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 17371–17380

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner miscalculated the combined proffered wage difference, improperly pro-rated wages for partial-year petitions while counting full-year net current assets, and had additional pending petitions unaccounted for. The resulting unpaid difference of at least $481,752.41 exceeded net current assets of $225,755. FEIN discrepancies also rendered the 2013 tax return unreliable.

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The Petitioner miscalculated the combined proffered wage difference, improperly pro-rated wages for partial-year petitions while counting full-year net current assets, and had additional pending petitions unaccounted for. The resulting unpaid difference of at least $481,752.41 exceeded net current assets of $225,755. FEIN discrepancies also rendered the 2013 tax return unreliable.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-22_02_B5203; source_row=20965
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary meets minimum experience requirements of labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer's debarment for LCA violations, low W-2 wages in certain years suggesting part-time or non-continuous work, and payroll records issued by a different entity without any authorization agreement collectively undermine the Beneficiary's claim of 61 months of continuous full-time qualifying experience.

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The employer's debarment for LCA violations, low W-2 wages in certain years suggesting part-time or non-continuous work, and payroll records issued by a different entity without any authorization agreement collectively undermine the Beneficiary's claim of 61 months of continuous full-time qualifying experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-22_02_B5203; source_row=20966
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's 27 citations (with one article cited 22 times) and patent citations were insufficient to show major significance; expert letters spoke mainly in terms of future applicability; conference presentations and recommendation letters were not sufficient absent evidence of major impact on the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner's 27 citations (with one article cited 22 times) and patent citations were insufficient to show major significance; expert letters spoke mainly in terms of future applicability; conference presentations and recommendation letters were not sufficient absent evidence of major impact on the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=20952
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's post-doctoral title and supporting letter did not establish a leading role in the organizational hierarchy, and no evidence showed his work was responsible for the success or standing of the organization.

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The Petitioner's post-doctoral title and supporting letter did not establish a leading role in the organizational hierarchy, and no evidence showed his work was responsible for the success or standing of the organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=20954
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted job offer letters with salaries but did not provide sufficient comparative evidence showing his salary was high relative to others in the field.

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The Petitioner submitted job offer letters with salaries but did not provide sufficient comparative evidence showing his salary was high relative to others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=20955
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO stated it need not conduct a formal final merits determination but noted the aggregate record did not establish the required level of expertise for extraordinary ability classification.

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AAO stated it need not conduct a formal final merits determination but noted the aggregate record did not establish the required level of expertise for extraordinary ability classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=20956
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not address this criterion on appeal or submit new documentary evidence. The fellowship and grants lacked evidence of national or international recognition for excellence, and the award lacked evidence of such recognition.

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The Petitioner did not address this criterion on appeal or submit new documentary evidence. The fellowship and grants lacked evidence of national or international recognition for excellence, and the award lacked evidence of such recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-21_01_B2203; source_row=20950
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree (or U.S. bachelor's + 5 years progressive experience) classification eligibility

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that a 3-year foreign degree plus experience is not equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree for EB-2 advanced-degree classification purposes.

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AAO agreed that a 3-year foreign degree plus experience is not equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree for EB-2 advanced-degree classification purposes.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-21_02_B5203; source_row=20962
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay combined proffered wages of multiple sponsored beneficiaries

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that without information regarding the priority dates, proffered wages, payments, and status of the at least nine other petitions, the Petitioner could not show ability to pay the combined proffered wages.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed that without information regarding the priority dates, proffered wages, payments, and status of the at least nine other petitions, the Petitioner could not show ability to pay the combined proffered wages.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-21_02_B5203; source_row=20964
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

minimum educational credentials required by labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that the plain language of the labor certification requires a single bachelor's or foreign equivalent degree and does not permit a combination of education and experience.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO held that the plain language of the labor certification requires a single bachelor's or foreign equivalent degree and does not permit a combination of education and experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-12-21_02_B5203; source_row=20963
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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