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 20812090

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the second prong because failure on national importance under the first prong was dispositive.

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 declined to reach the second prong because failure on national importance under the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_07_B5203; source_row=42071
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because failure on national importance under the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to reach the third prong because failure on national importance under the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_07_B5203; source_row=42072
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 formal final merits determination but noted in the aggregate that the record does not establish the acclaim and recognition required for extraordinary ability classification.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved the formal final merits determination but noted in the aggregate that the record does not establish the acclaim and recognition required for extraordinary ability classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_04_B2203; source_row=42043
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not analyze prong 2 because failure on prong 1 was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO did not analyze prong 2 because failure on prong 1 was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_04_B5203; source_row=42045
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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

AAO concluded the evidence showed at most local or regional impact in Florida and failed to demonstrate broader implications, significant potential to employ U.S. workers, or substantial positive economic effects on a national scale.

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 concluded the evidence showed at most local or regional impact in Florida and failed to demonstrate broader implications, significant potential to employ U.S. workers, or substantial positive economic effects on a national scale.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_04_B5203; source_row=42044
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO did not analyze prong 3 because failure on prong 1 was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO did not analyze prong 3 because failure on prong 1 was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_04_B5203; source_row=42046
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

PhysicsPhysicianPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met prong 1 because his research findings are disseminated to others in the field through scientific journals and conferences, supporting broader implications for the field.

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 agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met prong 1 because his research findings are disseminated to others in the field through scientific journals and conferences, supporting broader implications for the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_06_B5203; source_row=42062
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's favorable finding because Petitioner did not present independent, objective evidence of his membership with the organization, and did not show the organization qualifies as a professional association requiring members to hold a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO withdrew the Director's favorable finding because Petitioner did not present independent, objective evidence of his membership with the organization, and did not show the organization qualifies as a professional association requiring members to hold a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_05_B5203; source_row=42053
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

significant contributions (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not meet the three-criterion threshold regardless.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not meet the three-criterion threshold regardless.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_05_B5203; source_row=42054
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner's claimed timeline covers only approximately four-to-five years (2016-2020), short of ten years. The submitted employment letters do not indicate full-time experience, no letters were provided for the self-employment claim, and unresolved inconsistencies from a prior EB-1A proceeding regarding employment with [REDACTED] remain.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Petitioner's claimed timeline covers only approximately four-to-five years (2016-2020), short of ten years. The submitted employment letters do not indicate full-time experience, no letters were provided for the self-employment claim, and unresolved inconsistencies from a prior EB-1A proceeding regarding employment with [REDACTED] remain.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-26_05_B5203; source_row=42051
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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