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 20681–20690

NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets minimum requirements of labor certification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded the MCA is not equivalent to a Master of Computer Science (per EDGE) but is equivalent to a master's in a related field allowed by Parts 7/7A of the labor certification, so the beneficiary qualifies.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO concluded the MCA is not equivalent to a Master of Computer Science (per EDGE) but is equivalent to a master's in a related field allowed by Parts 7/7A of the labor certification, so the beneficiary qualifies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_02_B5203; source_row=17343
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 found insufficient net income or net current assets to cover the aggregate proffered wages of over 34 sponsored workers, rejected hybrid accounting and combination of taxable income with net current assets, and found unaudited balance sheets unreliable.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found insufficient net income or net current assets to cover the aggregate proffered wages of over 34 sponsored workers, rejected hybrid accounting and combination of taxable income with net current assets, and found unaudited balance sheets unreliable.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_02_B5203; source_row=17344
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Petitioner active and in good standing in state of proposed employment

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO rescinded the prior mootness finding because the petitioner submitted new evidence — a Certificate of Authority from New Jersey — demonstrating its right to conduct business in that state.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO rescinded the prior mootness finding because the petitioner submitted new evidence — a Certificate of Authority from New Jersey — demonstrating its right to conduct business in that state.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_06_B5203; source_row=17355
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Labor certification valid for area of intended employment / recruitment disclosed actual job requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the recruitment materials did not notify potential U.S. workers that travel or work at alternate worksites would be required, and the prevailing wage determination was submitted as though no travel was needed—despite the beneficiary actually working at remote contract locations. The petitioner's own descriptions of the position contradicted the terms stated on the labor certification.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the recruitment materials did not notify potential U.S. workers that travel or work at alternate worksites would be required, and the prevailing wage determination was submitted as though no travel was needed—despite the beneficiary actually working at remote contract locations. The petitioner's own descriptions of the position contradicted the terms stated on the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_06_B5203; source_row=17356
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay the proffered wage from priority date onwards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the petitioner's evidence of historic business growth established ability to pay the proffered wage under Matter of Sonegawa, rescinding the prior AAO conclusion to the contrary.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the petitioner's evidence of historic business growth established ability to pay the proffered wage under Matter of Sonegawa, rescinding the prior AAO conclusion to the contrary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_06_B5203; source_row=17357
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

The petitioner's evidence did not demonstrate national-scope influence. His publications had no citations, his peer review work was self-initiated and recent, and his online forum role was not shown to require or confer a national reputation.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The petitioner's evidence did not demonstrate national-scope influence. His publications had no citations, his peer review work was self-initiated and recent, and his online forum role was not shown to require or confer a national reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_13_B5203; source_row=17377
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

What the decision said

The AAO did not separately address this prong, focusing instead on the third prong (national interest relative to a U.S. worker).

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 +
The AAO did not separately address this prong, focusing instead on the third prong (national interest relative to a U.S. worker).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_13_B5203; source_row=17376
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

official academic record of baccalaureate degree

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed that 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(B) requires an official academic record, that the SpanTran third-party evaluation is not a substitute for the official record, and that the petitioner failed to demonstrate unavailability of the primary evidence, which is a prerequisite for relying on secondary evidence.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO affirmed that 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(B) requires an official academic record, that the SpanTran third-party evaluation is not a substitute for the official record, and that the petitioner failed to demonstrate unavailability of the primary evidence, which is a prerequisite for relying on secondary evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_09_B5203; source_row=17362
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the director's finding that the petitioner met the intrinsic merit prong.

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 did not disturb the director's finding that the petitioner met the intrinsic merit prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_09_B5203; source_row=17363
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the petitioner's impact was confined to her school district. The NCLBA does not amend the immigration statute or create a blanket waiver for teachers. Counsel's assertion that different jurisdictions use different curricula actually underscored the local nature of the petitioner's impact.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the petitioner's impact was confined to her school district. The NCLBA does not amend the immigration statute or create a blanket waiver for teachers. Counsel's assertion that different jurisdictions use different curricula actually underscored the local nature of the petitioner's impact. Presidential remarks and federal education policy goals do not override standing legislation or supersede the NYSDOT framework.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-12-05_09_B5203; source_row=17364
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment