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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 17711780

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent

Why the evidence was persuasive

AACRAO's EDGE database confirms the Brazilian título de cirurgião dentista is the foreign equivalent of a U.S. first professional degree in dentistry, satisfying the advanced degree requirement. A previously overlooked course evaluation report in the record supported this conclusion.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AACRAO's EDGE database confirms the Brazilian título de cirurgião dentista is the foreign equivalent of a U.S. first professional degree in dentistry, satisfying the advanced degree requirement. A previously overlooked course evaluation report in the record supported this conclusion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B5203; source_row=42546
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

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

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO did not reach prong three because prong one was dispositive against the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B5203; source_row=42549
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPostdoctoral Researcher14 papers14 reviews

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the certificate lacks specific, detailed information (no names, paper titles, or dates) and the mentor letters use identical, vague language. AAO does not reach the Director's signature-credibility concern.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

View full reasoning +
AAO agrees the certificate lacks specific, detailed information (no names, paper titles, or dates) and the mentor letters use identical, vague language. AAO does not reach the Director's signature-credibility concern.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B2203; source_row=42541
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPostdoctoral Researcher14 papers14 reviews

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

What the decision said

Petitioner did not contest this criterion on appeal; AAO deems it waived.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Petitioner did not contest this criterion on appeal; AAO deems it waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B2203; source_row=42540
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPostdoctoral Researcher14 papers14 reviews

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO reserves the final merits determination but observes the record in aggregate would not show sustained acclaim or top-of-field status.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO reserves the final merits determination but observes the record in aggregate would not show sustained acclaim or top-of-field status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B2203; source_row=42545
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPostdoctoral Researcher14 papers14 reviews

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepts the Director's finding that this criterion is met; not contested on appeal.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

View full reasoning +
AAO accepts the Director's finding that this criterion is met; not contested on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B2203; source_row=42543
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPostdoctoral Researcher14 papers14 reviews

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

Petitioner did not challenge the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal; AAO deems it waived.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Petitioner did not challenge the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal; AAO deems it waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-07_01_B2203; source_row=42539
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the record did support substantial merit given the importance of the financial managers field, but agreed that national importance was not established. The Petitioner did not show that her work would result in broader implications beyond immediate benefits to her employers or customers, failed to explain how her use of emerging technologies would impact the industry at a national level, and lacked evidence of…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the record did support substantial merit given the importance of the financial managers field, but agreed that national importance was not established. The Petitioner did not show that her work would result in broader implications beyond immediate benefits to her employers or customers, failed to explain how her use of emerging technologies would impact the industry at a national level, and lacked evidence of projected employment or substantial economic effects attributable to her specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-06_04_B5203; source_row=42536
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding because physical therapy customarily requires a DPT degree, and the regulation expressly prohibits substituting education-plus-experience when a doctoral degree is customarily required. The Petitioner's credential evaluation showed only a bachelor's-level 'Licentiate in Physical Therapy,' not a DPT equivalent.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO withdrew the Director's finding because physical therapy customarily requires a DPT degree, and the regulation expressly prohibits substituting education-plus-experience when a doctoral degree is customarily required. The Petitioner's credential evaluation showed only a bachelor's-level 'Licentiate in Physical Therapy,' not a DPT equivalent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-06_02_B5203; source_row=42532
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision on national importance, agreeing that the Petitioner's initial proposed endeavor of working as a physical therapist specialist was not shown to be nationally important, and that the post-filing home care company claims cannot be considered.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision on national importance, agreeing that the Petitioner's initial proposed endeavor of working as a physical therapist specialist was not shown to be nationally important, and that the post-filing home care company claims cannot be considered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-01-06_02_B5203; source_row=42533
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
Back to assessment