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 23481–23490

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Environment / EnergyMaster’s85 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the petitioner did not show influence on the field beyond that of comparably qualified U.S. workers. Citations were limited to pre-2003 Chinese-language work, claimed book-sale figures improperly counted executive-summary downloads, witness letters repeated petitioner's own questionable figures, and the actual approval of a labor certification and other petitions undercut the hypothetical harm argument.

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AAO agrees the petitioner did not show influence on the field beyond that of comparably qualified U.S. workers. Citations were limited to pre-2003 Chinese-language work, claimed book-sale figures improperly counted executive-summary downloads, witness letters repeated petitioner's own questionable figures, and the actual approval of a labor certification and other petitions undercut the hypothetical harm argument.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_03_B5203; source_row=14058
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

intent to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that competitive ballroom dancing and ballroom instruction/coaching are distinct areas of expertise and the petitioner must rely on achievements as a dancer.

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AAO agreed that competitive ballroom dancing and ballroom instruction/coaching are distinct areas of expertise and the petitioner must rely on achievements as a dancer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_05_B2203; source_row=14071
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence to minimally meet the plain language of this regulatory criterion.

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AAO concluded the petitioner submitted sufficient documentary evidence to minimally meet the plain language of this regulatory criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_05_B2203; source_row=14067
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

other

Five years of experience as a recycling manager per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the director, finding that the petitioner failed to resolve inconsistencies across multiple submissions regarding the beneficiary's job title (recycling manager vs. purchasing manager vs. marketing manager), the beneficiary's extended absences from Taiwan during the claimed qualifying period, and labor ministry records showing basic-level (not managerial) compensation.…

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AAO agreed with the director, finding that the petitioner failed to resolve inconsistencies across multiple submissions regarding the beneficiary's job title (recycling manager vs. purchasing manager vs. marketing manager), the beneficiary's extended absences from Taiwan during the claimed qualifying period, and labor ministry records showing basic-level (not managerial) compensation. The additional sales representative experience did not meet the labor certification's specific requirements, was not listed on the ETA 750B, and the petitioner's current employment evidence post-dated the priority date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_04_B5203; source_row=14065
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

beneficiary meets minimum education requirement on labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

According to AACRAO EDGE, an Indian Bachelor of Science is comparable to two to three years of U.S. university study, and an Indian Master of Science is comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree. Thus the beneficiary's combined Indian credentials reach only the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, which falls short of the master's degree required by the labor certification.…

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According to AACRAO EDGE, an Indian Bachelor of Science is comparable to two to three years of U.S. university study, and an Indian Master of Science is comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree. Thus the beneficiary's combined Indian credentials reach only the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree, which falls short of the master's degree required by the labor certification. The credential evaluator's methodology (assigning credits based on classroom hours) was not substantiated by peer-reviewed or other reliable evidence, and EDGE's assessment was given greater weight.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_10_B5203; source_row=14079
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

meets labor certification minimum educational requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The labor certification required a master's degree or foreign educational equivalent with no alternate combination allowed. Since the beneficiary's Diplome d'Ingenieur is equivalent only to a U.S. bachelor's degree, it does not meet the foreign educational equivalent requirement of the labor certification.

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The labor certification required a master's degree or foreign educational equivalent with no alternate combination allowed. Since the beneficiary's Diplome d'Ingenieur is equivalent only to a U.S. bachelor's degree, it does not meet the foreign educational equivalent requirement of the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_07_B5203; source_row=14075
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years of full-time experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters submitted did not indicate whether the beneficiary's employment was full-time, and therefore failed to meet the plain wording of the regulation. Additionally, the petitioner acknowledged the seasonal nature of its business, and USCIS is not obligated to presume past employment to have been full-time.

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The letters submitted did not indicate whether the beneficiary's employment was full-time, and therefore failed to meet the plain wording of the regulation. Additionally, the petitioner acknowledged the seasonal nature of its business, and USCIS is not obligated to presume past employment to have been full-time.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_02_B5203; source_row=14052
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

What the decision said

Because the petitioner raised this criterion for the first time on appeal without having claimed it during initial filing or in response to the RFE, the AAO declined to consider it. Additionally, counsel failed to identify the specific organizations or establishments for which the petitioner allegedly performed in a leading or critical role.

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Because the petitioner raised this criterion for the first time on appeal without having claimed it during initial filing or in response to the RFE, the AAO declined to consider it. Additionally, counsel failed to identify the specific organizations or establishments for which the petitioner allegedly performed in a leading or critical role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_02_B2203; source_row=14050
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

What the decision said

Because the petitioner did not contest the director's findings for this criterion or offer additional arguments on appeal, the AAO considered the issue abandoned.

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Because the petitioner did not contest the director's findings for this criterion or offer additional arguments on appeal, the AAO considered the issue abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_02_B2203; source_row=14045
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO concurred with the director that the petitioner satisfied this criterion.

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The AAO concurred with the director that the petitioner satisfied this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-30_02_B2203; source_row=14047
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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