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 23912400

NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

Commanded a salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to sufficiently establish the applicable benchmark salary for his specific profession and experience level in Brazil, and that it was unclear whether the income reflected in his tax returns represented salary for an IT profession or profits/dividends from a business venture.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to sufficiently establish the applicable benchmark salary for his specific profession and experience level in Brazil, and that it was unclear whether the income reflected in his tax returns represented salary for an IT profession or profits/dividends from a business venture.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-29_04_B5203; source_row=41506
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics26 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the scholarly articles criterion was met based on the Petitioner's authorship of published peer-reviewed articles.

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AAO agreed that the scholarly articles criterion was met based on the Petitioner's authorship of published peer-reviewed articles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-29_01_B2203; source_row=41491
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics26 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the judging criterion was met based on the Petitioner's peer review of a journal article.

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AAO agreed the judging criterion was met based on the Petitioner's peer review of a journal article.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-29_01_B2203; source_row=41489
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the research component of the Petitioner's endeavor meets prong one, but withdrew the Director's determination as to the teaching component, finding that teaching courses in linguistics and TESOL would not meet the national importance standard under Dhanasar.

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AAO agreed that the research component of the Petitioner's endeavor meets prong one, but withdrew the Director's determination as to the teaching component, finding that teaching courses in linguistics and TESOL would not meet the national importance standard under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-29_03_B5203; source_row=41501
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

recognition

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field by peers, government entities, or professional or business organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the submitted letters of recommendation largely highlighted the Petitioner's general skills and capabilities rather than his achievements and significant contributions to his field. The letters described him as a valued employee and co-worker but did not demonstrate recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the submitted letters of recommendation largely highlighted the Petitioner's general skills and capabilities rather than his achievements and significant contributions to his field. The letters described him as a valued employee and co-worker but did not demonstrate recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-29_04_B5203; source_row=41508
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not raise criterion (E) until appeal, submitting new evidence for the first time. AAO declined to consider this evidence because the Petitioner had been put on notice and given a reasonable opportunity to submit it earlier.

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The Petitioner did not raise criterion (E) until appeal, submitting new evidence for the first time. AAO declined to consider this evidence because the Petitioner had been put on notice and given a reasonable opportunity to submit it earlier.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-29_04_B5203; source_row=41507
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

academic record

Official academic record showing degree relating to area of exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director, upon dismissing the combined motion, concluded the Petitioner established eligibility under criterion (A) by submitting an official academic record. AAO did not disturb this finding.

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The Director, upon dismissing the combined motion, concluded the Petitioner established eligibility under criterion (A) by submitting an official academic record. AAO did not disturb this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-29_04_B5203; source_row=41504
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

At least ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to review criterion (B) because even if met, the Petitioner's failure on criteria (D), (E), and (F) meant he could not reach the required minimum of three criteria.

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AAO explicitly declined to review criterion (B) because even if met, the Petitioner's failure on criteria (D), (E), and (F) meant he could not reach the required minimum of three criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-29_04_B5203; source_row=41505
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner failed to establish national importance, finding his appeal arguments vague and unsupported. His credentials and industry reports did not demonstrate that the endeavor's impact would extend beyond his own clients and employees to a national scale, and the submitted reports did not pertain specifically to his proposed endeavor.

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AAO agreed the Petitioner failed to establish national importance, finding his appeal arguments vague and unsupported. His credentials and industry reports did not demonstrate that the endeavor's impact would extend beyond his own clients and employees to a national scale, and the submitted reports did not pertain specifically to his proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-28_02_B5203; source_row=41482
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional eligibility

What the decision said

AAO previously held the issue waived because the Petitioner did not contest the Director's determination on appeal.

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AAO previously held the issue waived because the Petitioner did not contest the Director's determination on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-28_04_B5203; source_row=41485
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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