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 23531–23540

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

foreign degree equivalency to U.S. advanced degree

Why AAO was not persuaded

Using AACRAO EDGE, AAO determined that the beneficiary's three-year Indian B.A. equates to three years of U.S. university study, and the Indian M.S. in Mathematics equates only to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The Advanced Diploma was not shown to be from an AICTE-accredited institution, so it could not establish bachelor's equivalency.…

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Using AACRAO EDGE, AAO determined that the beneficiary's three-year Indian B.A. equates to three years of U.S. university study, and the Indian M.S. in Mathematics equates only to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The Advanced Diploma was not shown to be from an AICTE-accredited institution, so it could not establish bachelor's equivalency. The private credential evaluation was accorded less weight than EDGE as it was not corroborated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-22_02_B5203; source_row=14006
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

continuing ability to pay proffered wage

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the director that the petitioner failed to demonstrate continuing ability to pay. While wages paid in 2004, 2007, and 2008 exceeded the proffered wage, in 2006 the petitioner's net income ($5,562) and net current assets ($14,987) were both insufficient to cover the $19,314.48 shortfall.…

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AAO agreed with the director that the petitioner failed to demonstrate continuing ability to pay. While wages paid in 2004, 2007, and 2008 exceeded the proffered wage, in 2006 the petitioner's net income ($5,562) and net current assets ($14,987) were both insufficient to cover the $19,314.48 shortfall. The Yates Memorandum does not override the regulatory requirement of continuing ability to pay, and Sonegawa does not apply given the petitioner's declining rather than temporarily depressed financials.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-22_02_B5203; source_row=14005
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

five years progressive post-baccalaureate experience by priority date

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letter conflicts with dates on the ETA 750B, showing overlapping employment periods that were never reconciled by the petitioner. Even accepting the letter at face value, post-baccalaureate experience measured from December 1996 to the June 4, 2004 priority date amounts to only approximately three years and five months — substantially less than the required five years.

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The employer letter conflicts with dates on the ETA 750B, showing overlapping employment periods that were never reconciled by the petitioner. Even accepting the letter at face value, post-baccalaureate experience measured from December 1996 to the June 4, 2004 priority date amounts to only approximately three years and five months — substantially less than the required five years.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-22_02_B5203; source_row=14007
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien

Why the evidence was persuasive

Petitioner submitted articles in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Indiewire about himself and his work, satisfying the plain language of the criterion.

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Petitioner submitted articles in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Indiewire about himself and his work, satisfying the plain language of the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-22_02_B2203; source_row=14000
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letters praised the petitioner's talents but failed to demonstrate original contributions of major significance in the field as a whole; evidence of significance was limited to Israel or IISF; letters from references speculated about future contributions rather than establishing present impact; and vague letters repeating regulatory language without explaining concrete influence on the field are insuffici…

Why this is useful

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

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The recommendation letters praised the petitioner's talents but failed to demonstrate original contributions of major significance in the field as a whole; evidence of significance was limited to Israel or IISF; letters from references speculated about future contributions rather than establishing present impact; and vague letters repeating regulatory language without explaining concrete influence on the field are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-16_01_B2203; source_row=13994
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted materials were largely internet screenshots not shown to qualify as major media; the one print article (Mountain Living) was also not shown to be major media; most items lacked required author and/or date information; two items lacked certified translations; and the materials were not primarily about the petitioner but merely mentioned him as a participant in events.

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

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The submitted materials were largely internet screenshots not shown to qualify as major media; the one print article (Mountain Living) was also not shown to be major media; most items lacked required author and/or date information; two items lacked certified translations; and the materials were not primarily about the petitioner but merely mentioned him as a participant in events.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-16_01_B2203; source_row=13993
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner satisfied only one of the ten criteria; the awards were won against no or minimal competition; the totality of evidence did not show sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.

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The petitioner satisfied only one of the ten criteria; the awards were won against no or minimal competition; the totality of evidence did not show sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-16_01_B2203; source_row=13995
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO relies on EDGE to find the beneficiary's three-year Indian bachelor's plus Indian master's are together equivalent to only a U.S. bachelor's degree, not a U.S. master's or foreign equivalent.

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

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AAO relies on EDGE to find the beneficiary's three-year Indian bachelor's plus Indian master's are together equivalent to only a U.S. bachelor's degree, not a U.S. master's or foreign equivalent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-16_03_B5203; source_row=13998
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

minimum education stated on ETA Form 9089

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees that the labor certification's plain language requires a master's degree or foreign equivalent and that the beneficiary's credentials fall short.

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AAO agrees that the labor certification's plain language requires a master's degree or foreign equivalent and that the beneficiary's credentials fall short.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-16_03_B5203; source_row=13999
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Foreign degree equivalency to U.S. baccalaureate

Why AAO was not persuaded

AACRAO EDGE indicates that an Indian Master of Science degree is comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree, not a U.S. master's degree. Therefore the beneficiary holds only the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree and must satisfy the bachelor's-plus-five-years route to qualify as an advanced degree professional.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AACRAO EDGE indicates that an Indian Master of Science degree is comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree, not a U.S. master's degree. Therefore the beneficiary holds only the foreign equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree and must satisfy the bachelor's-plus-five-years route to qualify as an advanced degree professional.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-03-16_02_B5203; source_row=13996
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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