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 23901–23910

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 organizations with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

On appeal the petitioner identified only itself, and the role described (head of a business consultation division) is not in the beneficiary's claimed field of expertise as a race car team manager; additionally the regulation requires organizations in the plural and the timing of the consulting duties is unclear.

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On appeal the petitioner identified only itself, and the role described (head of a business consultation division) is not in the beneficiary's claimed field of expertise as a race car team manager; additionally the regulation requires organizations in the plural and the timing of the consulting duties is unclear.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-05_02_B2203; source_row=13583
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

continuing to work in the area of expertise

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's evidence of acclaim concerns racing and suspension work, while the proposed U.S. employment is as a team manager and later (on appeal) as a business consultant; these are distinct areas of expertise.

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The petitioner's evidence of acclaim concerns racing and suspension work, while the proposed U.S. employment is as a team manager and later (on appeal) as a business consultant; these are distinct areas of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-05_02_B2203; source_row=13578
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the petitioner's work, with researchers from around the world actively seeking him as a collaborator and his work touching on broadly applicable vaccine platforms, demonstrated national (and international) scope.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the petitioner's work, with researchers from around the world actively seeking him as a collaborator and his work touching on broadly applicable vaccine platforms, demonstrated national (and international) scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-05_04_B5203; source_row=13595
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the petitioner's research in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, nanoparticle platforms, and related immunization methods clearly represents an area of substantial intrinsic merit, with the record establishing the significance of his individual contributions.

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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AAO found that the petitioner's research in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, nanoparticle platforms, and related immunization methods clearly represents an area of substantial intrinsic merit, with the record establishing the significance of his individual contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-05_04_B5203; source_row=13594
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences16 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest served to substantially greater degree than available U.S. worker

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO rejected the director's characterization of the citation record as moderate, finding it was numerically impossible for most of the citations to be self-citations. AAO also found the director improperly discounted witness letters that specifically described how the petitioner's contributions influenced other researchers' work, and that the director failed to cite any adverse factors outweighing the evidence of eligibility.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO rejected the director's characterization of the citation record as moderate, finding it was numerically impossible for most of the citations to be self-citations. AAO also found the director improperly discounted witness letters that specifically described how the petitioner's contributions influenced other researchers' work, and that the director failed to cite any adverse factors outweighing the evidence of eligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-05_04_B5203; source_row=13596
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

willfully made

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner signed the Form I-140 under penalty of perjury that the petition and evidence were true and correct, supporting a finding that the misrepresentations were knowing and intentional.

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The petitioner signed the Form I-140 under penalty of perjury that the petition and evidence were true and correct, supporting a finding that the misrepresentations were knowing and intentional.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-05_04_B2203; source_row=13592
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

materiality

Why the evidence was persuasive

The false job offer letters were material because they pertained to the petitioner's intent to continue working in his area of expertise as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(5), and cut off a relevant line of inquiry.

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The false job offer letters were material because they pertained to the petitioner's intent to continue working in his area of expertise as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(5), and cut off a relevant line of inquiry.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-05_04_B2203; source_row=13593
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

false representation to government official

Why the evidence was persuasive

The petitioner's submission of false job offer letters in support of the Form I-140 constituted a misrepresentation to a government official.

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The petitioner's submission of false job offer letters in support of the Form I-140 constituted a misrepresentation to a government official.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-05_04_B2203; source_row=13591
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

valid successor-in-interest relationship

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO applied the Matter of Dial Auto framework and found the petitioner did not satisfy the three required conditions: it failed to fully document the transfer of ownership, did not show the job opportunity remained the same, and did not demonstrate eligibility including ability to pay.…

Why this is useful

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AAO applied the Matter of Dial Auto framework and found the petitioner did not satisfy the three required conditions: it failed to fully document the transfer of ownership, did not show the job opportunity remained the same, and did not demonstrate eligibility including ability to pay. The submitted memorandum was too general and made no mention of transfer of essential business obligations; mere stock purchase does not create a successor-in-interest relationship.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-03_01_B5203; source_row=13563
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 conducted a de novo review and found that: (1) wages paid to the beneficiary were zero in 2007 and below the proffered wage in 2008 and 2009; (2) net income was insufficient in 2007 and negative in 2008; (3) net current assets were insufficient in 2008; (4) bank statements are not among the enumerated evidence types and cannot show sustainable ability to pay; (5) the argument about replacing temporary workers lacked sup…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO conducted a de novo review and found that: (1) wages paid to the beneficiary were zero in 2007 and below the proffered wage in 2008 and 2009; (2) net income was insufficient in 2007 and negative in 2008; (3) net current assets were insufficient in 2008; (4) bank statements are not among the enumerated evidence types and cannot show sustainable ability to pay; (5) the argument about replacing temporary workers lacked supporting documentation; and (6) consideration of overall business magnitude under Matter of Sonegawa did not help because no evidence of sound business reputation or historical growth was submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2012-01-03_01_B5203; source_row=13564
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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