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 17111–17120

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

5 years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO independently issued a NOID and concludes the supplemented record (including the expert opinion and offer letters lacking duties and dates) still fails to reliably establish the Beneficiary's duties or dates of employment with the two prior employers. The Petitioner's claimed in-house systems administrator employment, even if accepted, lasted only 2 years, too brief to qualify.

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AAO independently issued a NOID and concludes the supplemented record (including the expert opinion and offer letters lacking duties and dates) still fails to reliably establish the Beneficiary's duties or dates of employment with the two prior employers. The Petitioner's claimed in-house systems administrator employment, even if accepted, lasted only 2 years, too brief to qualify.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-30_01_B5203; source_row=21241
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

bona fide job opportunity open to U.S. workers (alien influence/control)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds the submitted materials non-responsive: they do not document the Petitioner's ownership history or substantiate that the Beneficiary's identification as a managing partner was an error, and the December 7, 2016 letter to Illinois sought only to 'update' rather than correct records. The revocation of the Illinois registration in 2011 does not show the Beneficiary ceased to be a managing partner.

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AAO finds the submitted materials non-responsive: they do not document the Petitioner's ownership history or substantiate that the Beneficiary's identification as a managing partner was an error, and the December 7, 2016 letter to Illinois sought only to 'update' rather than correct records. The revocation of the Illinois registration in 2011 does not show the Beneficiary ceased to be a managing partner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-30_01_B5203; source_row=21242
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) willful misrepresentation finding / labor certification invalidation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concludes the record does not contain sufficient evidence to support a finding of willful misrepresentation of a material fact and reinstates the labor certification.

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AAO concludes the record does not contain sufficient evidence to support a finding of willful misrepresentation of a material fact and reinstates the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-30_01_B5203; source_row=21240
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

labor certification supports requested EB-2 advanced-degree classification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO finds the Director's reliance on Matter of Shah misplaced because the labor certification refers to a 3-year foreign equivalent degree, not a 3-year foreign degree, and such equivalent degrees exist (e.g., certain UK 3-year baccalaureates).

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AAO finds the Director's reliance on Matter of Shah misplaced because the labor certification refers to a 3-year foreign equivalent degree, not a 3-year foreign degree, and such equivalent degrees exist (e.g., certain UK 3-year baccalaureates).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-30_01_B5203; source_row=21239
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherEngineer

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that while the Petitioner's work has substantial merit, she failed to demonstrate that her proposed endeavor has national importance because the record did not show her work offers original innovations or has broader implications beyond her company and its business partners in the petroleum engineering field.

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The AAO found that while the Petitioner's work has substantial merit, she failed to demonstrate that her proposed endeavor has national importance because the record did not show her work offers original innovations or has broader implications beyond her company and its business partners in the petroleum engineering field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-29_01_B5203; source_row=21228
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherEngineer

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO acknowledged that some of the Petitioner's knowledge may exceed minimum job requirements, but found that she had not shown a significant benefit to the United States through her proposed endeavor, had not demonstrated an urgent national interest, had not shown safety innovations benefiting the nation if other qualified workers were available, and that the factors cited do not outweigh the benefits inherent in the la…

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The AAO acknowledged that some of the Petitioner's knowledge may exceed minimum job requirements, but found that she had not shown a significant benefit to the United States through her proposed endeavor, had not demonstrated an urgent national interest, had not shown safety innovations benefiting the nation if other qualified workers were available, and that the factors cited do not outweigh the benefits inherent in the labor certification process.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-29_01_B5203; source_row=21230
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

24 months qualifying experience in marketing management per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letters failed to provide a specific description of duties performed as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1), offering only vague descriptions. Additionally, the Beneficiary's employment history from 2003–2006 was described inconsistently across multiple petitions and tax documents (W-2s showing tips indicating a server/gaucho role), and the Petitioner did not sufficiently overcome these inconsistencies.

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The employer letters failed to provide a specific description of duties performed as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1), offering only vague descriptions. Additionally, the Beneficiary's employment history from 2003–2006 was described inconsistently across multiple petitions and tax documents (W-2s showing tips indicating a server/gaucho role), and the Petitioner did not sufficiently overcome these inconsistencies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-29_05_B5203; source_row=21238
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AISoftware Engineer

Issue evaluated

other

intent to employ at location stated on labor certification

What the decision said

AAO disagreed that the prior NJ employment defeats the petition but found a USCIS site visit raised separate concerns about onsite employment capacity, warranting remand.

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AAO disagreed that the prior NJ employment defeats the petition but found a USCIS site visit raised separate concerns about onsite employment capacity, warranting remand.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-29_02_B5203; source_row=21231
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AISoftware Engineer

Issue evaluated

other

60 months of qualifying experience with required SAP skills

Why AAO was not persuaded

The prior employer letter omits many of the specific SAP technologies and skills listed in the labor certification, and the Beneficiary's experience with the Petitioner in the same role cannot be counted under DOL regulations.

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The prior employer letter omits many of the specific SAP technologies and skills listed in the labor certification, and the Beneficiary's experience with the Petitioner in the same role cannot be counted under DOL regulations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-29_02_B5203; source_row=21234
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AISoftware Engineer

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record insufficient to establish ability to pay and rejected the petitioner's argument that the RFE for other-beneficiary information was improper.

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AAO found the record insufficient to establish ability to pay and rejected the petitioner's argument that the RFE for other-beneficiary information was improper.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-29_02_B5203; source_row=21233
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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