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 20401–20410

NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the proposed benefit of the petitioner's research would have a national impact.

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 agreed that the proposed benefit of the petitioner's research would have a national impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-03-06_01_B5203; source_row=17662
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the petitioner's work as an MRI researcher developing nanoparticle-based contrast agents is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.

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 agreed that the petitioner's work as an MRI researcher developing nanoparticle-based contrast agents is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-03-06_01_B5203; source_row=17661
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary qualifications per labor certification terms

Why AAO was not persuaded

The labor certification's H.9 explicitly states that foreign educational equivalents are not accepted. USCIS must apply the plain language of the labor certification as written by the employer and cannot ignore this term. The Kellogg language in H.14 does not override explicit prohibitions, and BALCA precedent cited by counsel is not binding on USCIS.…

Why this is useful

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The labor certification's H.9 explicitly states that foreign educational equivalents are not accepted. USCIS must apply the plain language of the labor certification as written by the employer and cannot ignore this term. The Kellogg language in H.14 does not override explicit prohibitions, and BALCA precedent cited by counsel is not binding on USCIS. The recruitment materials submitted did not establish a foreign degree was acceptable, and no recruitment report or applicant resumes were provided.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-03-06_02_B5203; source_row=17664
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

What the decision said

Counsel did not contest the director's findings for this criterion on appeal or offer additional arguments, and therefore the petitioner abandoned this issue.

Why this is useful

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Counsel did not contest the director's findings for this criterion on appeal or offer additional arguments, and therefore the petitioner abandoned this issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-03-06_01_B2203; source_row=17656
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 declined to reach the final merits determination because the petitioner failed to satisfy the step-1 requirement of three types of evidence.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the petitioner failed to satisfy the step-1 requirement of three types of evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-03-06_01_B2203; source_row=17660
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent above baccalaureate

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the beneficiary's four-year-plus-ten-month Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the Philippines is a baccalaureate-level degree, not a foreign equivalent of an advanced degree.…

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AAO found that the beneficiary's four-year-plus-ten-month Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the Philippines is a baccalaureate-level degree, not a foreign equivalent of an advanced degree. Credential evaluations by FCCPT and FIS assessed coursework for admissibility and licensure purposes rather than whether the single degree itself exceeds the baccalaureate level, and EDGE—a reliable source USCIS credits for foreign credential equivalencies—confirmed the Philippine five-year physical therapy degree is comparable to a U.S. undergraduate degree. The petitioner also did not assert or prove five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-03-05_01_B5203; source_row=17651
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalProfessor11 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the director and AAO found that the petitioner's work as a physician-scientist is in an area of intrinsic merit.

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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Both the director and AAO found that the petitioner's work as a physician-scientist is in an area of intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-03-05_02_B5203; source_row=17652
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalProfessor11 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than a U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the petitioner's citation record was unsupported by submitted evidence, NIH funding does not differentiate her from other capable researchers, publications and presentations lacked evidence of influence on the field, post-filing appointment as Assistant Professor could not be considered, and unique clinical skills do not inherently meet the national interest threshold.…

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the petitioner's citation record was unsupported by submitted evidence, NIH funding does not differentiate her from other capable researchers, publications and presentations lacked evidence of influence on the field, post-filing appointment as Assistant Professor could not be considered, and unique clinical skills do not inherently meet the national interest threshold. The appeal offered no new facts and identified no specific error in the director's decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-03-05_02_B5203; source_row=17654
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalProfessor11 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the director and AAO found that the proposed benefits of the petitioner's gastroenterology research would be national in scope.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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Both the director and AAO found that the proposed benefits of the petitioner's gastroenterology research would be national in scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-03-05_02_B5203; source_row=17653
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Foreign equivalent of U.S. bachelor's degree

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted that the beneficiary holds a foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, consistent with the director's finding, and did not dispute this point.

Why this is useful

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AAO accepted that the beneficiary holds a foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, consistent with the director's finding, and did not dispute this point.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-28_01_B5203; source_row=17648
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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