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 21451–21460

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

successor-in-interest to labor certification employer

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed to document the claimed transaction with the labor certification employer through any documentary evidence, despite multiple opportunities. The AAO also agreed with the director that an outsourcing arrangement — where the predecessor paid the petitioner for IT services and some employees were transferred — does not constitute the acquisition of essential rights and obligations necessary to carry on the…

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The petitioner failed to document the claimed transaction with the labor certification employer through any documentary evidence, despite multiple opportunities. The AAO also agreed with the director that an outsourcing arrangement — where the predecessor paid the petitioner for IT services and some employees were transferred — does not constitute the acquisition of essential rights and obligations necessary to carry on the predecessor's business.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-24_01_B5203; source_row=16490
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets minimum education requirement on labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The labor certification specified a Master's degree in an IT-related field or alternately in computer science, engineering, MBA, or a related field. The beneficiary's Master of Science was in biology, which does not fall within those required fields. The petitioner offered no documentary evidence on appeal to counter this finding.

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The labor certification specified a Master's degree in an IT-related field or alternately in computer science, engineering, MBA, or a related field. The beneficiary's Master of Science was in biology, which does not fall within those required fields. The petitioner offered no documentary evidence on appeal to counter this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-23_05_B5203; source_row=16485
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets labor certification educational requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The labor certification unambiguously requires a master's degree or bachelor's degree plus 60 months of experience; the beneficiary's associate membership is not a degree from a college or university and does not constitute a foreign equivalent degree above the baccalaureate level. The petitioner's claimed intent is irrelevant because the labor certification is not ambiguous.

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The labor certification unambiguously requires a master's degree or bachelor's degree plus 60 months of experience; the beneficiary's associate membership is not a degree from a college or university and does not constitute a foreign equivalent degree above the baccalaureate level. The petitioner's claimed intent is irrelevant because the labor certification is not ambiguous.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-23_01_B5203; source_row=16483
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's AGI was negative in nearly every year from 2001 to 2011. The W-2 wages actually paid in 2001–2007 were inconsistent with the lower wage amounts shown on tax returns, undermining credibility. The Yates Memorandum does not override the regulation's plain requirement of continuing ability to pay.…

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The petitioner's AGI was negative in nearly every year from 2001 to 2011. The W-2 wages actually paid in 2001–2007 were inconsistent with the lower wage amounts shown on tax returns, undermining credibility. The Yates Memorandum does not override the regulation's plain requirement of continuing ability to pay. Bank account statements, unaudited financial statements, real estate, and incomplete CD records did not cure the deficiencies. The totality of circumstances under Matter of Sonegawa also did not establish ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-23_04_B5203; source_row=16484
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner submitted various awards but they were undermined by falsified supporting documents, uncertified translations, contradictory evidence, and failure to demonstrate national or international recognition of the awards beyond the presenting organizations.

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The petitioner submitted various awards but they were undermined by falsified supporting documents, uncertified translations, contradictory evidence, and failure to demonstrate national or international recognition of the awards beyond the presenting organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-22_01_B2203; source_row=16440
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why AAO was not persuaded

Counsel's assertion that the petitioner founded and directed a major art organization was unsupported by documentary evidence. The employment letter from another organization failed to establish that the organization existed at the relevant time or that the petitioner performed in a leading or critical role.

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Counsel's assertion that the petitioner founded and directed a major art organization was unsupported by documentary evidence. The employment letter from another organization failed to establish that the organization existed at the relevant time or that the petitioner performed in a leading or critical role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-22_01_B2203; source_row=16445
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

Counsel's unsupported assertion of membership in an association was not backed by documentary evidence, and there was no showing that the organizations require outstanding achievements of members as judged by recognized national or international experts.

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Counsel's unsupported assertion of membership in an association was not backed by documentary evidence, and there was no showing that the organizations require outstanding achievements of members as judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-22_01_B2203; source_row=16441
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent degree

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the evaluations unpersuasive because they did not assign credits, explain methodology, or compare coursework to U.S. programs, and the issuing organization is not an academic institution that can confer a degree. EDGE does not treat the associate membership as a college/university degree.

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AAO found the evaluations unpersuasive because they did not assign credits, explain methodology, or compare coursework to U.S. programs, and the issuing organization is not an academic institution that can confer a degree. EDGE does not treat the associate membership as a college/university degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-22_05_B5203; source_row=16452
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

FinanceBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional - job requirements per ETA Form 9089

Why AAO was not persuaded

The job offer portion of the ETA Form 9089 requires only a bachelor's degree and 3 months of experience, which is below the advanced-degree minimum. USCIS cannot re-adjudicate the petition under a different classification or accept material changes to make a deficient petition conform to requirements.

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The job offer portion of the ETA Form 9089 requires only a bachelor's degree and 3 months of experience, which is below the advanced-degree minimum. USCIS cannot re-adjudicate the petition under a different classification or accept material changes to make a deficient petition conform to requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-22_13_B5203; source_row=16480
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

ETA Form 9089 requires advanced degree professional

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO raised this issue independently of the director. The ETA Form 9089 listed 'other' education and 60 months of experience as alternative requirements, which fall below the minimum for an advanced degree professional (bachelor's plus five years progressive experience).…

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AAO raised this issue independently of the director. The ETA Form 9089 listed 'other' education and 60 months of experience as alternative requirements, which fall below the minimum for an advanced degree professional (bachelor's plus five years progressive experience). The Kellogg language inserted in Question 8-B does not change the analysis because AAO does not treat it as authorizing acceptance of qualifications below the stated primary and alternative requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-22_06_B5203; source_row=16455
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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