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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 1971–1980
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established
Case facts
Medicine / Clinical
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial merit and national importance
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the Petitioner's new evidence and arguments addressed her professional qualifications and experience (relevant to Dhanasar prong 2), not the national importance of the specific endeavor she proposes to undertake (prong 1). Her new evidence thus did not overcome the prior finding that national importance was not demonstrated.
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 Petitioner's new evidence and arguments addressed her professional qualifications and experience (relevant to Dhanasar prong 2), not the national importance of the specific endeavor she proposes to undertake (prong 1). Her new evidence thus did not overcome the prior finding that national importance was not demonstrated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-05_03_B5203; source_row=42210 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
What the decision said
AAO formally reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the initial three-criteria threshold, but conducted an aggregate review noting the record falls short of demonstrating the required acclaim.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO formally reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the initial three-criteria threshold, but conducted an aggregate review noting the record falls short of demonstrating the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-05_01_B2203; source_row=42203 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Finance
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, beneficial to the United States
What the decision said
The AAO explicitly reserved the third prong, declining to reach it because the failure to establish national importance under prong one was dispositive.
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
View full reasoning +
The AAO explicitly reserved the third prong, declining to reach it because the failure to establish national importance under prong one was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-05_06_B5203; source_row=42221 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Finance
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
What the decision said
The AAO declined to address whether the Director correctly found prong two met, as the determination that the proposed endeavor lacks national importance under prong one is dispositive.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
View full reasoning +
The AAO declined to address whether the Director correctly found prong two met, as the determination that the proposed endeavor lacks national importance under prong one is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-05_06_B5203; source_row=42220 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Business / Management
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, beneficial to the United States
What the decision said
AAO did not reach the merits of this prong, remanding the entire NIW analysis for a new decision. AAO noted the Director improperly conflated first and third prong analyses.
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 the merits of this prong, remanding the entire NIW analysis for a new decision. AAO noted the Director improperly conflated first and third prong analyses.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-05_07_B5203; source_row=42224 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
procedural or other
appeal must address the most recent (motion-dismissal) decision
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner's appeal brief reuses the motion brief and challenges the petition denial rather than the motion dismissal, failing to identify any erroneous conclusion of law or statement of fact in the most recent decision.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The Petitioner's appeal brief reuses the motion brief and challenges the petition denial rather than the motion dismissal, failing to identify any erroneous conclusion of law or statement of fact in the most recent decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-05_02_B2203; source_row=42204 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Business / ManagementManager
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner did not satisfy this prong because he did not specifically address the Director's analysis or evidentiary deficiencies on appeal.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner did not satisfy this prong because he did not specifically address the Director's analysis or evidentiary deficiencies on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-12-05_02_B5203; source_row=42208 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c