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 21951–21960

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent

What the decision said

AAO flagged serious doubts about the equivalency claim based on EDGE, but remanded the issue rather than deciding it, allowing the petitioner to submit additional evidence.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO flagged serious doubts about the equivalency claim based on EDGE, but remanded the issue rather than deciding it, allowing the petitioner to submit additional evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-25_01_B5203; source_row=15919
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary holds only an associate's degree, which does not constitute a foreign equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree. The credential evaluation combining education and experience cannot substitute for a single foreign equivalent baccalaureate degree under the regulation and its implementing history.

Why this is useful

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

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The beneficiary holds only an associate's degree, which does not constitute a foreign equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree. The credential evaluation combining education and experience cannot substitute for a single foreign equivalent baccalaureate degree under the regulation and its implementing history.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-22_02_B5203; source_row=15909
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO did not separately address the first prong in the motion decision but affirmed the prior dismissals in full, which had found insufficient merit in the petitioner's national interest waiver claim.

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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The AAO did not separately address the first prong in the motion decision but affirmed the prior dismissals in full, which had found insufficient merit in the petitioner's national interest waiver claim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-22_01_B5203; source_row=15906
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO affirmed the director's conclusion that the petitioner satisfied this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO affirmed the director's conclusion that the petitioner satisfied this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-22_01_B2203; source_row=15902
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded the petitioner satisfied this criterion, in agreement with the director.

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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AAO concluded the petitioner satisfied this criterion, in agreement with the director.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-22_01_B2203; source_row=15904
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the petitioner's research had impacted national/international health policy, including recognition by WHO/PAHO and EUPHA, use by the Canadian Heart Health Strategy, and reliance by the Canadian government on his work on life expectancy. His work was also frequently cited.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the petitioner's research had impacted national/international health policy, including recognition by WHO/PAHO and EUPHA, use by the Canadian Heart Health Strategy, and reliance by the Canadian government on his work on life expectancy. His work was also frequently cited.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-22_01_B2203; source_row=15903
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why the evidence was persuasive

Considering the totality of evidence, including impact on health policy nationally and internationally, frequent citation of his publications, media interviews, judging activities, and recruitment by a national health organization following an international search, AAO concluded the petitioner qualifies as an alien of extraordinary ability.

Why this is useful

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

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Considering the totality of evidence, including impact on health policy nationally and internationally, frequent citation of his publications, media interviews, judging activities, and recruitment by a national health organization following an international search, AAO concluded the petitioner qualifies as an alien of extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-22_01_B2203; source_row=15905
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the petitioner had not established that her contributions as a graphic designer — rather than as an author or principal creator — had any significant impact on Islamic-American understanding, and that a single project from 2004 did not establish a pattern justifying prospective national benefit beyond what a U.S. worker could provide.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that the petitioner had not established that her contributions as a graphic designer — rather than as an author or principal creator — had any significant impact on Islamic-American understanding, and that a single project from 2004 did not establish a pattern justifying prospective national benefit beyond what a U.S. worker could provide.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-22_01_B5203; source_row=15908
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the booklet's distribution was largely limited to one city's public school system, and the petitioner failed to demonstrate national scope of impact from her graphic design work.

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 found that the booklet's distribution was largely limited to one city's public school system, and the petitioner failed to demonstrate national scope of impact from her graphic design work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-22_01_B5203; source_row=15907
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 a professional holding an advanced degree

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the alternative requirements in Part H accept a combination of education, training, and/or experience, so the position does not require an advanced degree or the equivalent.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed that the alternative requirements in Part H accept a combination of education, training, and/or experience, so the position does not require an advanced degree or the equivalent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-21_06_B5203; source_row=15901
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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