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 17611770

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences23 papers224 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, citing Bagamasbad. AAO nonetheless noted in dicta that the record does not show the requisite sustained acclaim.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, citing Bagamasbad. AAO nonetheless noted in dicta that the record does not show the requisite sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_02_B2203; source_row=42579
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the submitted Egyptian statute only establishes that Appellate-level registration requires five years of experience, which is not an outstanding achievement, and the Petitioner offered no corroborated evidence of outstanding achievement requirements or expert judging beyond unsubstantiated assertions in a brief.

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AAO found that the submitted Egyptian statute only establishes that Appellate-level registration requires five years of experience, which is not an outstanding achievement, and the Petitioner offered no corroborated evidence of outstanding achievement requirements or expert judging beyond unsubstantiated assertions in a brief.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_04_B2203; source_row=42597
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidentiary threshold, though it noted in passing that the record would not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidentiary threshold, though it noted in passing that the record would not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_04_B2203; source_row=42601
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

AAO reserved this criterion because even a favorable finding could not change the outcome of the appeal, as the Petitioner already failed to satisfy at least three criteria.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved this criterion because even a favorable finding could not change the outcome of the appeal, as the Petitioner already failed to satisfy at least three criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_04_B2203; source_row=42600
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

What the decision said

AAO deemed the criterion waived on appeal because the Petitioner addressed it only in a perfunctory manner without any developed argumentation.

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AAO deemed the criterion waived on appeal because the Petitioner addressed it only in a perfunctory manner without any developed argumentation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_04_B2203; source_row=42599
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision, agreeing that the record does not sufficiently describe a cognizable endeavor. Simply being employed in an occupation does not constitute an endeavor for NIW purposes; the Petitioner needed to describe specific types of work he proposes to undertake within that occupation.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision, agreeing that the record does not sufficiently describe a cognizable endeavor. Simply being employed in an occupation does not constitute an endeavor for NIW purposes; the Petitioner needed to describe specific types of work he proposes to undertake within that occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-08_03_B5203; source_row=42594
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPostdoctoral Researcher14 papers14 reviews

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds the letters describe the Petitioner's value to her employers but do not show field-wide impact. Citations, impact factor, conferences, and awards do not by themselves demonstrate major significance, and the awards' relevance to this criterion was not shown.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO finds the letters describe the Petitioner's value to her employers but do not show field-wide impact. Citations, impact factor, conferences, and awards do not by themselves demonstrate major significance, and the awards' relevance to this criterion was not shown.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B2203; source_row=42542
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

AAO reaffirmed its prior finding that the Petitioner's evidence does not demonstrate the national importance of her proposed endeavor as a special needs educator, and that the same evidence and assertions do not warrant reconsideration.

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 reaffirmed its prior finding that the Petitioner's evidence does not demonstrate the national importance of her proposed endeavor as a special needs educator, and that the same evidence and assertions do not warrant reconsideration.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_02_B5203; source_row=42550
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner materially changed her proposed endeavor from endodontist to entrepreneur/dental assistant trainer, creating ambiguity precluding assessment of the endeavor. Even analyzing the initial endodontist endeavor, the evidence addressed only the importance of dentistry generally and the petitioner's individual skills, not the broader national implications of her specific proposed work.…

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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The Petitioner materially changed her proposed endeavor from endodontist to entrepreneur/dental assistant trainer, creating ambiguity precluding assessment of the endeavor. Even analyzing the initial endodontist endeavor, the evidence addressed only the importance of dentistry generally and the petitioner's individual skills, not the broader national implications of her specific proposed work. A shortage of occupational skills does not render an endeavor nationally important under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B5203; source_row=42547
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong two because prong one was dispositive against the Petitioner.

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AAO did not reach prong two because prong one was dispositive against the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B5203; source_row=42548
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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