerts in Australia and the United States, and the AAO affirmed this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-31_01_B2203; source_row=21244
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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