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 25012510

EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,023 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

Letters asserting the Petitioner is among the highest-paid singers lacked objective compensation data, the 2024 Bangladesh Today article post-dated the petition filing, and even that article compared her earnings to only six other performers, providing an insufficient sampling.

Why this is useful

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

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Letters asserting the Petitioner is among the highest-paid singers lacked objective compensation data, the 2024 Bangladesh Today article post-dated the petition filing, and even that article compared her earnings to only six other performers, providing an insufficient sampling.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B2203; source_row=41294
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,023 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted agreements and payment documents do not show volume of sales or box office receipts; the 2024 promotional material post-dates the petition filing; and the record lacks evidence of commercial success relative to others in similar pursuits.

Why this is useful

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

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The submitted agreements and payment documents do not show volume of sales or box office receipts; the 2024 promotional material post-dates the petition filing; and the record lacks evidence of commercial success relative to others in similar pursuits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B2203; source_row=41295
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,023 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

memberships

Why AAO was not persuaded

The enlistment criteria for Bangladesh Television do not rise to the level of outstanding achievements, and none of the organizations demonstrated that admission is judged by recognized national or international experts in the field.

Why this is useful

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

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The enlistment criteria for Bangladesh Television do not rise to the level of outstanding achievements, and none of the organizations demonstrated that admission is judged by recognized national or international experts in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B2203; source_row=41290
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reopen – New Facts Requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

The CBS News article does not constitute a new fact that could change the outcome because it does not address the petitioner's failure to rebut the director's conclusion that they were not a member of the professions. All other evidence was previously submitted and resubmission does not constitute new facts.

Why this is useful

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

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The CBS News article does not constitute a new fact that could change the outcome because it does not address the petitioner's failure to rebut the director's conclusion that they were not a member of the professions. All other evidence was previously submitted and resubmission does not constitute new facts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_06_B5203; source_row=41314
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reconsider – Legal Error Requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner did not cite pertinent precedent to show an incorrect application of law or policy, did not establish the prior decision was incorrect based on the evidence of record, and merely expressed disagreement with AAO's conclusions, which is not a ground for reconsideration.

Why this is useful

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

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The petitioner did not cite pertinent precedent to show an incorrect application of law or policy, did not establish the prior decision was incorrect based on the evidence of record, and merely expressed disagreement with AAO's conclusions, which is not a ground for reconsideration.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_06_B5203; source_row=41315
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's analysis deficient because it listed criteria but did not apply them to the evidence or explain the reasoning. AAO remanded for proper analysis without reaching a final conclusion, though it noted concerns about whether the Petitioner's limited citation record and lack of independent grants support a finding that she is well-positioned.

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 the Director's analysis deficient because it listed criteria but did not apply them to the evidence or explain the reasoning. AAO remanded for proper analysis without reaching a final conclusion, though it noted concerns about whether the Petitioner's limited citation record and lack of independent grants support a finding that she is well-positioned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_02_B5203; source_row=41303
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, waiving the job offer requirement would benefit the United States

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's analysis deficient because it did not discuss the evidence considered, did not address the Petitioner's specific claims, and improperly required a showing of economic benefit, which is not required under Dhanasar for research-related endeavors. AAO remanded for a proper balancing analysis.

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 found the Director's analysis deficient because it did not discuss the evidence considered, did not address the Petitioner's specific claims, and improperly required a showing of economic benefit, which is not required under Dhanasar for research-related endeavors. AAO remanded for a proper balancing analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_02_B5203; source_row=41304
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner's research on diabetes treatment using advanced genomic techniques is the subject of national priorities and has potential for positive prospective national or global impact, satisfying the national importance requirement.

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 the Petitioner's research on diabetes treatment using advanced genomic techniques is the subject of national priorities and has potential for positive prospective national or global impact, satisfying the national importance requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_02_B5203; source_row=41302
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reaffirms its prior conclusion that the record does not establish broader implications beyond the petitioner's own business and clientele, lacks evidence-based justifications for staffing projections, and lacks corroboration of the financial projections.

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 reaffirms its prior conclusion that the record does not establish broader implications beyond the petitioner's own business and clientele, lacks evidence-based justifications for staffing projections, and lacks corroboration of the financial projections.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_04_B5203; source_row=41308
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,023 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO reversed the Director's determination, finding that a letter from a festival organizer, a certificate, and a confirming article in New Nation establish that the Petitioner served as a judge at a 2023 festival.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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AAO reversed the Director's determination, finding that a letter from a festival organizer, a certificate, and a confirming article in New Nation establish that the Petitioner served as a judge at a 2023 festival.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B2203; source_row=41292
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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