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 20712080

NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the Petitioner's tax consulting endeavor is substantially meritorious, the record did not establish national importance. The Petitioner's business plan projections did not demonstrate substantial economic benefits at a national level, and her endeavor would not result in broader implications beyond the immediate benefits to her prospective clients.…

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Although the Petitioner's tax consulting endeavor is substantially meritorious, the record did not establish national importance. The Petitioner's business plan projections did not demonstrate substantial economic benefits at a national level, and her endeavor would not result in broader implications beyond the immediate benefits to her prospective clients. The newly proposed application on motion also failed to establish national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_02_B5203; source_row=42029
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director mischaracterized the membership letter, which did discuss requirements of membership in the association, and overlooked submitted letters, meeting minutes, and member biographies addressing the outstanding achievement requirements. AAO remanded for proper analysis.

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AAO found the Director mischaracterized the membership letter, which did discuss requirements of membership in the association, and overlooked submitted letters, meeting minutes, and member biographies addressing the outstanding achievement requirements. AAO remanded for proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_02_B2203; source_row=42026
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner in professional or major trade publications

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director erred by ignoring record information indicating PR in Russia and Adindex are professional publications, and misapplied Braga v. Poulos by equating concrete circulation data with unsupported marketing claims. AAO remanded for proper analysis.

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AAO found the Director erred by ignoring record information indicating PR in Russia and Adindex are professional publications, and misapplied Braga v. Poulos by equating concrete circulation data with unsupported marketing claims. AAO remanded for proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_02_B2203; source_row=42027
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO remands for the Director to conduct the final merits determination on the full record, without limiting review to re-evaluation of individual criteria evidence.

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AAO remands for the Director to conduct the final merits determination on the full record, without limiting review to re-evaluation of individual criteria evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_01_B2203; source_row=42025
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director erred by applying the retired Adjudicator's Field Manual standard requiring circulation data. Under the current USCIS Policy Manual, the relevant factor is intended audience; the Petitioner's articles are directed at aerospace professionals and thus published in professional publications, satisfying the criterion.

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AAO found the Director erred by applying the retired Adjudicator's Field Manual standard requiring circulation data. Under the current USCIS Policy Manual, the relevant factor is intended audience; the Petitioner's articles are directed at aerospace professionals and thus published in professional publications, satisfying the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_01_B2203; source_row=42021
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director's findings unsupported by the record. Letters from Ethiopian ministries confirmed the certificates were awarded for excellence, and the certificates from federal government agencies reflected national recognition.

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AAO found the Director's findings unsupported by the record. Letters from Ethiopian ministries confirmed the certificates were awarded for excellence, and the certificates from federal government agencies reflected national recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_06_B2203; source_row=42056
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the published material criterion.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the published material criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_06_B2203; source_row=42057
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

prospective benefit to the United States

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner had sufficiently resolved the perceived discrepancy and that, under the immigration service's broad interpretation of 'substantially benefit,' his construction and infrastructure plans satisfied the requirement.

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AAO found the Petitioner had sufficiently resolved the perceived discrepancy and that, under the immigration service's broad interpretation of 'substantially benefit,' his construction and infrastructure plans satisfied the requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_06_B2203; source_row=42061
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the high salary criterion.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the high salary criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_06_B2203; source_row=42058
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 reserved the final merits determination under Bagamasbad, but noted in dicta that the record in aggregate does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the very top of her field.

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AAO reserved the final merits determination under Bagamasbad, but noted in dicta that the record in aggregate does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the very top of her field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_07_B2203; source_row=42069
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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