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 22211–22220

NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concurred with the director that the petitioner's work is in an area of intrinsic merit.

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 concurred with the director that the petitioner's work is in an area of intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-09_01_B5203; source_row=15600
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 a U.S. worker with the same minimum qualifications

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's citation record showed only one independent cite and one self-cite, which was not indicative of notable influence on the field. The expert letters largely discussed future promise rather than demonstrated past impact. The patent applications were authored by the petitioner's father, not the petitioner.…

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 petitioner's citation record showed only one independent cite and one self-cite, which was not indicative of notable influence on the field. The expert letters largely discussed future promise rather than demonstrated past impact. The patent applications were authored by the petitioner's father, not the petitioner. The letters of support came primarily from the petitioner's professors and institutional affiliates, and could not establish influence over the field as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-09_03_B5203; source_row=15615
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO concurred with the director that the petitioner's work is in an area of intrinsic merit.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
The AAO concurred with the director that the petitioner's work is in an area of intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-09_03_B5203; source_row=15613
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO concurred with the director that the proposed benefits of the petitioner's work would be national in scope.

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 concurred with the director that the proposed benefits of the petitioner's work would be national in scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-09_03_B5203; source_row=15614
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

timely filing of appeal

Why AAO was not persuaded

Counsel dated the Form I-290B 34 days after issuance and the Service Center received it 35 days after issuance, beyond the 33-day deadline.

Why this is useful

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

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Counsel dated the Form I-290B 34 days after issuance and the Service Center received it 35 days after issuance, beyond the 33-day deadline.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-03_01_B5203; source_row=15592
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalFaculty

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 concluded that witness letters offered general praise without documenting actual influence; the petitioner failed to submit citation evidence or other objective documentation of impact, and witnesses' speculation that citations would emerge in the future is insufficient because eligibility must be established as of the filing date.

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 concluded that witness letters offered general praise without documenting actual influence; the petitioner failed to submit citation evidence or other objective documentation of impact, and witnesses' speculation that citations would emerge in the future is insufficient because eligibility must be established as of the filing date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-09_04_B5203; source_row=15618
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 petitioner's scenario was speculative, using the word 'might' twice when predicting results, and no evidence showed the strategy had proven effective.

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 petitioner's scenario was speculative, using the word 'might' twice when predicting results, and no evidence showed the strategy had proven effective.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-02_01_B5203; source_row=15590
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 a U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters on motion did not show the petitioner was engaged in ongoing, influential HIV/AIDS work as of the filing date; they showed only future plans still in embryonic stages years after the filing.

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 letters on motion did not show the petitioner was engaged in ongoing, influential HIV/AIDS work as of the filing date; they showed only future plans still in embryonic stages years after the filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-02_01_B5203; source_row=15591
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 found pervasive credibility problems: HIV/AIDS was emphasized in the petitioner's work only in immigration filings, while employer public materials focused on entirely unrelated missions. New submissions on motion were post-dated and speculative.

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 found pervasive credibility problems: HIV/AIDS was emphasized in the petitioner's work only in immigration filings, while employer public materials focused on entirely unrelated missions. New submissions on motion were post-dated and speculative.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2013-01-02_01_B5203; source_row=15589
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

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 failed to document past employment and contributions setting him apart from others in the field. A job offer letter and a list of seven roles, without supporting employer letters or evidence of influence on the field, were insufficient. The petitioner's reliance on the importance of his specialization and on unpublished decisions was unavailing.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The petitioner failed to document past employment and contributions setting him apart from others in the field. A job offer letter and a list of seven roles, without supporting employer letters or evidence of influence on the field, were insufficient. The petitioner's reliance on the importance of his specialization and on unpublished decisions was unavailing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-12-28_01_B5203; source_row=15588
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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