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 17601–17610

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serves national interest to substantially greater degree than U.S. worker / influence on the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's awards and accolades were local in nature and did not demonstrate influence on the field of special education as a whole. Recommendation letters attested to his talent and dedication but not to wider field-level impact. Excellence in teaching and professional credentials alone do not qualify a petitioner for a national interest waiver.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Petitioner's awards and accolades were local in nature and did not demonstrate influence on the field of special education as a whole. Recommendation letters attested to his talent and dedication but not to wider field-level impact. Excellence in teaching and professional credentials alone do not qualify a petitioner for a national interest waiver.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-30_04_B5203; source_row=20724
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

What the decision said

AAO did not revisit this prong, noting the Director's finding in its favor was not at issue on appeal.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO did not revisit this prong, noting the Director's finding in its favor was not at issue on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-30_04_B5203; source_row=20722
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

Qualification via bachelor's degree plus progressive experience under Kellogg/H.9/H.14 language

Why AAO was not persuaded

Reading the ETA Form 9089 as a whole, Part H.8 indicates the Petitioner will not accept any alternate combination of education and experience, Part J.19 marks alternate combination as N/A, and Part J.11 confirms qualification based on the master's degree.…

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Reading the ETA Form 9089 as a whole, Part H.8 indicates the Petitioner will not accept any alternate combination of education and experience, Part J.19 marks alternate combination as N/A, and Part J.11 confirms qualification based on the master's degree. Kellogg language in H.14 does not override these terms, and acceptance of a foreign educational equivalent in H.9 means only a foreign master's equivalent in special education.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-30_03_B5203; source_row=20721
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary holds master's degree (or foreign equivalent) in special education

Why AAO was not persuaded

Despite two RFEs requesting documentation that the Beneficiary completed all requirements for a master's in special education, the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that 30 credits represented completion of all degree requirements (the program required at least 36 credits). The credentials evaluations also did not establish degree completion.

Why this is useful

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

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Despite two RFEs requesting documentation that the Beneficiary completed all requirements for a master's in special education, the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that 30 credits represented completion of all degree requirements (the program required at least 36 credits). The credentials evaluations also did not establish degree completion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-30_03_B5203; source_row=20720
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay the proffered wage from the priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO confirmed wages paid fell short of the proffered wage by $27,689.04 in 2014, the tax return showed net loss and net current liabilities, and the Sonegawa factors and grant funding did not bridge the gap.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO confirmed wages paid fell short of the proffered wage by $27,689.04 in 2014, the tax return showed net loss and net current liabilities, and the Sonegawa factors and grant funding did not bridge the gap.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-30_02_B5203; source_row=20717
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

job opportunity clearly open to U.S. workers / bona fide job offer

Why AAO was not persuaded

Considering the Modular Container factors, the Beneficiary's ownership interest and membership in a small employee group raise serious doubts as to whether the position was clearly open to U.S. workers.

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Considering the Modular Container factors, the Beneficiary's ownership interest and membership in a small employee group raise serious doubts as to whether the position was clearly open to U.S. workers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-30_02_B5203; source_row=20719
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

accurate disclosure of beneficiary's ownership interest on ETA Form 9089 Question C.9

Why AAO was not persuaded

The undated stock certificate showing the Beneficiary's 34,000 shares contradicts the Petitioner's negative answer to Question C.9 and constitutes an apparent material misrepresentation that must be resolved.

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The undated stock certificate showing the Beneficiary's 34,000 shares contradicts the Petitioner's negative answer to Question C.9 and constitutes an apparent material misrepresentation that must be resolved.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-30_02_B5203; source_row=20718
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the record supports the director's determination that the proposed benefit of the petitioner's research has national and international reach.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the record supports the director's determination that the proposed benefit of the petitioner's research has national and international reach.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-29_01_B5203; source_row=20712
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the record supports the director's determination that the petitioner's research in fluid mechanics and heat transfer meets the first prong.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the record supports the director's determination that the petitioner's research in fluid mechanics and heat transfer meets the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-29_01_B5203; source_row=20711
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serving the national interest substantially greater than a U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the petitioner's reference letters, publications, and research contributions did not demonstrate that her work has influenced the field as a whole. The evidence of her involvement in fire research projects was insufficiently corroborated, her publications lacked evidence of frequent independent citations, and the claimed future potential impacts had not yet materialized into actual influence.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO found the petitioner's reference letters, publications, and research contributions did not demonstrate that her work has influenced the field as a whole. The evidence of her involvement in fire research projects was insufficiently corroborated, her publications lacked evidence of frequent independent citations, and the claimed future potential impacts had not yet materialized into actual influence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-09-29_01_B5203; source_row=20713
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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