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 23221–23230

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the petitioner's citation record was minimal (seven total citations, source flagged as experimental/incomplete), witness letters were largely vague, unsigned, or based on general descriptions without explaining how the work advanced the field, patent applications were unpublished or unapproved, and counsel's assertions were unsupported.…

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The AAO found that the petitioner's citation record was minimal (seven total citations, source flagged as experimental/incomplete), witness letters were largely vague, unsigned, or based on general descriptions without explaining how the work advanced the field, patent applications were unpublished or unapproved, and counsel's assertions were unsupported. The objective evidence failed to corroborate the witnesses' claims of the petitioner's special impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-03_02_B5203; source_row=14377
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO found the national scope of the petitioner's field was established and undisputed.

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The AAO found the national scope of the petitioner's field was established and undisputed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-03_02_B5203; source_row=14376
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

other

Beneficiary meets minimum education/experience on labor certification as of priority date

Why the evidence was persuasive

Reviewing the full record including appeal evidence, the AAO concluded it is more likely than not that the beneficiary possessed all the specified education, training, and experience as of the priority date.

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Reviewing the full record including appeal evidence, the AAO concluded it is more likely than not that the beneficiary possessed all the specified education, training, and experience as of the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-03_03_B5203; source_row=14378
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner's documentation of three Faculty of 1000 evaluation comments as of the filing date minimally satisfied the plain language of this criterion, even though the journal peer review evidence was inadequate because review requests were not addressed directly to the petitioner.

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The petitioner's documentation of three Faculty of 1000 evaluation comments as of the filing date minimally satisfied the plain language of this criterion, even though the journal peer review evidence was inadequate because review requests were not addressed directly to the petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-03_01_B2203; source_row=14366
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner's co-authorship of seven journal articles satisfied the plain language of this criterion.

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The petitioner's co-authorship of seven journal articles satisfied the plain language of this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-03_01_B2203; source_row=14368
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

The director did not dispute that quantum computing has substantial intrinsic merit and the AAO agreed, noting submitted background documentation established this element.

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The director did not dispute that quantum computing has substantial intrinsic merit and the AAO agreed, noting submitted background documentation established this element.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-03_01_B5203; source_row=14372
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

The director did not dispute that the petitioner's field is national in scope, and the AAO concurred.

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The director did not dispute that the petitioner's field is national in scope, and the AAO concurred.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-03_01_B5203; source_row=14373
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest served substantially above U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner failed to demonstrate his individual impact on the field. His citation record was minimal and drawn from an unreliable experimental database, patent applications were never approved, witness letters were largely vague or unsigned, and counsel's assertions were unsupported by corroborating evidence. The petitioner did not show his contributions had a measurable influence on the broader field.

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The petitioner failed to demonstrate his individual impact on the field. His citation record was minimal and drawn from an unreliable experimental database, patent applications were never approved, witness letters were largely vague or unsigned, and counsel's assertions were unsupported by corroborating evidence. The petitioner did not show his contributions had a measurable influence on the broader field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-03_01_B5203; source_row=14374
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the director's finding. Photographs of medals did not prove the petitioner actually received them; certificates acknowledged participation or training completion rather than constituting prizes or awards; and even for certificates documenting actual placements, petitioner failed to submit evidence that those prizes were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence beyond the awarding entities.

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AAO withdrew the director's finding. Photographs of medals did not prove the petitioner actually received them; certificates acknowledged participation or training completion rather than constituting prizes or awards; and even for certificates documenting actual placements, petitioner failed to submit evidence that those prizes were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence beyond the awarding entities.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-02_01_B2203; source_row=14328
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 distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

Petitioner lacked primary evidence of PNTDT membership; the CDT coach's letter described petitioner as a 'core' member without explaining the significance of that role; and merely performing as a martial artist in demonstrations does not constitute a leading or critical role. Additionally, petitioner failed to demonstrate CDT's distinguished reputation.

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Petitioner lacked primary evidence of PNTDT membership; the CDT coach's letter described petitioner as a 'core' member without explaining the significance of that role; and merely performing as a martial artist in demonstrations does not constitute a leading or critical role. Additionally, petitioner failed to demonstrate CDT's distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-05-02_01_B2203; source_row=14332
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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