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 22831–22840

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Foreign equivalent of U.S. baccalaureate degree

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO withdrew the director's finding on this point, concluding that the beneficiary may hold at least the foreign degree equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree based on EDGE/AACRAO data showing a Pakistani Master of Science represents attainment comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree.…

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AAO withdrew the director's finding on this point, concluding that the beneficiary may hold at least the foreign degree equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree based on EDGE/AACRAO data showing a Pakistani Master of Science represents attainment comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The submitted credential evaluations were found unpersuasive and conflicting, but EDGE information supported at least bachelor's-level equivalency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-10_03_B5203; source_row=14838
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

ability to pay proffered wage

What the decision said

AAO does not reach the ultimate ability-to-pay question; instead, it withdraws the denial because the director relied on pre-priority-date evidence and remands for development of proper evidence from 2010 and 2011.

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AAO does not reach the ultimate ability-to-pay question; instead, it withdraws the denial because the director relied on pre-priority-date evidence and remands for development of proper evidence from 2010 and 2011.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-10_05_B5203; source_row=14841
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the director's determination because the supporting letter was dated before the judging event and was written in the future tense, demonstrating only that the petitioner was selected to serve as a judge, not that he actually participated as a judge.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO withdrew the director's determination because the supporting letter was dated before the judging event and was written in the future tense, demonstrating only that the petitioner was selected to serve as a judge, not that he actually participated as a judge.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-09_01_B2203; source_row=14823
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner presented only one award, which is insufficient under the plural requirement of the regulation, and counsel failed to provide evidence that the award was nationally recognized for excellence in the field — the mere fact that a document is signed by a high-ranking official does not make it nationally recognized.

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The petitioner presented only one award, which is insufficient under the plural requirement of the regulation, and counsel failed to provide evidence that the award was nationally recognized for excellence in the field — the mere fact that a document is signed by a high-ranking official does not make it nationally recognized.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-09_01_B2203; source_row=14820
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or foreign equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO relied on EDGE/AACRAO data showing the Indian Master of Computer Management (following a three-year bachelor's) is comparable only to a U.S. bachelor's degree. All five submitted evaluations were found defective: ECE and WES failed to account for the three-year bachelor's degree; Morningside and Silvergate improperly combined years of study across two degrees to manufacture equivalency; Trustforte contradicted its own e…

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AAO relied on EDGE/AACRAO data showing the Indian Master of Computer Management (following a three-year bachelor's) is comparable only to a U.S. bachelor's degree. All five submitted evaluations were found defective: ECE and WES failed to account for the three-year bachelor's degree; Morningside and Silvergate improperly combined years of study across two degrees to manufacture equivalency; Trustforte contradicted its own earlier 2000 evaluation. Unpublished AAO decisions are not binding precedent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-09_01_B5203; source_row=14827
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

What the decision said

Counsel conceded the evidence was insufficient, the petitioner did not contest the adverse determination on appeal, and newly submitted evidence related to post-filing events was not considered. AAO deemed the issue abandoned.

Why this is useful

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

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Counsel conceded the evidence was insufficient, the petitioner did not contest the adverse determination on appeal, and newly submitted evidence related to post-filing events was not considered. AAO deemed the issue abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-09_01_B2203; source_row=14824
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets labor certification minimum requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the beneficiary's education is equivalent only to a U.S. bachelor's degree and the labor certification requires a master's degree with no bachelor's-plus-experience substitution allowed, the beneficiary does not qualify for the proffered position.

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Because the beneficiary's education is equivalent only to a U.S. bachelor's degree and the labor certification requires a master's degree with no bachelor's-plus-experience substitution allowed, the beneficiary does not qualify for the proffered position.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-09_01_B5203; source_row=14828
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Continuing ability to pay proffered wage from priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO confirmed inability to pay in 2002–2005 through all three methods (actual wages, net income, net current assets), especially in 2005 when all three methods failed. AAO rejected counsel's arguments about redirectable expenditures as unsupported. AAO also affirmed the requirement to consider ability to pay for all pending petition beneficiaries simultaneously.

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AAO confirmed inability to pay in 2002–2005 through all three methods (actual wages, net income, net current assets), especially in 2005 when all three methods failed. AAO rejected counsel's arguments about redirectable expenditures as unsupported. AAO also affirmed the requirement to consider ability to pay for all pending petition beneficiaries simultaneously.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-09_01_B5203; source_row=14829
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that sporadic or one-time participation at events does not constitute a leading or critical role for an organization as a whole; the evidence relied on was largely the same as submitted for criteria (i) and (iv) and lacked certified translations; no independent evidence demonstrated the organizations had distinguished reputations; and a single television interview did not establish a leading or critical role.

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The AAO found that sporadic or one-time participation at events does not constitute a leading or critical role for an organization as a whole; the evidence relied on was largely the same as submitted for criteria (i) and (iv) and lacked certified translations; no independent evidence demonstrated the organizations had distinguished reputations; and a single television interview did not establish a leading or critical role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-06_01_B2203; source_row=14816
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

The 2009 Premio Estrella judging occurred after the petition filing date and could not be considered. All remaining judging evidence was in foreign languages without certified translations. Additionally, a mere invitation to judge is insufficient; actual participation as a judge must be demonstrated.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The 2009 Premio Estrella judging occurred after the petition filing date and could not be considered. All remaining judging evidence was in foreign languages without certified translations. Additionally, a mere invitation to judge is insufficient; actual participation as a judge must be demonstrated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-07-06_01_B2203; source_row=14812
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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