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 191200

EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other30 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work (via comparable evidence)

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb SCOPS' finding that this criterion was satisfied.

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AAO did not disturb SCOPS' finding that this criterion was satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_03_B2203; source_row=45011
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other30 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner provided sufficient objective evidence that two specific newspapers (including digital versions) qualify as major media in UAE and Pakistan based on credible online circulation metrics and rankings, with 2018 articles focused solely on the Petitioner.

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AAO found that the Petitioner provided sufficient objective evidence that two specific newspapers (including digital versions) qualify as major media in UAE and Pakistan based on credible online circulation metrics and rankings, with 2018 articles focused solely on the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_03_B2203; source_row=45007
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 explicitly reserved the final merits determination as unnecessary given the failure to meet the initial evidence threshold.

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AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination as unnecessary given the failure to meet the initial evidence threshold.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_04_B2203; source_row=45021
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

What the decision said

The Petitioner no longer claims the prizes or awards criterion on appeal, so it is considered waived.

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The Petitioner no longer claims the prizes or awards criterion on appeal, so it is considered waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_04_B2203; source_row=45018
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to show how her consulting strategies differ from or improve upon existing solutions in the U.S., did not provide evidence of specific economic impact or job creation, and her reliance on industry importance and government initiative alignment was insufficient. The expert letter was too general and focused on the trucking industry broadly rather than the Petitioner's specific endeavor.

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The Petitioner failed to show how her consulting strategies differ from or improve upon existing solutions in the U.S., did not provide evidence of specific economic impact or job creation, and her reliance on industry importance and government initiative alignment was insufficient. The expert letter was too general and focused on the trucking industry broadly rather than the Petitioner's specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_02_B5203; source_row=45002
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the criterion was met with three creditable articles, noting one article was discredited due to the award inconsistency.

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AAO agreed the criterion was met with three creditable articles, noting one article was discredited due to the award inconsistency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=44988
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the criterion was not met, finding the Petitioner's single instance of acclaim in this area inadequate.

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AAO agreed the criterion was not met, finding the Petitioner's single instance of acclaim in this area inadequate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=44990
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the criterion was met at step one but noted the Petitioner's argument about journal ranking is a step-one point, while journal quality is relevant to the final merits determination per USCIS Policy Manual.

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AAO agreed the criterion was met at step one but noted the Petitioner's argument about journal ranking is a step-one point, while journal quality is relevant to the final merits determination per USCIS Policy Manual.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=44991
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with SCOPS that the criterion was met but noted this for the final merits analysis.

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AAO agreed with SCOPS that the criterion was met but noted this for the final merits analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=44987
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the plain language of the judging criterion was satisfied.

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AAO agreed the plain language of the judging criterion was satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-13_01_B2203; source_row=44989
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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