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 20861–20870

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

proffered position qualifies as advanced degree professional

Why the evidence was persuasive

Reading the Form 9089 as a whole, the educational component alone (master's degree or foreign equivalent in electrical engineering) qualifies the position as an advanced degree professional under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(4).

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Reading the Form 9089 as a whole, the educational component alone (master's degree or foreign equivalent in electrical engineering) qualifies the position as an advanced degree professional under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(4).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-31_05_B5203; source_row=17147
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets labor certification minimum requirements as of priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary's credential evaluator did not explain the rationale for equating a Master of Computer Applications degree with a Master of Science in Computer Science, leaving the record insufficient to establish the beneficiary meets the labor certification's field-of-study requirement.

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The beneficiary's credential evaluator did not explain the rationale for equating a Master of Computer Applications degree with a Master of Science in Computer Science, leaving the record insufficient to establish the beneficiary meets the labor certification's field-of-study requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-31_06_B5203; source_row=17149
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Labor certification requires advanced degree professional

Why the evidence was persuasive

The labor certification's H.8B limits the alternate qualification to an academic equivalent to a Master's degree, and H.8C sets experience acceptable at zero years, meaning no combination of lesser degree plus work experience is permitted as an alternate. The director's reading was therefore incorrect.

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The labor certification's H.8B limits the alternate qualification to an academic equivalent to a Master's degree, and H.8C sets experience acceptable at zero years, meaning no combination of lesser degree plus work experience is permitted as an alternate. The director's reading was therefore incorrect.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-31_06_B5203; source_row=17148
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets minimum qualifications of offered position

Why AAO was not persuaded

All employment letters show only registered nurse experience, not nursing supervisor experience as required by the ETA Form 9089. Multiple letters contain irreconcilable date discrepancies. The beneficiary's California nursing license does not cover the intended Utah workplace, and no reciprocity was established.

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All employment letters show only registered nurse experience, not nursing supervisor experience as required by the ETA Form 9089. Multiple letters contain irreconcilable date discrepancies. The beneficiary's California nursing license does not cover the intended Utah workplace, and no reciprocity was established.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-31_03_B5203; source_row=17145
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Petitioner will actually employ beneficiary in the offered position

Why AAO was not persuaded

Neither contract lists nurse supervisor as a position or includes work location details, and the employment agreement was executed four months after filing, lists the title as registered nurse (not nurse supervisor), and makes no mention of Utah work or licensing.

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Neither contract lists nurse supervisor as a position or includes work location details, and the employment agreement was executed four months after filing, lists the title as registered nurse (not nurse supervisor), and makes no mention of Utah work or licensing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-31_03_B5203; source_row=17146
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO concluded that accreditation by a recognized accrediting agency is an implicit requirement of an 'advanced degree' under the regulation, as it ensures a basic level of educational quality. The beneficiary's school was not accredited by any DOE- or CHEA-recognized accrediting body. BPPE approval and SEVIS enrollment authorization do not substitute for accreditation.…

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The AAO concluded that accreditation by a recognized accrediting agency is an implicit requirement of an 'advanced degree' under the regulation, as it ensures a basic level of educational quality. The beneficiary's school was not accredited by any DOE- or CHEA-recognized accrediting body. BPPE approval and SEVIS enrollment authorization do not substitute for accreditation. AAO also rejected the estoppel argument on jurisdictional grounds.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-30_02_B5203; source_row=17143
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay the proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO previously affirmed and again affirms that the petitioner failed to establish continuing ability to pay; unresolved W-2/Form 1040 inconsistencies and unaddressed personal household-expense gaps preclude a finding of ability to pay.

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AAO previously affirmed and again affirms that the petitioner failed to establish continuing ability to pay; unresolved W-2/Form 1040 inconsistencies and unaddressed personal household-expense gaps preclude a finding of ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-30_01_B5203; source_row=17142
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets labor certification minimum requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

Since the AAO does not credit the beneficiary's degree from the unaccredited institution as a valid master's degree, the beneficiary cannot satisfy the labor certification's master's degree requirement by the priority date.

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Since the AAO does not credit the beneficiary's degree from the unaccredited institution as a valid master's degree, the beneficiary cannot satisfy the labor certification's master's degree requirement by the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-30_02_B5203; source_row=17144
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that even if the beneficiary performed a critical role for the Division of Endocrinology, the regulation requires a leading or critical role for an organization or establishment as a whole (not just a division), and in any event requires evidence of such roles for organizations in the plural, which the petitioner did not establish.

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AAO agreed that even if the beneficiary performed a critical role for the Division of Endocrinology, the regulation requires a leading or critical role for an organization or establishment as a whole (not just a division), and in any event requires evidence of such roles for organizations in the plural, which the petitioner did not establish.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-29_02_B2203; source_row=17124
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AComparable evidenceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

Comparable evidence

comparable evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(4)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that a petitioner must first submit evidence meeting the plain language of three criteria or comparable evidence before relying on other evidence; evidence of a shortage would not be a relevant consideration in a final merits determination, and such issues fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor.

Why this is useful

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AAO held that a petitioner must first submit evidence meeting the plain language of three criteria or comparable evidence before relying on other evidence; evidence of a shortage would not be a relevant consideration in a final merits determination, and such issues fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-10-29_02_B2203; source_row=17125
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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