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 17151–17160

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

Net income was negative in 2013 and only $57,233 in 2014 (below the $58,000 proffered wage). Net current assets were also insufficient in both years. The Petitioner's attempt to use full-year net current assets to cover one month of wages was methodologically flawed.…

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Net income was negative in 2013 and only $57,233 in 2014 (below the $58,000 proffered wage). Net current assets were also insufficient in both years. The Petitioner's attempt to use full-year net current assets to cover one month of wages was methodologically flawed. Although Sonegawa factors (long operation history, employee growth, revenue growth, good reputation, uncharacteristic 2013 relocation expenses) were present, the failure to demonstrate ability to pay in two consecutive years — with uncharacteristic expenses explaining only one — precluded a finding of ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-21_02_B5203; source_row=21205
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Materials SciencePhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the record sufficiently established that the proposed endeavor—developing safer and more productive mining processes at one of North America's largest mines—has positive economic and environmental effects extending beyond the Petitioner's employer to the broader mining industry and U.S. economy.

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The AAO found the record sufficiently established that the proposed endeavor—developing safer and more productive mining processes at one of North America's largest mines—has positive economic and environmental effects extending beyond the Petitioner's employer to the broader mining industry and U.S. economy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-20_01_B5203; source_row=21199
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Materials SciencePhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

On balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer requirement

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO concluded that because the Petitioner's leadership experience, proven innovation, and creative problem-solving in the mining industry cannot be articulated in a standard labor certification, and because his work benefits the United States even assuming other qualified U.S. workers are available, it is beneficial on balance to waive the job offer requirement.

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The AAO concluded that because the Petitioner's leadership experience, proven innovation, and creative problem-solving in the mining industry cannot be articulated in a standard labor certification, and because his work benefits the United States even assuming other qualified U.S. workers are available, it is beneficial on balance to waive the job offer requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-20_01_B5203; source_row=21201
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Materials SciencePhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

Well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found that while citation history can be useful, the aggregate evidence showed that the Petitioner's work has found practical industrial application, his leadership on multi-million dollar projects at a major mine, and his influence on independent mining companies established that he is well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.

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The AAO found that while citation history can be useful, the aggregate evidence showed that the Petitioner's work has found practical industrial application, his leadership on multi-million dollar projects at a major mine, and his influence on independent mining companies established that he is well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-20_01_B5203; source_row=21200
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the proposed work had substantial merit in offering accounting and bookkeeping services but lacked national importance. The five-year hiring projection of only five employees and local clientele focus did not demonstrate impact beyond a particular pool of customers or broader implications for the field.

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AAO found the proposed work had substantial merit in offering accounting and bookkeeping services but lacked national importance. The five-year hiring projection of only five employees and local clientele focus did not demonstrate impact beyond a particular pool of customers or broader implications for the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-16_01_B5203; source_row=21196
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO acknowledged the impracticality of obtaining a job offer given the Petitioner's self-employed status, but found she had not shown a significant benefit to the United States or an urgent national interest warranting the waiver.

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AAO acknowledged the impracticality of obtaining a job offer given the Petitioner's self-employed status, but found she had not shown a significant benefit to the United States or an urgent national interest warranting the waiver.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-16_01_B5203; source_row=21198
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's prior business showed modest financials and no significant job creation, her appellate submission lacked business records showing current progress, her former-employer letters demonstrated budget administration skills in institutional settings not directly transferable to running a small financial consultancy, and her pension administration work did not show she was well positioned.

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AAO found the Petitioner's prior business showed modest financials and no significant job creation, her appellate submission lacked business records showing current progress, her former-employer letters demonstrated budget administration skills in institutional settings not directly transferable to running a small financial consultancy, and her pension administration work did not show she was well positioned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-16_01_B5203; source_row=21197
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

AAO concluded that the totality of the Petitioner's evidence—competition finishes mostly in amateur and rising star divisions, limited and incidental press coverage, judging only at youth/amateur events, and salary within the national average—does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.

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AAO concluded that the totality of the Petitioner's evidence—competition finishes mostly in amateur and rising star divisions, limited and incidental press coverage, judging only at youth/amateur events, and salary within the national average—does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-16_01_B2203; source_row=21195
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the judging criterion met based on new evidence submitted on appeal showing the Petitioner served on a judging panel for juvenile, junior, and youth categories at competitions in Belarus.

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AAO found the judging criterion met based on new evidence submitted on appeal showing the Petitioner served on a judging panel for juvenile, junior, and youth categories at competitions in Belarus.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-16_01_B2203; source_row=21193
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found and AAO affirmed that the Petitioner met the awards criterion based on a second-place finish at the 2014 competition.

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The Director found and AAO affirmed that the Petitioner met the awards criterion based on a second-place finish at the 2014 competition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2017-03-16_01_B2203; source_row=21192
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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