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 18021–18030

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's 2014 net income ($52,205) was insufficient to cover combined proffered wages of $69,660 for the Beneficiary and Mr. F-. Net current assets were negative in both 2013 and 2014. The argument that Mr. A-'s former wages could be redirected failed because there was no evidence the Beneficiary was replacing Mr. A- or that their positions involved the same duties.…

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The Petitioner's 2014 net income ($52,205) was insufficient to cover combined proffered wages of $69,660 for the Beneficiary and Mr. F-. Net current assets were negative in both 2013 and 2014. The argument that Mr. A-'s former wages could be redirected failed because there was no evidence the Beneficiary was replacing Mr. A- or that their positions involved the same duties. The totality of circumstances—declining gross receipts, declining wages paid, and consistently negative net current assets—confirmed inability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-22_01_B5203; source_row=20281
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

The appellate documents and letter from a co-principal investigator adequately demonstrated that the Petitioner's proposed research endeavors—comparative studies on faculty creativity in Nigeria and the U.S.—have substantial intrinsic merit. The Director's determination was withdrawn.

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The appellate documents and letter from a co-principal investigator adequately demonstrated that the Petitioner's proposed research endeavors—comparative studies on faculty creativity in Nigeria and the U.S.—have substantial intrinsic merit. The Director's determination was withdrawn.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-22_07_B5203; source_row=20288
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

The submitted documentation showed that the proposed benefit from the Petitioner's complexity leadership research has national and international breadth, as results are disseminated through conferences and journals. The Director's determination was withdrawn.

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The submitted documentation showed that the proposed benefit from the Petitioner's complexity leadership research has national and international breadth, as results are disseminated through conferences and journals. The Director's determination was withdrawn.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-22_07_B5203; source_row=20289
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

petitioner's intent to permanently employ beneficiary per terms of labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that although the record showed continued operations, it lacked independent objective evidence of the Petitioner's intention to permanently employ the Beneficiary, given the parent company's stated two-year operational plan, the lease expiring in May 2016, and the HR manager's letter indicating the Petitioner would cease as an independent entity.

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AAO found that although the record showed continued operations, it lacked independent objective evidence of the Petitioner's intention to permanently employ the Beneficiary, given the parent company's stated two-year operational plan, the lease expiring in May 2016, and the HR manager's letter indicating the Petitioner would cease as an independent entity.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-22_02_B5203; source_row=20282
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why the evidence was persuasive

Citing EDGE, AAO found that an Indian three-year MCA is comparable to a U.S. master's degree, and the Beneficiary's MCA therefore qualifies as a foreign equivalent advanced degree.

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Citing EDGE, AAO found that an Indian three-year MCA is comparable to a U.S. master's degree, and the Beneficiary's MCA therefore qualifies as a foreign equivalent advanced degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-22_05_B5203; source_row=20283
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

degree in field of study specified on labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that even assuming arguendo that an Indian MCA equates to a U.S. master's in applied computer science, that field is not among the four specified in box H.4-B and the Petitioner answered 'No' to alternate fields of study; recruitment evidence did not put U.S. workers on notice that a computer applications/applied computer science degree was acceptable.

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AAO held that even assuming arguendo that an Indian MCA equates to a U.S. master's in applied computer science, that field is not among the four specified in box H.4-B and the Petitioner answered 'No' to alternate fields of study; recruitment evidence did not put U.S. workers on notice that a computer applications/applied computer science degree was acceptable.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-22_05_B5203; source_row=20284
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the totality of evidence, including extensive publications, favorable citations, peer review, invited moderator roles, critical transplantation roles, and expert attestations, established sustained national and international acclaim at the very top of the field of cardiothoracic surgery.

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AAO found that the totality of evidence, including extensive publications, favorable citations, peer review, invited moderator roles, critical transplantation roles, and expert attestations, established sustained national and international acclaim at the very top of the field of cardiothoracic surgery.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-20_01_B2203; source_row=20276
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that criterion (vi) was met, noting the record supports this finding.

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AAO agreed with the Director that criterion (vi) was met, noting the record supports this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-20_01_B2203; source_row=20274
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that criterion (viii) was met, noting the record supports this finding.

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AAO agreed with the Director that criterion (viii) was met, noting the record supports this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-20_01_B2203; source_row=20275
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that criterion (iv) was met, noting the record supports this finding.

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AAO agreed with the Director that criterion (iv) was met, noting the record supports this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-04-20_01_B2203; source_row=20273
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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