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 21812190

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, waiving the job offer requirement would benefit the United States

What the decision said

Because the first prong was dispositive, the AAO explicitly reserved the third prong and declined to reach it.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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Because the first prong was dispositive, the AAO explicitly reserved the third prong and declined to reach it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_05_B5203; source_row=41891
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded that because qualification for PGA Tour Americas requires placement in selective competitive tournaments or a handicap reflecting a top-five-percent skill level, membership requires outstanding achievement and the criterion is met.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO concluded that because qualification for PGA Tour Americas requires placement in selective competitive tournaments or a handicap reflecting a top-five-percent skill level, membership requires outstanding achievement and the criterion is met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_01_B2203; source_row=41875
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 for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the record showed contractual obligations and compensation but did not establish how the sponsorship made the Petitioner a leader within or significant contributor to the companies.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed the record showed contractual obligations and compensation but did not establish how the sponsorship made the Petitioner a leader within or significant contributor to the companies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_01_B2203; source_row=41877
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director's determination that this criterion was satisfied.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed with the Director's determination that this criterion was satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_01_B2203; source_row=41874
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong two; the motion focused on the prong-one analysis from the prior appeal decision.

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 did not reach prong two; the motion focused on the prong-one analysis from the prior appeal decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_09_B5203; source_row=41902
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong three.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO did not reach prong three.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_09_B5203; source_row=41903
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 did not reach the second or third Dhanasar prongs because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong, making resolution of remaining prongs unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO did not reach the second or third Dhanasar prongs because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong, making resolution of remaining prongs unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_06_B5203; source_row=41893
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 and labor certification requirements

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the third Dhanasar prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO did not reach the third Dhanasar prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_06_B5203; source_row=41894
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the colleague letters did not detail how the Petitioner's contributions amounted to significant contributions to the broader industry or field of project management, nor that he was recognized for any such achievements.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the colleague letters did not detail how the Petitioner's contributions amounted to significant contributions to the broader industry or field of project management, nor that he was recognized for any such achievements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_02_B5203; source_row=41884
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license to practice the profession or certification for a particular profession or occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO previously agreed with the Director that this criterion was not met, and the Petitioner does not contest this on motion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO previously agreed with the Director that this criterion was not met, and the Petitioner does not contest this on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-20_02_B5203; source_row=41881
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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