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 22141–22150

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 concluded that local work in service of a national goal does not itself yield a benefit national in scope, and the petitioner did not show her work, by itself, benefits the United States as a whole.

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 concluded that local work in service of a national goal does not itself yield a benefit national in scope, and the petitioner did not show her work, by itself, benefits the United States as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-23_01_B5203; source_row=15686
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

serve the national interest to a substantially greater degree than an available U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found counsel made little effort to distinguish the petitioner from other qualified professionals in her field; certificates were not shown to be significant, witness letters did not show benefit beyond her classroom, and articles did not show she initiated reforms with national results.

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 counsel made little effort to distinguish the petitioner from other qualified professionals in her field; certificates were not shown to be significant, witness letters did not show benefit beyond her classroom, and articles did not show she initiated reforms with national results.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-23_01_B5203; source_row=15687
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

specific allegation of error

Why AAO was not persuaded

The four-paragraph statement on appeal was copied entirely from a prior RFE response and identified no specific error in the denial.

Why this is useful

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

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The four-paragraph statement on appeal was copied entirely from a prior RFE response and identified no specific error in the denial.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-23_02_B5203; source_row=15695
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time achievement (major internationally recognized award)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the petitioner's first place finish in an age-limited competition (under 15) was not reported in top international media and was not open to the petitioner's entire field, so it could not be considered one of the top awards in the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the petitioner's first place finish in an age-limited competition (under 15) was not reported in top international media and was not open to the petitioner's entire field, so it could not be considered one of the top awards in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=15678
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

The AAO held that this criterion is generally limited to the visual arts. Because the petitioner performed in an athletic display or coached those who did, rather than creating tangible pieces of art displayed at exhibitions or showcases, she did not submit qualifying evidence.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO held that this criterion is generally limited to the visual arts. Because the petitioner performed in an athletic display or coached those who did, rather than creating tangible pieces of art displayed at exhibitions or showcases, she did not submit qualifying evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=15682
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

Original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that expert letters asserting the petitioner's techniques were adopted by leading instructors lacked specificity—they did not name any instructors who adopted the techniques or provide corroborating documentary evidence. Even assuming one original contribution, the regulation requires contributions in the plural. Vague solicited letters without specific examples of field-wide impact are insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that expert letters asserting the petitioner's techniques were adopted by leading instructors lacked specificity—they did not name any instructors who adopted the techniques or provide corroborating documentary evidence. Even assuming one original contribution, the regulation requires contributions in the plural. Vague solicited letters without specific examples of field-wide impact are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=15681
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 organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner claimed eligibility based on only one organization, but the regulation requires a leading or critical role for organizations or establishments in the plural. Additionally, the letter from the organization did not specify how the petitioner contributed to it in a significant way or what role she played in its activities.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner claimed eligibility based on only one organization, but the regulation requires a leading or critical role for organizations or establishments in the plural. Additionally, the letter from the organization did not specify how the petitioner contributed to it in a significant way or what role she played in its activities.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=15683
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

Published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO affirmed the director's favorable determination on this criterion without further elaboration.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO affirmed the director's favorable determination on this criterion without further elaboration.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-22_02_B2203; source_row=15680
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Beneficiary qualifications – minimum education (master's degree or foreign equivalent)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The credential evaluations were unpersuasive because they did not compare the beneficiary's actual coursework to a U.S. master's program and were not peer-reviewed. The record also lacked an official academic record showing award of the degree, and inconsistencies between the university certificate and the controller of examinations letter raised authenticity concerns.

Why this is useful

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

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The credential evaluations were unpersuasive because they did not compare the beneficiary's actual coursework to a U.S. master's program and were not peer-reviewed. The record also lacked an official academic record showing award of the degree, and inconsistencies between the university certificate and the controller of examinations letter raised authenticity concerns.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-16_02_B5203; source_row=15674
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

job offer requires an advanced degree professional

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the petitioner did not show what specific tasks could not be performed by an RN with a bachelor's degree or less, and the position is indistinguishable from an ordinary RN.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO concluded the petitioner did not show what specific tasks could not be performed by an RN with a bachelor's degree or less, and the position is indistinguishable from an ordinary RN.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-16_03_B5203; source_row=15676
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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