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 21541–21550

NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / StatisticsMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO rejected the argument that enactment of the NCLBA made math teaching inherently national in scope, noting that all employment-based classifications are based on Acts of Congress and Congress has not exempted math teachers from the job offer requirement. The petitioner's witness letters showed impact only in local classrooms and school systems.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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The AAO rejected the argument that enactment of the NCLBA made math teaching inherently national in scope, noting that all employment-based classifications are based on Acts of Congress and Congress has not exempted math teachers from the job offer requirement. The petitioner's witness letters showed impact only in local classrooms and school systems.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-15_01_B5203; source_row=16393
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerPhD

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner submitted salary comparisons limited to peers at the two universities where she worked, which is not an appropriate basis for comparison. The petitioner must show a high salary relative to others in the field nationally, not just compared to local peers at her employing institutions.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The petitioner submitted salary comparisons limited to peers at the two universities where she worked, which is not an appropriate basis for comparison. The petitioner must show a high salary relative to others in the field nationally, not just compared to local peers at her employing institutions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=16377
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

A three-year or vocational credential cannot constitute a 'foreign equivalent degree' to a U.S. baccalaureate. The beneficiary's credentials were issued by vocational/technical schools, not colleges or universities, and the credential evaluator's opinion has little probative value. A combination of lesser credentials cannot substitute for a single foreign equivalent of a four-year bachelor's degree.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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A three-year or vocational credential cannot constitute a 'foreign equivalent degree' to a U.S. baccalaureate. The beneficiary's credentials were issued by vocational/technical schools, not colleges or universities, and the credential evaluator's opinion has little probative value. A combination of lesser credentials cannot substitute for a single foreign equivalent of a four-year bachelor's degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-14_02_B5203; source_row=16382
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerPhD

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

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

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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The petitioner documented her authorship of scholarly articles and the AAO affirmed the director's finding that this criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=16375
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerPhD

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner submitted evidence showing she served as a peer reviewer, and the AAO affirmed the director's finding that this criterion was met.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner submitted evidence showing she served as a peer reviewer, and the AAO affirmed the director's finding that this criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=16373
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManagerPhD

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner submitted numerous expert letters and citation evidence, but the letters were largely conclusory and lacked specific examples of major impact. The citation record showed minimal to moderate independent citations (no article cited more than nine times independently), and there was no documentary evidence that the petitioner's models or findings were widely implemented throughout the field.…

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner submitted numerous expert letters and citation evidence, but the letters were largely conclusory and lacked specific examples of major impact. The citation record showed minimal to moderate independent citations (no article cited more than nine times independently), and there was no documentary evidence that the petitioner's models or findings were widely implemented throughout the field. Future potential impact could not establish eligibility at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-14_01_B2203; source_row=16374
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

required experience and specific skills as of priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

Required experience under the labor certification was supported only by a coworker affidavit for the 1999–2005 period, which does not satisfy 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1)'s requirement of an employer letter.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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Required experience under the labor certification was supported only by a coworker affidavit for the 1999–2005 period, which does not satisfy 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1)'s requirement of an employer letter.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-14_01_B5203; source_row=16380
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

foreign equivalent bachelor's degree

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that, because the three-year B.Tech. was sequential to and built upon the beneficiary's prior three-year Diploma in Engineering (with shared coursework per the registrar letter), the B.Tech. qualifies as the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO found that, because the three-year B.Tech. was sequential to and built upon the beneficiary's prior three-year Diploma in Engineering (with shared coursework per the registrar letter), the B.Tech. qualifies as the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-14_01_B5203; source_row=16379
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay the proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

The 2009 annual report submitted was for a separate corporate entity and predated the priority date; petitioner provided no qualifying tax returns, audited financial statements, or financial officer letter for itself.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The 2009 annual report submitted was for a separate corporate entity and predated the priority date; petitioner provided no qualifying tax returns, audited financial statements, or financial officer letter for itself.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-14_01_B5203; source_row=16381
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

other

Successor petitioner's ability to pay from acquisition date forward

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner's net income was $17,410,000 in 2010 and $9,969,000 in 2011, both exceeding the proffered wage of $61,000 per year. The director's contrary conclusion was therefore withdrawn.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The petitioner's net income was $17,410,000 in 2010 and $9,969,000 in 2011, both exceeding the proffered wage of $61,000 per year. The director's contrary conclusion was therefore withdrawn.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-14_03_B5203; source_row=16384
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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