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 20631–20640

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets labor certification experience requirements (60 months progressive post-baccalaureate experience)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO accepted only 10 months from the graduate assistant position, 6 months from one employer (due to contradictions from the asset purchase agreement about the actual start date), and 18 months from another employer—totaling far less than 60 months.…

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The AAO accepted only 10 months from the graduate assistant position, 6 months from one employer (due to contradictions from the asset purchase agreement about the actual start date), and 18 months from another employer—totaling far less than 60 months. The letter for the hyperion consultant position (June 2007–September 2009) was rejected because it lacked company letterhead and did not demonstrate the supervisor could account for the beneficiary's work at multiple locations, and primary evidence was available but not provided. The employer not listed on the labor certification was disregarded, and experience with the petitioner itself could not qualify because the position was substantially comparable.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-26_03_B5203; source_row=17420
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO agreed that the proposed benefits of the petitioner's work as a cardiology researcher would be national in scope, noting expert letters supported this second prong.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO agreed that the proposed benefits of the petitioner's work as a cardiology researcher would be national in scope, noting expert letters supported this second prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-23_01_B5203; source_row=17414
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

The AAO did not dispute that cardiology research has 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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The AAO did not dispute that cardiology research has substantial intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-23_01_B5203; source_row=17413
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest served to substantially greater degree than a U.S. worker with same minimum qualifications

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's evidence showed he is a capable cardiology fellow with a favorable reputation among colleagues, but there was no documentary evidence that his work had independently influenced the field as a whole.…

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner's evidence showed he is a capable cardiology fellow with a favorable reputation among colleagues, but there was no documentary evidence that his work had independently influenced the field as a whole. Expert letters speculated about future impact rather than demonstrating actual influence, the key article was published after the filing date and thus could not establish eligibility as of the filing date, and recognition received was of institutional rather than national significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-23_01_B5203; source_row=17415
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

possession of advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed that a foreign equivalent degree must come from a college or university, and that membership in a professional society—even if considered 'comparable' to a bachelor's degree by EDGE—is only the 'equivalent' of a degree rather than a 'foreign equivalent degree' within the regulatory definition. The professional society is not an institution of higher education capable of conferring a degree.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO affirmed that a foreign equivalent degree must come from a college or university, and that membership in a professional society—even if considered 'comparable' to a bachelor's degree by EDGE—is only the 'equivalent' of a degree rather than a 'foreign equivalent degree' within the regulatory definition. The professional society is not an institution of higher education capable of conferring a degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-19_02_B5203; source_row=17412
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's reference letters lacked specific examples of how his work influenced the field as a whole; his citation evidence was self-compiled and unsupported; his qualifications, skills, and potential contributions do not rise to the level needed to outweigh the national interest in labor certification protections. Eligibility is assessed as of the filing date, and claims of future or potential impact are insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner's reference letters lacked specific examples of how his work influenced the field as a whole; his citation evidence was self-compiled and unsupported; his qualifications, skills, and potential contributions do not rise to the level needed to outweigh the national interest in labor certification protections. Eligibility is assessed as of the filing date, and claims of future or potential impact are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-16_01_B5203; source_row=17411
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 conceded that the petitioner's work in epidemiology and biomedical public health 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 conceded that the petitioner's work in epidemiology and biomedical public health is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-16_01_B5203; source_row=17409
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 conceded that the proposed benefits of the petitioner's work 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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AAO conceded that the proposed benefits of the petitioner's work would be national in scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-16_01_B5203; source_row=17410
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via net income on tax returns

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's 2012 Form 1120 reflected only $7,146.00 in net income and -$67,577.00 in net current assets, which were insufficient to cover the gap between the proffered wage and wages actually paid. Reliance on gross receipts is misplaced; net income is the proper measure.

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 Form 1120 reflected only $7,146.00 in net income and -$67,577.00 in net current assets, which were insufficient to cover the gap between the proffered wage and wages actually paid. Reliance on gross receipts is misplaced; net income is the proper measure.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-12_02_B5203; source_row=17407
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay proffered wages for multiple I-140 beneficiaries

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner filed multiple I-140 petitions for other beneficiaries, requiring it to demonstrate ability to pay all proffered wages combined. The payroll records submitted showed none of the other beneficiaries were paid their proffered wages, and those records were inconsistent with the W-2 data.…

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner filed multiple I-140 petitions for other beneficiaries, requiring it to demonstrate ability to pay all proffered wages combined. The payroll records submitted showed none of the other beneficiaries were paid their proffered wages, and those records were inconsistent with the W-2 data. The petitioner also failed to provide requested information about withdrawals and missing wage data, precluding a full assessment.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-12_02_B5203; source_row=17408
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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