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 21671–21680

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets minimum education requirement (bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO relied on EDGE (AACRAO) peer-reviewed information showing that a three-year South African Bachelor of Arts degree is comparable to only three years of U.S. university study, not a full four-year baccalaureate. The private evaluations were not persuasive because they lacked comparative analysis, did not address the beneficiary's actual courses of study, and were not peer-reviewed.…

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The AAO relied on EDGE (AACRAO) peer-reviewed information showing that a three-year South African Bachelor of Arts degree is comparable to only three years of U.S. university study, not a full four-year baccalaureate. The private evaluations were not persuasive because they lacked comparative analysis, did not address the beneficiary's actual courses of study, and were not peer-reviewed. A three-year degree cannot serve as a foreign equivalent degree to a U.S. baccalaureate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-23_01_B5203; source_row=16236
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the beneficiary's degree from India is more likely than not comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree in computer science, consistent with the equivalency evaluation and AACRAO EDGE database information.

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AAO found that the beneficiary's degree from India is more likely than not comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree in computer science, consistent with the equivalency evaluation and AACRAO EDGE database information.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-23_02_B5203; source_row=16237
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

bachelor's degree plus five years progressive experience alternative

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO's prior decision rejected this claim and the petitioner offers no new facts or legal basis to disturb that conclusion; the labor certification also expressly precluded any alternative combination of education and experience.

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The AAO's prior decision rejected this claim and the petitioner offers no new facts or legal basis to disturb that conclusion; the labor certification also expressly precluded any alternative combination of education and experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-23_03_B5203; source_row=16240
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

minimum education required by labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the Indian three-plus-two degree sequence is not a foreign equivalent of a U.S. master's degree, the beneficiary does not satisfy Part H's minimum education requirement.

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Because the Indian three-plus-two degree sequence is not a foreign equivalent of a U.S. master's degree, the beneficiary does not satisfy Part H's minimum education requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-23_03_B5203; source_row=16241
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of the alien's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that criterion (vii) is limited to visual artists and does not cover performances by performing artists. Because the petitioner is a violinist (performing artist) rather than a visual artist, her performances do not constitute display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.

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AAO held that criterion (vii) is limited to visual artists and does not cover performances by performing artists. Because the petitioner is a violinist (performing artist) rather than a visual artist, her performances do not constitute display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-19_01_B2203; source_row=16232
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to conduct a final merits determination because the petitioner failed to satisfy Step 1 (at least three criteria). AAO noted the evidence was insufficient but declined to formally explain that conclusion.

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AAO explicitly declined to conduct a final merits determination because the petitioner failed to satisfy Step 1 (at least three criteria). AAO noted the evidence was insufficient but declined to formally explain that conclusion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-19_01_B2203; source_row=16235
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

What the decision said

The petitioner initially submitted recordings but made no claims or documentation regarding commercial successes, and did not raise any legal or factual challenges on appeal. AAO concluded the claim was abandoned.

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The petitioner initially submitted recordings but made no claims or documentation regarding commercial successes, and did not raise any legal or factual challenges on appeal. AAO concluded the claim was abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-19_01_B2203; source_row=16234
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

The petitioner did not identify any factual or legal error in the director's conclusion on appeal, so AAO deemed the claim abandoned.

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The petitioner did not identify any factual or legal error in the director's conclusion on appeal, so AAO deemed the claim abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-19_01_B2203; source_row=16229
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

On appeal, the petitioner submitted letters from publication presidents and a chief editor providing circulation numbers that established the publications as professional or major trade publications. The articles featured the petitioner and her work as a violinist, satisfying all plain language requirements.

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On appeal, the petitioner submitted letters from publication presidents and a chief editor providing circulation numbers that established the publications as professional or major trade publications. The articles featured the petitioner and her work as a violinist, satisfying all plain language requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-19_01_B2203; source_row=16230
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Required statement on judicial proceedings — 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(1)(iii)

Why AAO was not persuaded

Counsel failed to submit the required statement as to whether the validity of the AAO's prior decision has been or is the subject of any judicial proceeding, rendering the motion procedurally defective.

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Counsel failed to submit the required statement as to whether the validity of the AAO's prior decision has been or is the subject of any judicial proceeding, rendering the motion procedurally defective.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-04-18_01_B2203; source_row=16228
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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