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 20091–20100

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

valid job offer matching labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The labor certification specified Bellevue, Washington as the worksite while the petition indicated Pennsylvania, and the petitioner left blank the field for an alternative worksite address, thereby representing that work would occur at the Pennsylvania address. No legal authority permits reliance on a labor certification that does not match the petition.

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The labor certification specified Bellevue, Washington as the worksite while the petition indicated Pennsylvania, and the petitioner left blank the field for an alternative worksite address, thereby representing that work would occur at the Pennsylvania address. No legal authority permits reliance on a labor certification that does not match the petition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-29_01_B5203; source_row=18007
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's 2012 tax return net income and net current assets did not establish ability to pay the combined proffered wages to this beneficiary and all other beneficiaries from the petition's priority date. The W-2 evidence also did not show the proffered wage was actually paid to any beneficiary.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner's 2012 tax return net income and net current assets did not establish ability to pay the combined proffered wages to this beneficiary and all other beneficiaries from the petition's priority date. The W-2 evidence also did not show the proffered wage was actually paid to any beneficiary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-29_01_B5203; source_row=18009
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

bona fide job offer / worksite of employment

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agrees the petitioner has not established a bona fide job offer; the worksite discrepancy is unexplained, requested evidence (contracts, advertisements, DOL correspondence) was not submitted, and the leases/subleases do not establish the nature of business activities at the claimed worksites.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO agrees the petitioner has not established a bona fide job offer; the worksite discrepancy is unexplained, requested evidence (contracts, advertisements, DOL correspondence) was not submitted, and the leases/subleases do not establish the nature of business activities at the claimed worksites.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-28_01_B5203; source_row=18005
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees: aggregate wage obligation to sponsored workers exceeds the petitioner's net income and net current assets; the petitioner did not adequately identify which of its W-2 recipients were sponsored workers in 2012-2013; and Sonegawa-type factors do not establish ability to pay.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agrees: aggregate wage obligation to sponsored workers exceeds the petitioner's net income and net current assets; the petitioner did not adequately identify which of its W-2 recipients were sponsored workers in 2012-2013; and Sonegawa-type factors do not establish ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-28_01_B5203; source_row=18006
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serves national interest substantially greater than a U.S. worker with same minimum qualifications

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that a shortage of qualified U.S. workers is not grounds for approving the waiver because the labor certification process exists to address such shortages. The petitioner's evaluations mostly showed 'Meets Expectations' ratings, and she did not demonstrate influence on the field as a whole or a past record of demonstrable achievement.

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 a shortage of qualified U.S. workers is not grounds for approving the waiver because the labor certification process exists to address such shortages. The petitioner's evaluations mostly showed 'Meets Expectations' ratings, and she did not demonstrate influence on the field as a whole or a past record of demonstrable achievement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-27_03_B5203; source_row=17999
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life SciencesPhD14 papers87 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds the record does not support the director's finding because no foreign-degree equivalency evaluation was submitted.

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AAO finds the record does not support the director's finding because no foreign-degree equivalency evaluation was submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-27_01_B5203; source_row=17993
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO acknowledged the petitioner's arguments about intrinsic merit of his occupation but noted they address only this prong and do not satisfy the other prongs.

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 acknowledged the petitioner's arguments about intrinsic merit of his occupation but noted they address only this prong and do not satisfy the other prongs.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-27_04_B5203; source_row=18000
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serves national interest substantially greater than a U.S. worker with same minimum qualifications

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the petitioner presented no evidence of past achievements influencing his field as a whole, and did not distinguish himself from other qualified IT administrators. The petitioner had not even begun working at the school when the petition was filed, and USCIS cannot approve a petition based on future eligibility under a new set of facts.

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 presented no evidence of past achievements influencing his field as a whole, and did not distinguish himself from other qualified IT administrators. The petitioner had not even begun working at the school when the petition was filed, and USCIS cannot approve a petition based on future eligibility under a new set of facts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-27_04_B5203; source_row=18002
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the petitioner submitted no evidence that his IT work would have any national effect on future health care workers. The school is small (57 graduates in 2013), and any impact would be heavily diluted. There is no blanket waiver for employees of such organizations.

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 the petitioner submitted no evidence that his IT work would have any national effect on future health care workers. The school is small (57 graduates in 2013), and any impact would be heavily diluted. There is no blanket waiver for employees of such organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-27_04_B5203; source_row=18001
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why AAO was not persuaded

While AAO acknowledged teaching has intrinsic merit, it found there is no blanket waiver for teachers, and general claims about the overall importance of teaching cannot suffice to qualify a particular teacher for the national interest waiver.

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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While AAO acknowledged teaching has intrinsic merit, it found there is no blanket waiver for teachers, and general claims about the overall importance of teaching cannot suffice to qualify a particular teacher for the national interest waiver.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-05-27_03_B5203; source_row=17997
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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