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 21312140

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to review the second prong because many of the relevant exhibits (Exhibits 8–29) are missing from the appellate record, making meaningful review impossible. The matter is remanded for a new adjudication.

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 review the second prong because many of the relevant exhibits (Exhibits 8–29) are missing from the appellate record, making meaningful review impossible. The matter is remanded for a new adjudication.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_07_B5203; source_row=41985
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to review the third prong because a new first-line adjudication of the first prong is required and the appellate record is incomplete as to the second prong.

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 explicitly declined to review the third prong because a new first-line adjudication of the first prong is required and the appellate record is incomplete as to the second prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_07_B5203; source_row=41986
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

What the decision said

AAO declined to consider this criterion because Petitioner did not raise it on appeal and clarified the initial claim was submitted in error.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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AAO declined to consider this criterion because Petitioner did not raise it on appeal and clarified the initial claim was submitted in error.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_03_B2203; source_row=41967
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the high salary criterion was satisfied.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed the high salary criterion was satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_03_B2203; source_row=41969
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO previously affirmed denial under (iii) and did not reverse on motion.

Why this is useful

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AAO previously affirmed denial under (iii) and did not reverse on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_03_B2203; source_row=41964
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

On the reopened record, AAO concluded the supplemental evidence established service as a judge of others' work in the same or allied field.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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On the reopened record, AAO concluded the supplemental evidence established service as a judge of others' work in the same or allied field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_03_B2203; source_row=41965
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the leading/critical role criterion was satisfied.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed the leading/critical role criterion was satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_03_B2203; source_row=41968
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

Petitioner submitted scholarly articles in tax law published on his previous employer's website and in two Brazilian publications, including a well-known long-running Brazilian newspaper of record. A Britannica reference confirms the newspaper's prestige and longevity, qualifying it as major media.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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Petitioner submitted scholarly articles in tax law published on his previous employer's website and in two Brazilian publications, including a well-known long-running Brazilian newspaper of record. A Britannica reference confirms the newspaper's prestige and longevity, qualifying it as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_01_B2203; source_row=41951
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

Evidence shows Petitioner served as an instructor evaluating and rating coursework of his students, and the record documents his judging the work of others in his field of specialization.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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Evidence shows Petitioner served as an instructor evaluating and rating coursework of his students, and the record documents his judging the work of others in his field of specialization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_01_B2203; source_row=41949
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organization

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO does not disturb the Director's determination that the Petitioner met (viii).

Why this is useful

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AAO does not disturb the Director's determination that the Petitioner met (viii).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-22_01_B2203; source_row=41952
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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