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 21311–21320

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Net income from tax returns

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's 2011 Form 1120S showed net income of negative $158,779, and the petitioner did not submit a 2012 tax return, so net income does not establish ability to pay.

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The petitioner's 2011 Form 1120S showed net income of negative $158,779, and the petitioner did not submit a 2012 tax return, so net income does not establish ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-21_04_B5203; source_row=16656
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Bank account balances as alternative evidence

Why AAO was not persuaded

Bank statements are not among the three types of evidence enumerated in 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2), cannot show a sustainable ability to pay, and the petitioner did not demonstrate the funds reflected were unavailable from the tax returns.

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Bank statements are not among the three types of evidence enumerated in 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2), cannot show a sustainable ability to pay, and the petitioner did not demonstrate the funds reflected were unavailable from the tax returns.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-21_04_B5203; source_row=16658
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Despite multiple expert letters praising the petitioner's work in highway alignment design, unconventional intersection analysis, and infrastructure maintenance, the petitioner did not provide specific evidence that his contributions were widely implemented or heavily cited at a level indicative of major significance.…

Why this is useful

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

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Despite multiple expert letters praising the petitioner's work in highway alignment design, unconventional intersection analysis, and infrastructure maintenance, the petitioner did not provide specific evidence that his contributions were widely implemented or heavily cited at a level indicative of major significance. Citation counts were minimal to moderate (no article independently cited more than 10 times), and letters were largely conclusory without concrete examples of field-wide impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-20_01_B2203; source_row=16618
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record (degree relating to area of exceptional ability)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary's claimed area of exceptional ability is olive wood carving; his computer science and management degrees do not relate to that area.

Why this is useful

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The beneficiary's claimed area of exceptional ability is olive wood carving; his computer science and management degrees do not relate to that area.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-20_03_B5203; source_row=16625
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The single W-2 showed wages of $25,000, less than the prevailing wage of $38,688, and the petitioner did not explain how a below-prevailing-wage salary demonstrates exceptional ability.

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The single W-2 showed wages of $25,000, less than the prevailing wage of $38,688, and the petitioner did not explain how a below-prevailing-wage salary demonstrates exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-20_03_B5203; source_row=16627
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Foreign degree equivalency to U.S. bachelor's degree

Why the evidence was persuasive

Relying on EDGE (AACRAO), AAO found that a Bachelor of Engineering degree in the Indian educational system is awarded after four years of tertiary study and is comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree, establishing that the beneficiary holds a qualifying degree.

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Relying on EDGE (AACRAO), AAO found that a Bachelor of Engineering degree in the Indian educational system is awarded after four years of tertiary study and is comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree, establishing that the beneficiary holds a qualifying degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-20_04_B5203; source_row=16633
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Five years of requisite work experience per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO raised this issue sua sponte beyond the director's decision. The employment certificates corroborating the beneficiary's work history lack descriptions of duties and training, and one certificate reflects a geographic inconsistency (Indian address for a supposedly Texas-based employer), leaving the five-year experience requirement unestablished.

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AAO raised this issue sua sponte beyond the director's decision. The employment certificates corroborating the beneficiary's work history lack descriptions of duties and training, and one certificate reflects a geographic inconsistency (Indian address for a supposedly Texas-based employer), leaving the five-year experience requirement unestablished.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-20_04_B5203; source_row=16634
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner documented authorship of scholarly articles and AAO affirmed the director's finding that this criterion was met.

Why this is useful

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The petitioner documented authorship of scholarly articles and AAO affirmed the director's finding that this criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-20_01_B2203; source_row=16619
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner submitted evidence of peer-reviewing manuscripts for multiple journals and serving as a Session Chair at conferences. AAO affirmed the director's finding that this criterion was met.

Why this is useful

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The petitioner submitted evidence of peer-reviewing manuscripts for multiple journals and serving as a Session Chair at conferences. AAO affirmed the director's finding that this criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-20_01_B2203; source_row=16617
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the director's finding: the record does not establish a baccalaureate is required for entry into the occupation, the letter does not explicitly state the beneficiary is a member, and the regulation requires plural 'associations.'

Why this is useful

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AAO withdrew the director's finding: the record does not establish a baccalaureate is required for entry into the occupation, the letter does not explicitly state the beneficiary is a member, and the regulation requires plural 'associations.'
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-06-20_03_B5203; source_row=16628
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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