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 17511760

NIWEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

exceptional ability final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded the Petitioner provided sufficient evidence — including co-development of an application widely adopted by medical research institutions and involvement in NIH-coordinated research, supported by numerous letters and industry articles — to demonstrate the requisite degree of expertise.

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AAO concluded the Petitioner provided sufficient evidence — including co-development of an application widely adopted by medical research institutions and involvement in NIH-coordinated research, supported by numerous letters and industry articles — to demonstrate the requisite degree of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_02_B5203; source_row=42580
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO did not finally resolve national importance but determined the Director applied an overly narrow economic-impact lens and remanded for consideration of impact on science, technology, health, education, and critical/emerging STEM areas under 6 USCIS Policy Manual F.5(D)(1)-(2).

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AAO did not finally resolve national importance but determined the Director applied an overly narrow economic-impact lens and remanded for consideration of impact on science, technology, health, education, and critical/emerging STEM areas under 6 USCIS Policy Manual F.5(D)(1)-(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_02_B5203; source_row=42581
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

The AAO expressly reserved judgment on the second prong because the failure on the first prong is dispositive and renders a finding on the second prong unnecessary.

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The AAO expressly reserved judgment on the second prong because the failure on the first prong is dispositive and renders a finding on the second prong unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_05_B5203; source_row=42606
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

The AAO expressly reserved judgment on the third prong because the failure on the first prong is dispositive and renders a finding on the third prong unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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The AAO expressly reserved judgment on the third prong because the failure on the first prong is dispositive and renders a finding on the third prong unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_05_B5203; source_row=42607
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed that the generalized information does not address the Petitioner's specific endeavor or its potential prospective national impact. The publications describe industry-wide topics rather than how the Petitioner's independent contracting work may have national or global implications within the field of automotive manufacturing, significant potential to employ U.S.…

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The AAO agreed that the generalized information does not address the Petitioner's specific endeavor or its potential prospective national impact. The publications describe industry-wide topics rather than how the Petitioner's independent contracting work may have national or global implications within the field of automotive manufacturing, significant potential to employ U.S. workers, or other substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_05_B5203; source_row=42605
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO noted the Director made conflicting statements and directed that on remand the Director must clearly articulate its conclusion as to the first prong.

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AAO noted the Director made conflicting statements and directed that on remand the Director must clearly articulate its conclusion as to the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_01_B5203; source_row=42565
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO found the Director failed to apply USCIS Policy Manual guidance for STEM/critical and emerging technology petitioners, which outlines a specific combination of positive factors (advanced STEM degree, work furthering critical/emerging technology, well-positioned to advance a STEM endeavor of national importance) rather than the degree-of-influence standard the Director applied.

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AAO found the Director failed to apply USCIS Policy Manual guidance for STEM/critical and emerging technology petitioners, which outlines a specific combination of positive factors (advanced STEM degree, work furthering critical/emerging technology, well-positioned to advance a STEM endeavor of national importance) rather than the degree-of-influence standard the Director applied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_01_B5203; source_row=42567
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not separately analyze prong 2 on appeal, as the matter was remanded on other grounds. The Director's finding of met on prong 2 was not challenged.

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AAO did not separately analyze prong 2 on appeal, as the matter was remanded on other grounds. The Director's finding of met on prong 2 was not challenged.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_01_B5203; source_row=42566
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences23 papers224 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles in the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that criterion (vi) was met; the Petitioner reasserted this on appeal and AAO's analysis focuses solely on criterion (v).

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AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that criterion (vi) was met; the Petitioner reasserted this on appeal and AAO's analysis focuses solely on criterion (v).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_02_B2203; source_row=42574
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences23 papers224 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that criterion (iv) was met; the Petitioner reasserted this on appeal and AAO's analysis focuses solely on criterion (v).

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AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that criterion (iv) was met; the Petitioner reasserted this on appeal and AAO's analysis focuses solely on criterion (v).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_02_B2203; source_row=42572
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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