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 22512260

NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the Petitioner relied on the importance of the cybersecurity field generally rather than the prospective impact of his specific endeavor. The submitted articles, expert letter, and economic claims addressed the cumulative impact of the industry, not the broader implications of the Petitioner's particular work.…

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The AAO found the Petitioner relied on the importance of the cybersecurity field generally rather than the prospective impact of his specific endeavor. The submitted articles, expert letter, and economic claims addressed the cumulative impact of the industry, not the broader implications of the Petitioner's particular work. A labor shortage in the field also does not render an individual professional's work nationally important.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-14_03_B5203; source_row=41773
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

intent to continue work in area of expertise (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(5))

What the decision said

Petitioner did not contest this finding on appeal, so AAO deemed it waived. AAO independently noted the record lacked the required evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(5), though it disagreed with the Director's erroneous requirement of a permanent full-time job offer.

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Petitioner did not contest this finding on appeal, so AAO deemed it waived. AAO independently noted the record lacked the required evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(5), though it disagreed with the Director's erroneous requirement of a permanent full-time job offer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-14_01_B2203; source_row=41759
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed that the regulation requires both recognition for achievements and significant contributions, and the record lacked evidence of significant contributions. Letters of intent to invest were created after the filing date, photographs lacked detailed descriptions, and online information was insufficient.

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The AAO agreed that the regulation requires both recognition for achievements and significant contributions, and the record lacked evidence of significant contributions. Letters of intent to invest were created after the filing date, photographs lacked detailed descriptions, and online information was insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-14_01_B5203; source_row=41765
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

What the decision said

The Petitioner conceded on appeal that all criteria except ten years of full-time experience were satisfied, effectively waiving any claim to criterion (B).

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The Petitioner conceded on appeal that all criteria except ten years of full-time experience were satisfied, effectively waiving any claim to criterion (B).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-14_01_B5203; source_row=41761
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

academic record

academic degree relating to area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed with the Director's analysis, noting the Petitioner's signature on the B-2 application establishes a presumption he knew and assented to its contents, and that the record on appeal lacked probative documentation or detailed explanation to overcome the Director's evaluation, instead restating prior RFE claims.

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The AAO agreed with the Director's analysis, noting the Petitioner's signature on the B-2 application establishes a presumption he knew and assented to its contents, and that the record on appeal lacked probative documentation or detailed explanation to overcome the Director's evaluation, instead restating prior RFE claims.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-14_01_B5203; source_row=41760
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner failed to show that it would have national importance. Background articles addressed the mental health field generally rather than the specific endeavor's broader impact; recommendation letters spoke to past performance rather than prospective national impact; the expert letter focused on the importance of mental healthcare generally rather than the specific endeav…

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Although the endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner failed to show that it would have national importance. Background articles addressed the mental health field generally rather than the specific endeavor's broader impact; recommendation letters spoke to past performance rather than prospective national impact; the expert letter focused on the importance of mental healthcare generally rather than the specific endeavor; and the business plan's projections of eight jobs and modest profits were unsupported and insufficient to constitute substantial positive economic effects at a national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-13_08_B5203; source_row=41754
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner did not establish national importance, noting that her evidence addressed the importance of early childhood education generally rather than the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor. The business plan's revenue and employment projections were uncorroborated and did not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects at a national level.…

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AAO agreed the Petitioner did not establish national importance, noting that her evidence addressed the importance of early childhood education generally rather than the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor. The business plan's revenue and employment projections were uncorroborated and did not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects at a national level. AAO also withdrew the Director's finding of a material change in the proposed endeavor, but this did not change the outcome on national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-13_06_B5203; source_row=41751
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees that the endeavor focuses on serving individual clients and does not have broader implications. Job-creation and revenue projections are insufficiently corroborated and do not rise to national importance, and the affordable-housing and training claims are unsupported.

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AAO agrees that the endeavor focuses on serving individual clients and does not have broader implications. Job-creation and revenue projections are insufficiently corroborated and do not rise to national importance, and the affordable-housing and training claims are unsupported.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-13_04_B5203; source_row=41745
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's specific business venture—projected to employ eight people directly and generate roughly $1.1 million in sales over five years—did not rise to national significance. The expert letters failed to establish that the Petitioner's specific venture would significantly affect the U.S. healthcare field or economy, and the Petitioner did not show her work would lead to national advances in healthcare.

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AAO found the Petitioner's specific business venture—projected to employ eight people directly and generate roughly $1.1 million in sales over five years—did not rise to national significance. The expert letters failed to establish that the Petitioner's specific venture would significantly affect the U.S. healthcare field or economy, and the Petitioner did not show her work would lead to national advances in healthcare.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-13_01_B5203; source_row=41732
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the merits, remanding because the Director's decision lacked the required substantive analysis.

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AAO declined to reach the merits, remanding because the Director's decision lacked the required substantive analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-11-13_05_B5203; source_row=41748
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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