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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 20411–20420

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary's experience with the petitioner in the proffered position could not be counted because it was substantially comparable to the offered position and the labor certification did not allow alternate-occupation experience.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The beneficiary's experience with the petitioner in the proffered position could not be counted because it was substantially comparable to the offered position and the labor certification did not allow alternate-occupation experience. Adding the two remaining qualifying employment periods (approximately 2 years 10 months with one employer and 11 months 18 days with another), the total qualifying post-baccalaureate experience reaches only about 3 years 7–9 months, far short of the required 60 months as of the priority date of June 29, 2012.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-28_01_B5203; source_row=17649
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay the proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed prior denials, finding the new submissions are not 'new' evidence, are not independent and objective, create additional inconsistencies, and do not cover the complete relevant time period.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO affirmed prior denials, finding the new submissions are not 'new' evidence, are not independent and objective, create additional inconsistencies, and do not cover the complete relevant time period.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-28_04_B5203; source_row=17650
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

advanced degree / accredited institution requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the director that the degree, awarded prior to full accreditation, does not qualify as an advanced degree because only full regional accreditation guarantees nationwide recognition; pre-accreditation under TRACS and the H-1B-specific provisions of INA § 214(g)(5) do not control immigrant petitions.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the director that the degree, awarded prior to full accreditation, does not qualify as an advanced degree because only full regional accreditation guarantees nationwide recognition; pre-accreditation under TRACS and the H-1B-specific provisions of INA § 214(g)(5) do not control immigrant petitions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-27_01_B5203; source_row=17645
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO declined to prorate without monthly income statements or pay stubs covering only the post-priority-date period, and noted that the petitioner did not submit the regulatorily required annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to prorate without monthly income statements or pay stubs covering only the post-priority-date period, and noted that the petitioner did not submit the regulatorily required annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-27_01_B5203; source_row=17646
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Five years of progressive experience in the specialty

Why AAO was not persuaded

Co-worker letters lacked the employer-origin and objectivity required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) and could not independently establish prior employment. The job duties described across all positions were virtually identical, failing to show progression in complexity or responsibility from one role to the next. Consequently, the beneficiary did not demonstrate the requisite five years of progressive experience.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Co-worker letters lacked the employer-origin and objectivity required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) and could not independently establish prior employment. The job duties described across all positions were virtually identical, failing to show progression in complexity or responsibility from one role to the next. Consequently, the beneficiary did not demonstrate the requisite five years of progressive experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-27_02_B5203; source_row=17647
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serve the national interest to a substantially greater degree than an available U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds no documentary evidence that the petitioner has influenced the field as a whole or will benefit the U.S. to a greater extent than similarly qualified chiropractors. Claims of useful skills and unique background relate to labor certification rather than the NIW.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO finds no documentary evidence that the petitioner has influenced the field as a whole or will benefit the U.S. to a greater extent than similarly qualified chiropractors. Claims of useful skills and unique background relate to labor certification rather than the NIW.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-26_03_B5203; source_row=17641
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Social SciencesMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's evidence does not establish that her past record of achievement rises to a level that would justify waiving the job offer requirement. Her qualifications do not exceed the minimum requirements set by the NCLBA's 'Highly Qualified Teacher' standard in a way that would make labor certification impossible, and her publications and awards show no demonstrable national-level influence on the field of education.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
The petitioner's evidence does not establish that her past record of achievement rises to a level that would justify waiving the job offer requirement. Her qualifications do not exceed the minimum requirements set by the NCLBA's 'Highly Qualified Teacher' standard in a way that would make labor certification impossible, and her publications and awards show no demonstrable national-level influence on the field of education.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-26_04_B5203; source_row=17644
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest served to substantially greater degree than U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the unavailability of qualified U.S. workers is not a consideration in NIW determinations; the employer's debarment does not justify a waiver; and the petitioner lacked evidence that her work influenced the field as a whole. The waiver must rest on the petitioner's individual qualifications, not temporary circumstances.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the unavailability of qualified U.S. workers is not a consideration in NIW determinations; the employer's debarment does not justify a waiver; and the petitioner lacked evidence that her work influenced the field as a whole. The waiver must rest on the petitioner's individual qualifications, not temporary circumstances.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-26_02_B5203; source_row=17638
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO finds the petitioner's work as a chiropractic physician 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.

View full reasoning +
AAO finds the petitioner's work as a chiropractic physician is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-26_03_B5203; source_row=17639
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds the impact of one chiropractor's treatment of patients is too attenuated to yield a national effect, and the petitioner's role at a sports competition post-dates filing and cannot establish eligibility. Letters from a handful of out-of-state patients do not establish national scope.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO finds the impact of one chiropractor's treatment of patients is too attenuated to yield a national effect, and the petitioner's role at a sports competition post-dates filing and cannot establish eligibility. Letters from a handful of out-of-state patients do not establish national scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2014-02-26_03_B5203; source_row=17640
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment