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 18281–18290

NIWunclearEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

unclear

Admissibility requirements: accreditation and NBMEE

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found no conflict between the AFM, regulations, and the Act. The NBMEE requirement applies only to graduates of non-accredited medical schools; graduates of accredited schools satisfy the admissibility requirement without needing to pass the NBMEE.

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

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AAO found no conflict between the AFM, regulations, and the Act. The NBMEE requirement applies only to graduates of non-accredited medical schools; graduates of accredited schools satisfy the admissibility requirement without needing to pass the NBMEE.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-04_01_B5203; source_row=20007
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's research had not yet been published or shown to have actually influenced the field. Statements about prospective benefits did not establish past impact. His work as an EHS specialist was not shown to have had national-level influence. Letters attesting to the value of his expertise and demand for individuals with his credentials address labor market availability, not national interest.…

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner's research had not yet been published or shown to have actually influenced the field. Statements about prospective benefits did not establish past impact. His work as an EHS specialist was not shown to have had national-level influence. Letters attesting to the value of his expertise and demand for individuals with his credentials address labor market availability, not national interest. Academic scholarships were not shown to have been awarded for field influence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-04_03_B5203; source_row=20014
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that the first prong was met.

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 disturb the Director's finding that the first prong was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-04_03_B5203; source_row=20012
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that the second prong was met.

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 did not disturb the Director's finding that the second prong was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-04_03_B5203; source_row=20013
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that authorship of numerous scholarly articles in academic journals satisfies the plain language of this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed with the Director that authorship of numerous scholarly articles in academic journals satisfies the plain language of this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-04_01_B2203; source_row=20005
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letters contain vague assertions of significance tied to the importance of the Petitioner's research area rather than specific examples of wider impact; citation evidence shows authors cite the Petitioner's work as background without heavy reliance; impact on the employer is insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

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The recommendation letters contain vague assertions of significance tied to the importance of the Petitioner's research area rather than specific examples of wider impact; citation evidence shows authors cite the Petitioner's work as background without heavy reliance; impact on the employer is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-04_01_B2203; source_row=20004
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that peer reviewing for four academic journals satisfies the plain language of this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed with the Director that peer reviewing for four academic journals satisfies the plain language of this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-04_01_B2203; source_row=20003
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Director's analysis of this criterion was erroneous because it referenced table tennis materials unrelated to the petition; the Petitioner states he is an independent artist and does not belong to any associations.

Why this is useful

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The Director's analysis of this criterion was erroneous because it referenced table tennis materials unrelated to the petition; the Petitioner states he is an independent artist and does not belong to any associations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-12-30_01_B2203; source_row=19993
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display at exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

AAO identified directly inconsistent findings by the Director regarding this criterion and withdrew the decision without reaching a substantive conclusion, remanding for proper analysis.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO identified directly inconsistent findings by the Director regarding this criterion and withdrew the decision without reaching a substantive conclusion, remanding for proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-12-30_01_B2203; source_row=19995
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

What the decision said

The Director's conclusion was based on unrelated table tennis evidence; AAO withdrew the decision and remanded without reaching a substantive finding on this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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The Director's conclusion was based on unrelated table tennis evidence; AAO withdrew the decision and remanded without reaching a substantive finding on this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2015-12-30_01_B2203; source_row=19994
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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