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 211220

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with SCOPS that the Petitioner met the judging criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed with SCOPS that the Petitioner met the judging criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-12_01_B2203; source_row=44963
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

What the decision said

AAO declined to address this criterion because the Petitioner had already satisfied the required minimum of three criteria, making consideration of an additional criterion unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to address this criterion because the Petitioner had already satisfied the required minimum of three criteria, making consideration of an additional criterion unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-12_02_B2203; source_row=44976
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion through nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in footvolley.

Why this is useful

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Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion through nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in footvolley.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-12_02_B2203; source_row=44973
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published materials

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion through published materials about himself and his work.

Why this is useful

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

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Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion through published materials about himself and his work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-12_02_B2203; source_row=44974
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion by showing his U.S. coaching salary exceeds the average coaching salary in his geographical area.

Why this is useful

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Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion by showing his U.S. coaching salary exceeds the average coaching salary in his geographical area.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-12_02_B2203; source_row=44975
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 requirement

What the decision said

AAO found SCOPS' third-prong analysis insufficient because it did not adequately discuss the evidence weighed in the balancing or address the Petitioner's specific claims, precluding meaningful appellate review.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found SCOPS' third-prong analysis insufficient because it did not adequately discuss the evidence weighed in the balancing or address the Petitioner's specific claims, precluding meaningful appellate review.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-12_03_B5203; source_row=44983
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO did not resolve the prong but instructed SCOPS on remand to discuss the evidence and determine whether the record establishes the national importance of the proposed endeavor, noting some submissions were incomplete.

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 did not resolve the prong but instructed SCOPS on remand to discuss the evidence and determine whether the record establishes the national importance of the proposed endeavor, noting some submissions were incomplete.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-12_03_B5203; source_row=44981
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 faulted SCOPS for failing to sufficiently describe the evidence reviewed or meaningfully explain its shortcomings, particularly the support letters, and remanded without resolving the prong.

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 faulted SCOPS for failing to sufficiently describe the evidence reviewed or meaningfully explain its shortcomings, particularly the support letters, and remanded without resolving the prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-12_03_B5203; source_row=44982
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees substantial merit is shown but finds the evidence demonstrates only impact to the Petitioner's clients, not broader implications for the metal fabrication industry. Importance of the field is not equivalent to importance of the specific endeavor, and the economic/job-creation claims are conclusory and unsupported.

Why this is useful

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AAO agrees substantial merit is shown but finds the evidence demonstrates only impact to the Petitioner's clients, not broader implications for the metal fabrication industry. Importance of the field is not equivalent to importance of the specific endeavor, and the economic/job-creation claims are conclusory and unsupported.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-11_01_B5203; source_row=44949
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the awards went to the Petitioner's employer, not to the Petitioner personally. The October 2024 policy guidance requires that the person be a named recipient of the award, not merely an employee of the winning entity. Colleague letters were unpersuasive because the colleagues were not privy to the awarding entities' decision-making.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the awards went to the Petitioner's employer, not to the Petitioner personally. The October 2024 policy guidance requires that the person be a named recipient of the award, not merely an employee of the winning entity. Colleague letters were unpersuasive because the colleagues were not privy to the awarding entities' decision-making.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-11_01_B2203; source_row=44943
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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