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 23621–23630

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Totality of circumstances (Sonegawa analysis)

Why AAO was not persuaded

Even considering the overall magnitude of the petitioner's business activities, the petitioner did not show significant historical growth, an uncharacteristic expenditure or loss, an outstanding business reputation, or milestone achievements comparable to the petitioner in Sonegawa.

Why this is useful

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

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Even considering the overall magnitude of the petitioner's business activities, the petitioner did not show significant historical growth, an uncharacteristic expenditure or loss, an outstanding business reputation, or milestone achievements comparable to the petitioner in Sonegawa.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-28_02_B5203; source_row=13897
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Net current assets

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's net current assets were negative in both 2006 (-$201,856) and 2007 (-$44,494), so this measure also failed to establish ability to pay.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner's net current assets were negative in both 2006 (-$201,856) and 2007 (-$44,494), so this measure also failed to establish ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-28_02_B5203; source_row=13893
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Affiliate or related-entity financial resources

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because a corporation is a separate and distinct legal entity from its owners and shareholders, assets of other enterprises or corporations cannot be considered in determining the petitioning corporation's ability to pay.

Why this is useful

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

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Because a corporation is a separate and distinct legal entity from its owners and shareholders, assets of other enterprises or corporations cannot be considered in determining the petitioning corporation's ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-28_02_B5203; source_row=13894
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Wages actually paid to beneficiary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The beneficiary's W-2s for 2006–2008 showed compensation of approximately $30,000–$30,500 per year, far below the proffered wage of $77,105.60, so actual wages paid did not establish ability to pay.

Why this is useful

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The beneficiary's W-2s for 2006–2008 showed compensation of approximately $30,000–$30,500 per year, far below the proffered wage of $77,105.60, so actual wages paid did not establish ability to pay.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-28_02_B5203; source_row=13891
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Bank statements as evidence of ability to pay

Why AAO was not persuaded

Bank statements are not among the three enumerated types of evidence at 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2), show only a point-in-time balance rather than sustainable ability to pay, and no evidence was submitted showing the bank balances reflected funds beyond those already captured in the tax returns.

Why this is useful

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

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Bank statements are not among the three enumerated types of evidence at 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(2), show only a point-in-time balance rather than sustainable ability to pay, and no evidence was submitted showing the bank balances reflected funds beyond those already captured in the tax returns.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-28_02_B5203; source_row=13896
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Economics

Issue evaluated

other

Minimum educational requirement (U.S. master's degree)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed that reading Part H lines 4 and 9 together requires both a master's-level credential and a U.S. degree; the beneficiary's foreign doctorate satisfies the level requirement but not the U.S. degree requirement. The AAO also independently noted that no certified translation or official academic transcript was provided, further undermining the claimed credential.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO agreed that reading Part H lines 4 and 9 together requires both a master's-level credential and a U.S. degree; the beneficiary's foreign doctorate satisfies the level requirement but not the U.S. degree requirement. The AAO also independently noted that no certified translation or official academic transcript was provided, further undermining the claimed credential.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-28_01_B5203; source_row=13889
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Economics

Issue evaluated

other

Minimum experience requirement (36 months in job offered)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed with and affirmed the Director's calculation, noting the Director was actually generous by crediting full months for starting and ending months and including the undocumented Civitas Institute period. Even with those generous assumptions, the beneficiary fell nearly half a year short; without the undocumented Civitas work, qualifying experience totaled less than two years.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO agreed with and affirmed the Director's calculation, noting the Director was actually generous by crediting full months for starting and ending months and including the undocumented Civitas Institute period. Even with those generous assumptions, the beneficiary fell nearly half a year short; without the undocumented Civitas work, qualifying experience totaled less than two years.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-28_01_B5203; source_row=13890
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Social SciencesFaculty

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the petitioner's published research was confined to her doctoral studies period with no evidence of post-2008 scholarly output, witness letters contained bare assertions of influence without corroborating documentary evidence, citation evidence was minimal, new project materials post-dated the filing and could not be considered, and the approval of a labor certification for the same employer on the same job un…

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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The AAO found the petitioner's published research was confined to her doctoral studies period with no evidence of post-2008 scholarly output, witness letters contained bare assertions of influence without corroborating documentary evidence, citation evidence was minimal, new project materials post-dated the filing and could not be considered, and the approval of a labor certification for the same employer on the same job undercut the claim that a waiver was necessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=13884
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesFaculty

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

What the decision said

The AAO did not separately resolve this prong; the director's decision did not independently address it.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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The AAO did not separately resolve this prong; the director's decision did not independently address it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=13883
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesFaculty

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

What the decision said

The AAO did not separately resolve this prong, focusing its analysis on whether the petitioner's contributions rose to the level warranting a waiver. The director found the petitioner qualified as an advanced degree professional but did not separately analyze NYSDOT prong one.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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The AAO did not separately resolve this prong, focusing its analysis on whether the petitioner's contributions rose to the level warranting a waiver. The director found the petitioner qualified as an advanced degree professional but did not separately analyze NYSDOT prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=13882
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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