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 21061–21070

NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

identity of the petitioning entity

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the differing business names all belonged to the same petitioner and there was no ambiguity about identity.

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AAO found the differing business names all belonged to the same petitioner and there was no ambiguity about identity.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-23_03_B5203; source_row=16925
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary's California pharmacist licensure

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the petitioner established the beneficiary's California pharmacist licensure from the priority date through the present.

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AAO found the petitioner established the beneficiary's California pharmacist licensure from the priority date through the present.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-23_03_B5203; source_row=16926
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the petitioner's collegiate chess team received a top-level championship award in 2009 and 2010 and the petitioner was a credited member, and that he individually finished first in a 2009 event, satisfying the plain language of the criterion.

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AAO found that the petitioner's collegiate chess team received a top-level championship award in 2009 and 2010 and the petitioner was a credited member, and that he individually finished first in a 2009 event, satisfying the plain language of the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-23_01_B2203; source_row=16917
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found insufficient initial evidence (no complete annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements), insufficient net income/net current assets for 2009-2012, no Sonegawa-type factors, and no documentation of ability to pay the combined wages for its 89 other I-140 beneficiaries.

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AAO found insufficient initial evidence (no complete annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements), insufficient net income/net current assets for 2009-2012, no Sonegawa-type factors, and no documentation of ability to pay the combined wages for its 89 other I-140 beneficiaries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-23_01_B5203; source_row=16922
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets minimum education requirements of labor certification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the beneficiary's two degrees and supporting credential evaluations demonstrate the foreign equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree in Computer Science or a related field, satisfying the labor certification's minimum education requirement.

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AAO found that the beneficiary's two degrees and supporting credential evaluations demonstrate the foreign equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree in Computer Science or a related field, satisfying the labor certification's minimum education requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-23_02_B5203; source_row=16923
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural EngineeringMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the beneficiary's degree-granting institution was not accredited by any agency recognized by the DOE or CHEA. The IAO was not shown to be a recognized accrediting agency. A degree from an unaccredited institution does not satisfy the regulatory definition of 'advanced degree,' and no alternative path (bachelor's plus five years of experience) was established.

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AAO found that the beneficiary's degree-granting institution was not accredited by any agency recognized by the DOE or CHEA. The IAO was not shown to be a recognized accrediting agency. A degree from an unaccredited institution does not satisfy the regulatory definition of 'advanced degree,' and no alternative path (bachelor's plus five years of experience) was established.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-22_04_B5203; source_row=16915
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

Why the evidence was persuasive

After reviewing the full record including newly submitted evidence, AAO found that the petitioner established by a preponderance of the evidence its continuing ability to pay the proffered wage from the priority date.

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After reviewing the full record including newly submitted evidence, AAO found that the petitioner established by a preponderance of the evidence its continuing ability to pay the proffered wage from the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-22_03_B5203; source_row=16914
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

Minimum experience requirement (60 months in proffered position of marketing manager)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary's prior experience was as a media buyer, which is not substantially the same as the proffered marketing manager position. Furthermore, the labor certification at H.10 precluded use of experience in an alternate occupation, and the beneficiary's experience with the petitioner could not qualify him because the petitioner answered 'no' to question J.21 and experience in an alternate occupation was not permitted.

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The beneficiary's prior experience was as a media buyer, which is not substantially the same as the proffered marketing manager position. Furthermore, the labor certification at H.10 precluded use of experience in an alternate occupation, and the beneficiary's experience with the petitioner could not qualify him because the petitioner answered 'no' to question J.21 and experience in an alternate occupation was not permitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-22_01_B5203; source_row=16913
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementMaster’s

Issue evaluated

other

Minimum education requirement (master's degree in business administration)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that USCIS must read the labor certification exactly as completed and may not look beyond its plain language. Both Part H and Part J of the labor certification required a master's degree, and the record only established a bachelor's degree. AAO also rejected the argument that a prevailing wage determination could override the plain language of the labor certification.

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AAO held that USCIS must read the labor certification exactly as completed and may not look beyond its plain language. Both Part H and Part J of the labor certification required a master's degree, and the record only established a bachelor's degree. AAO also rejected the argument that a prevailing wage determination could override the plain language of the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-22_01_B5203; source_row=16912
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay the proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The balance sheets were unaudited compilations and thus not persuasive evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2). The balance sheets were also unclear as to net current assets, and the petitioner's mixing of accrual and cash methods was unpersuasive.

Why this is useful

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The balance sheets were unaudited compilations and thus not persuasive evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2). The balance sheets were also unclear as to net current assets, and the petitioner's mixing of accrual and cash methods was unpersuasive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-08-22_05_B5203; source_row=16916
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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