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 21571–21580

NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

What the decision said

AAO does not separately analyze intrinsic merit; the dispositive issues are national scope and the comparison to a U.S. worker.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO does not separately analyze intrinsic merit; the dispositive issues are national scope and the comparison to a U.S. worker.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-10_04_B5203; source_row=16367
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO affirmed the director's favorable finding that the petitioner presented evidence of the display of his compositions at artistic exhibitions or showcases.

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The AAO affirmed the director's favorable finding that the petitioner presented evidence of the display of his compositions at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-10_03_B2203; source_row=16363
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,010 papers

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reconsider — legal error in prior AAO decision

Why AAO was not persuaded

The motion to reconsider largely restated previously rejected arguments, raised the salary criterion for the first time (having been abandoned on appeal), and failed to identify new law or a de novo legal error in the prior AAO decision. The AAO found no error in applying Matter of Katigbak to require eligibility as of the filing date.

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The motion to reconsider largely restated previously rejected arguments, raised the salary criterion for the first time (having been abandoned on appeal), and failed to identify new law or a de novo legal error in the prior AAO decision. The AAO found no error in applying Matter of Katigbak to require eligibility as of the filing date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-10_01_B2203; source_row=16347
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,010 papers

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reopen — new facts not previously available

Why AAO was not persuaded

Virtually all evidence had been previously submitted and rejected. The single new 2012 article added nothing because the record already contained evidence about the same athlete. The petitioner's health issues in 2002–2008 had no bearing on his ability to submit evidence at the time of the 2009 appeal.

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Virtually all evidence had been previously submitted and rejected. The single new 2012 article added nothing because the record already contained evidence about the same athlete. The petitioner's health issues in 2002–2008 had no bearing on his ability to submit evidence at the time of the 2009 appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-10_01_B2203; source_row=16348
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree requirement on ETA Form 9089

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the certified ETA Form 9089 unambiguously requires only a bachelor's degree and 18 months of experience. The replacement form lacked DOL certification and had signature dates predating the certified form, making the typographical error claim untenable. Job advertisements were not new evidence.

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AAO found that the certified ETA Form 9089 unambiguously requires only a bachelor's degree and 18 months of experience. The replacement form lacked DOL certification and had signature dates predating the certified form, making the typographical error claim untenable. Job advertisements were not new evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-08_03_B5203; source_row=16329
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent (bachelor's plus 5 years progressive experience)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO accepted that the beneficiary holds the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree but found he lacks the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience because none was listed on the certified labor certification.

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AAO accepted that the beneficiary holds the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree but found he lacks the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience because none was listed on the certified labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-08_10_B5203; source_row=16338
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via overall magnitude of business activities (Sonegawa totality)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the petitioner, while in business since 1993, presented no evidence of significant growth, outstanding business reputation, or uncharacteristic expenditures. The presence of 22 simultaneously pending immigrant petitions in light of its modest business size further undermined the realism of the job offer.

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AAO found the petitioner, while in business since 1993, presented no evidence of significant growth, outstanding business reputation, or uncharacteristic expenditures. The presence of 22 simultaneously pending immigrant petitions in light of its modest business size further undermined the realism of the job offer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-08_04_B5203; source_row=16334
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via wages actually paid to beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The only W-2 submitted showed the beneficiary was paid $61,078.69 in 2010, far below the proffered wage, so prima facie ability to pay could not be established through wages paid.

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The only W-2 submitted showed the beneficiary was paid $61,078.69 in 2010, far below the proffered wage, so prima facie ability to pay could not be established through wages paid.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-08_04_B5203; source_row=16330
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via net current assets

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's net current assets as shown on tax return Schedule L were $79,877 in 2009 and $34,142 in 2010, both well below the proffered wage of $96,013.

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The petitioner's net current assets as shown on tax return Schedule L were $79,877 in 2009 and $34,142 in 2010, both well below the proffered wage of $96,013.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-08_04_B5203; source_row=16332
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Ability to pay via net income

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the petitioner's net income initially appeared sufficient to pay this single beneficiary, 22 simultaneously pending I-140 petitions created a combined proffered wage shortfall of $626,972, far exceeding the petitioner's net income in both relevant years.

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While the petitioner's net income initially appeared sufficient to pay this single beneficiary, 22 simultaneously pending I-140 petitions created a combined proffered wage shortfall of $626,972, far exceeding the petitioner's net income in both relevant years.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-05-08_04_B5203; source_row=16331
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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