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 21112120

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 sufficient documentary evidence that the Petitioner received nationally and internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of running, withdrawing the Director's determination. The Petitioner's first- and second-place finishes at major marathons, confirmed by race results and media coverage, demonstrated top placement among large fields of competitors.

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AAO found sufficient documentary evidence that the Petitioner received nationally and internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of running, withdrawing the Director's determination. The Petitioner's first- and second-place finishes at major marathons, confirmed by race results and media coverage, demonstrated top placement among large fields of competitors.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-25_04_B2203; source_row=42013
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 agreed that the Petitioner's evidence was insufficient to show national importance. The evidence focused on the Petitioner's credentials and the industry's general importance rather than the prospective impact of his specific consulting services. His general claims about job creation were unsupported, and he did not explain how his services would offer original innovations or have wider implications beyond his own clients.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's evidence was insufficient to show national importance. The evidence focused on the Petitioner's credentials and the industry's general importance rather than the prospective impact of his specific consulting services. His general claims about job creation were unsupported, and he did not explain how his services would offer original innovations or have wider implications beyond his own clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_06_B5203; source_row=41981
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 agreed that the proposed beauty salon's staffing projections lacked evidentiary support, the business plan's revenue and employment projections were unsupported, and the endeavor would not rise to a level of national importance because it would not impact the cosmetology field or U.S. economy more broadly beyond the company and its clientele.

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AAO agreed that the proposed beauty salon's staffing projections lacked evidentiary support, the business plan's revenue and employment projections were unsupported, and the endeavor would not rise to a level of national importance because it would not impact the cosmetology field or U.S. economy more broadly beyond the company and its clientele.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_05_B5203; source_row=41978
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner's industry-wide data did not demonstrate the prospective impact of her specific endeavor. Her employment projections lacked corroborating evidence and did not show economic benefits at a nationally important scale. Her proposed methods were not shown to differ from or improve upon existing approaches such that they would have national or global implications within the field.

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AAO agreed the Petitioner's industry-wide data did not demonstrate the prospective impact of her specific endeavor. Her employment projections lacked corroborating evidence and did not show economic benefits at a nationally important scale. Her proposed methods were not shown to differ from or improve upon existing approaches such that they would have national or global implications within the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_09_B5203; source_row=41990
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the evidence of national or international recognition for the 2011 and 2015 awards was limited to self-serving statements from organizers and sponsors without sufficient corroborating evidence such as media coverage or affiliation with national/international federations. The 2012 and 2014 award evidence was also insufficient.

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AAO found the evidence of national or international recognition for the 2011 and 2015 awards was limited to self-serving statements from organizers and sponsors without sufficient corroborating evidence such as media coverage or affiliation with national/international federations. The 2012 and 2014 award evidence was also insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_02_B2203; source_row=41957
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner failed to submit objective, comparative circulation data for print editions of Caras and Gente or relative viewership rankings for Ciudad Magazine; publisher letters and digital/social media metrics were insufficient to establish major media status.

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AAO found that the Petitioner failed to submit objective, comparative circulation data for print editions of Caras and Gente or relative viewership rankings for Ciudad Magazine; publisher letters and digital/social media metrics were insufficient to establish major media status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_02_B2203; source_row=41959
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the AAL's own statute did not corroborate the president's letter claiming outstanding achievements are required for affiliated membership, and that the IDF statute provided no indication of outstanding-achievement requirements or expert judging of applicants.

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AAO found that the AAL's own statute did not corroborate the president's letter claiming outstanding achievements are required for affiliated membership, and that the IDF statute provided no indication of outstanding-achievement requirements or expert judging of applicants.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_02_B2203; source_row=41958
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the evidence did not show the Petitioner's home health care business would extend beyond her own patients or clients to impact the broader field, other industries, or the U.S. economy at a level commensurate with national importance.…

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AAO agreed that the evidence did not show the Petitioner's home health care business would extend beyond her own patients or clients to impact the broader field, other industries, or the U.S. economy at a level commensurate with national importance. The new employer letter addressed the Petitioner's skills (prong two), not national importance (prong one), and no corroborating evidence was submitted to support claims of broader economic benefits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_08_B5203; source_row=41987
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 agreed the first prong had not been adequately adjudicated. The Director failed to meaningfully analyze the evidence, relied solely on economic impact considerations, and did not address broader implications such as national or global implications within the field—an analysis required under Dhanasar. A new adjudication is required.

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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 the first prong had not been adequately adjudicated. The Director failed to meaningfully analyze the evidence, relied solely on economic impact considerations, and did not address broader implications such as national or global implications within the field—an analysis required under Dhanasar. A new adjudication is required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_07_B5203; source_row=41984
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO previously affirmed and reaffirmed that the letters and supplemental materials did not show widespread implementation or recognition of his contributions in the field.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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AAO previously affirmed and reaffirmed that the letters and supplemental materials did not show widespread implementation or recognition of his contributions in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_03_B2203; source_row=41966
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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