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 20031–20040

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner submitted a letter from a dean confirming her participation as an external reviewer of a university program review, a program review schedule documenting her participation, and an email requesting her participation. This was sufficient to meet the plain language of the regulation.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner submitted a letter from a dean confirming her participation as an external reviewer of a university program review, a program review schedule documenting her participation, and an email requesting her participation. This was sufficient to meet the plain language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-20_01_B2203; source_row=18075
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the petitioner's assertion that he deserves the waiver because he wins races lacks clarity and detail. The record does not explain how the United States benefits more when the petitioner wins a race versus another runner, and the petitioner's community service work was not shown to have significant national impact.

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 found the petitioner's assertion that he deserves the waiver because he wins races lacks clarity and detail. The record does not explain how the United States benefits more when the petitioner wins a race versus another runner, and the petitioner's community service work was not shown to have significant national impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-18_01_B5203; source_row=18068
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed to show that his earnings were significantly above what is ordinarily encountered in his occupation. The circular argument that being a top runner means his earnings must reflect exceptional ability presumes the conclusion to be proven.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner failed to show that his earnings were significantly above what is ordinarily encountered in his occupation. The circular argument that being a top runner means his earnings must reflect exceptional ability presumes the conclusion to be proven.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-18_01_B5203; source_row=18062
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than available U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while the petitioner's work is part of a larger system that collectively serves the national interest, she did not establish that her individual impact on the GIS field or on national water pollution efforts warranted a waiver.…

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 found that while the petitioner's work is part of a larger system that collectively serves the national interest, she did not establish that her individual impact on the GIS field or on national water pollution efforts warranted a waiver. Her record did not demonstrate prominent standing in the field as a whole, and new evidence of a consulting company and additional projects could not retroactively establish eligibility at time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-18_02_B5203; source_row=18071
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why the evidence was persuasive

On appeal, the petitioner submitted the letter on official letterhead, addressing the director's specific concern. AAO found the petitioner established membership in the professional association, though it declined to reach whether this membership demonstrates exceptional ability since fewer than three criteria were met overall.

Why this is useful

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

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On appeal, the petitioner submitted the letter on official letterhead, addressing the director's specific concern. AAO found the petitioner established membership in the professional association, though it declined to reach whether this membership demonstrates exceptional ability since fewer than three criteria were met overall.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-18_01_B5203; source_row=18063
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years full-time experience (employer letters)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The current employer was not in a position to attest to the petitioner's employment before 2009, and no letters from prior employers were submitted. The petitioner did not demonstrate unavailability of such evidence as required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(2)(i).

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

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The current employer was not in a position to attest to the petitioner's employment before 2009, and no letters from prior employers were submitted. The petitioner did not demonstrate unavailability of such evidence as required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(2)(i).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-18_01_B5203; source_row=18061
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 dispute that long-distance running has substantial intrinsic merit, consistent with the director's acknowledgment.

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 dispute that long-distance running has substantial intrinsic merit, consistent with the director's acknowledgment.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-18_01_B5203; source_row=18066
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted the director's finding that the petitioner satisfied the recognition for achievements criterion based on his race placements.

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

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AAO accepted the director's finding that the petitioner satisfied the recognition for achievements criterion based on his race placements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-18_01_B5203; source_row=18064
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the 'national scope' prong revolves around traits inherent in the occupation rather than the petitioner's individual achievements, and the petitioner did not show how his involvement influenced the field as a whole.

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 found that the 'national scope' prong revolves around traits inherent in the occupation rather than the petitioner's individual achievements, and the petitioner did not show how his involvement influenced the field as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-18_01_B5203; source_row=18067
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the totality of evidence — forty years of international project experience, employer letters, exhibition displays, and media coverage — sufficiently demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the totality of evidence — forty years of international project experience, employer letters, exhibition displays, and media coverage — sufficiently demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-06-18_01_B2203; source_row=18060
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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