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.
member of the professions holding an advanced degree
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO had withdrawn the director's favorable finding because the record did not show degree equivalency, five years of progressive experience, or that the intended occupation qualifies as a profession; the motion submissions do not cure these deficiencies.
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The AAO had withdrawn the director's favorable finding because the record did not show degree equivalency, five years of progressive experience, or that the intended occupation qualifies as a profession; the motion submissions do not cure these deficiencies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-20_03_B5203; source_row=15885 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Civil / Structural Engineering
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
national interest substantially greater than available U.S. worker
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO found that the petitioner's citation record traced entirely to one collaborator/supervisor, that witnesses were all close associates rather than independent parties, and that the petitioner had not documented adoption of his methods by third parties. The petitioner's current work developing state plans appeared to be a basic job function rather than an unusual achievement.
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The AAO found that the petitioner's citation record traced entirely to one collaborator/supervisor, that witnesses were all close associates rather than independent parties, and that the petitioner had not documented adoption of his methods by third parties. The petitioner's current work developing state plans appeared to be a basic job function rather than an unusual achievement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-20_04_B5203; source_row=15893 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Civil / Structural Engineering
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial intrinsic merit
Why the evidence was persuasive
The AAO acknowledged that the petitioner's occupation and research area have intrinsic merit, noting that witness letters addressed the importance of the field, though they did not distinguish the petitioner from other qualified professionals.
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The AAO acknowledged that the petitioner's occupation and research area have intrinsic merit, noting that witness letters addressed the importance of the field, though they did not distinguish the petitioner from other qualified professionals.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-20_04_B5203; source_row=15891 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Medicine / Clinical
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial intrinsic merit
What the decision said
The AAO did not separately address the first NYSDOT prong, focusing its analysis on the overall failure to establish national interest, particularly the third prong regarding serving the national interest to a substantially greater degree than a U.S. worker.
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The AAO did not separately address the first NYSDOT prong, focusing its analysis on the overall failure to establish national interest, particularly the third prong regarding serving the national interest to a substantially greater degree than a U.S. worker.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-20_01_B5203; source_row=15879 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Medicine / Clinical
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
national in scope
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO rejected the argument that students dispersing across the country established national scope, finding that their subsequent dispersal dilutes rather than expands the petitioner's impact as an educator.
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AAO rejected the argument that students dispersing across the country established national scope, finding that their subsequent dispersal dilutes rather than expands the petitioner's impact as an educator.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-20_01_B5203; source_row=15880 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mathematics / Statistics
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
national in scope
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO finds local work in pursuit of a national goal does not necessarily yield benefit national in scope, and the petitioner did not show her individual efforts produce nationwide benefits.
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AAO finds local work in pursuit of a national goal does not necessarily yield benefit national in scope, and the petitioner did not show her individual efforts produce nationwide benefits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-20_02_B5203; source_row=15883 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
serves the national interest to a substantially greater degree than an available U.S. worker
Why AAO was not persuaded
The petitioner offered no commitment evidence from the institutions central to his plans, relied on post-filing achievements that cannot retroactively establish eligibility, and provided only unsupported assertions about his project.
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The petitioner offered no commitment evidence from the institutions central to his plans, relied on post-filing achievements that cannot retroactively establish eligibility, and provided only unsupported assertions about his project.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-20_03_B5203; source_row=15890 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
official academic record relating to area of exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))
Why the evidence was persuasive
The three-year visual arts degree and the five-month course materials satisfy the plain wording of the regulation, though the sociology degree and English diploma do not.
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The three-year visual arts degree and the five-month course materials satisfy the plain wording of the regulation, though the sociology degree and English diploma do not.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-20_03_B5203; source_row=15886 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))
Why AAO was not persuaded
The supporting letters lacked compliant translator certifications, were submitted late on motion when they should have been submitted in response to the RFE, and did not specify that the employment was full-time.
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The supporting letters lacked compliant translator certifications, were submitted late on motion when they should have been submitted in response to the RFE, and did not specify that the employment was full-time.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-02-20_03_B5203; source_row=15887 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c