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 17801–17810

NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agrees the proposed benefit will be national in scope.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO agrees the proposed benefit will be national in scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-04_01_B5203; source_row=20515
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serve the national interest to a substantially greater degree than an available U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees with the Director that the Petitioner has not demonstrated influence on the field as a whole. Reference letters and project documentation lack specific examples of impact, and online availability of curriculum materials does not by itself show widespread use or influence. Volunteering and unique skills do not establish the required 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 agrees with the Director that the Petitioner has not demonstrated influence on the field as a whole. Reference letters and project documentation lack specific examples of impact, and online availability of curriculum materials does not by itself show widespread use or influence. Volunteering and unique skills do not establish the required influence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-04_01_B5203; source_row=20516
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agrees that the Petitioner's work in microbiology/food safety is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.

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 agrees that the Petitioner's work in microbiology/food safety is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-04_01_B5203; source_row=20514
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The reference letters focused on specific project successes without demonstrating impact on the field as a whole, praised skills and traits without tying them to original contributions of major significance, and repeated regulatory language without explaining how the contributions influenced the field. Having a diverse skill set is not itself a contribution of major significance.

Why this is useful

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

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The reference letters focused on specific project successes without demonstrating impact on the field as a whole, praised skills and traits without tying them to original contributions of major significance, and repeated regulatory language without explaining how the contributions influenced the field. Having a diverse skill set is not itself a contribution of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-03_01_B2203; source_row=20505
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's documentation showed only that a project was presented at a conference; there was no evidence she received the claimed award or that it is nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in her field.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner's documentation showed only that a project was presented at a conference; there was no evidence she received the claimed award or that it is nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in her field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-03_01_B2203; source_row=20503
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

The material must be about the petitioner and published in professional or major trade publications or other major media. Submission of the Petitioner's own artistic work does not satisfy the criterion, and self-authored documents do not constitute published material about the Petitioner. Additionally, certain documents lacked required English translations.

Why this is useful

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

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The material must be about the petitioner and published in professional or major trade publications or other major media. Submission of the Petitioner's own artistic work does not satisfy the criterion, and self-authored documents do not constitute published material about the Petitioner. Additionally, certain documents lacked required English translations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-03_01_B2203; source_row=20504
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

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 given failure at step 1, but noted the aggregate record does not support a finding that the Petitioner has established the required level of expertise.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO stated it need not conduct a formal final merits determination given failure at step 1, but noted the aggregate record does not support a finding that the Petitioner has established the required level of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-03_01_B2203; source_row=20508
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's salary was at the high national average but below the high California regional average where she resides. Her earnings did not establish a high salary in relation to others in the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner's salary was at the high national average but below the high California regional average where she resides. Her earnings did not establish a high salary in relation to others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-03_01_B2203; source_row=20507
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

artistic display

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the Petitioner's documentation of her work exhibited at conferences and at a showcase in Italy supported a finding that this criterion was met.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed the Petitioner's documentation of her work exhibited at conferences and at a showcase in Italy supported a finding that this criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-03_01_B2203; source_row=20506
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Wages paid to the Beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Form W-2 for 2008 shows the Petitioner paid the Beneficiary only $62,114.16, less than the $65,000 proffered wage, so the Petitioner could not rely on the full-wage-paid exception and was required to demonstrate ability to pay combined proffered wages for all pending petitions.

Why this is useful

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

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The Form W-2 for 2008 shows the Petitioner paid the Beneficiary only $62,114.16, less than the $65,000 proffered wage, so the Petitioner could not rely on the full-wage-paid exception and was required to demonstrate ability to pay combined proffered wages for all pending petitions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-08-03_01_B5203; source_row=20509
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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