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 20731–20740

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Continuing intent to permanently employ beneficiary in offered position

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that counsel's reaffirmation was unsupported by any evidence, and reiterated that assertions of counsel do not constitute evidence.

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AAO found that counsel's reaffirmation was unsupported by any evidence, and reiterated that assertions of counsel do not constitute evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_03_B5203; source_row=17295
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Consistency of beneficiary's claimed employment history

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the part-time employment explanation was unpersuasive because both the labor certification and the Form G-325A expressly required the beneficiary to list all past employment, and counsel offered no adequate justification for omitting it.

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AAO found that the part-time employment explanation was unpersuasive because both the labor certification and the Form G-325A expressly required the beneficiary to list all past employment, and counsel offered no adequate justification for omitting it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_03_B5203; source_row=17294
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Genuine principal place of business / physical worksite

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the seller's permit only establishes authorization to conduct business, not that actual business was being conducted or that a physical office existed. The photographs showed multiple businesses sharing the same office suite with no identifying information for the petitioner, and counsel's assertions without new evidence were insufficient.

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AAO found that the seller's permit only establishes authorization to conduct business, not that actual business was being conducted or that a physical office existed. The photographs showed multiple businesses sharing the same office suite with no identifying information for the petitioner, and counsel's assertions without new evidence were insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_03_B5203; source_row=17293
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's evidence showed only local or school-level impact. NYSDOT explicitly cited elementary schoolteachers as an example of professionals whose individual work does not produce benefits national in scope. General arguments about the importance of special education or teacher shortages address only the intrinsic merit prong, not national scope.

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The petitioner's evidence showed only local or school-level impact. NYSDOT explicitly cited elementary schoolteachers as an example of professionals whose individual work does not produce benefits national in scope. General arguments about the importance of special education or teacher shortages address only the intrinsic merit prong, not national scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_10_B5203; source_row=17309
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO confirmed that work as an elementary school teacher and special educator is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.

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AAO confirmed that work as an elementary school teacher and special educator is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_10_B5203; source_row=17308
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic EngineeringBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

Without a valid successorship, the petitioner cannot use the labor certification employer's wage payments or assets, and its own tax returns and W-2s do not cover the gaps from the priority date forward.

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Without a valid successorship, the petitioner cannot use the labor certification employer's wage payments or assets, and its own tax returns and W-2s do not cover the gaps from the priority date forward.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_04_B5203; source_row=17297
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

A review of the record reflects that the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence establishing that he meets the plain language of the scholarly articles criterion.

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A review of the record reflects that the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence establishing that he meets the plain language of the scholarly articles criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_01_B2203; source_row=17286
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

intent to continue to work in the United States

Why AAO was not persuaded

The director did not address this issue, but the AAO found on its own review that the petitioner submitted no evidence of intent to continue work in the U.S., such as prospective employer letters, contracts, or a detailed plan.

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The director did not address this issue, but the AAO found on its own review that the petitioner submitted no evidence of intent to continue work in the U.S., such as prospective employer letters, contracts, or a detailed plan.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_01_B2203; source_row=17291
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary's qualifying experience for offered position

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found it correctly applied DOL regulations at 20 C.F.R. § 656.17(i)(3) to exclude the beneficiary's experience with the petitioning employer. Counsel's interpretation of 'substantially comparable' conflicted with BALCA precedent, and the petitioner failed to submit any evidence showing the beneficiary's current duties differed in time percentages from the offered position.

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The AAO found it correctly applied DOL regulations at 20 C.F.R. § 656.17(i)(3) to exclude the beneficiary's experience with the petitioning employer. Counsel's interpretation of 'substantially comparable' conflicted with BALCA precedent, and the petitioner failed to submit any evidence showing the beneficiary's current duties differed in time percentages from the offered position.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_05_B5203; source_row=17298
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found no documentary evidence demonstrating that the petitioner's work had influenced the field of special education as a whole or that she had achieved a record of demonstrable achievement with some degree of influence on the field at a national level. The petitioner's credentials did not exceed the average U.S. special educator, and the labor shortage issue was one for the Department of Labor, not a basis for a NIW.

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AAO found no documentary evidence demonstrating that the petitioner's work had influenced the field of special education as a whole or that she had achieved a record of demonstrable achievement with some degree of influence on the field at a national level. The petitioner's credentials did not exceed the average U.S. special educator, and the labor shortage issue was one for the Department of Labor, not a basis for a NIW.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-11-27_07_B5203; source_row=17304
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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