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 25112520

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,023 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner's failure to meet three criteria is dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.

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AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner's failure to meet three criteria is dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B2203; source_row=41296
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,023 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

artistic display

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner meets the artistic display criterion; this finding was not contested on appeal.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner meets the artistic display criterion; this finding was not contested on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B2203; source_row=41293
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

FinanceMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's work as a financial analyst was not shown to likely impact the field or have national implications; the possible creation of 25 positions did not constitute substantial positive economic effects, and merely working in an important field is insufficient.

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The Petitioner's work as a financial analyst was not shown to likely impact the field or have national implications; the possible creation of 25 positions did not constitute substantial positive economic effects, and merely working in an important field is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B5203; source_row=41299
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

FinanceMaster’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's professional history began in 2014, only seven years before the 2021 filing date, and no new evidence was submitted to refute this determination.

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The Petitioner's professional history began in 2014, only seven years before the 2021 filing date, and no new evidence was submitted to refute this determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B5203; source_row=41297
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

FinanceMaster’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

High salary or other remuneration (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The 2023 salary evidence post-dates the January 2021 petition filing and therefore cannot establish eligibility as of the filing date.

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The 2023 salary evidence post-dates the January 2021 petition filing and therefore cannot establish eligibility as of the filing date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-10_01_B5203; source_row=41298
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 that the industry's importance alone does not establish national importance of the specific endeavor. The Petitioner's offerings would only benefit his direct customers without broader industry implications, the employment and revenue projections lacked evidentiary basis, HUBZone operation was insufficient without explanation of substantial positive economic effects, and the expert opinion letter made only genera…

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AAO agreed that the industry's importance alone does not establish national importance of the specific endeavor. The Petitioner's offerings would only benefit his direct customers without broader industry implications, the employment and revenue projections lacked evidentiary basis, HUBZone operation was insufficient without explanation of substantial positive economic effects, and the expert opinion letter made only general assertions without identifying specific broader impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-09_01_B5203; source_row=41277
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

commanding a salary demonstrating exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not provide comparative evidence showing his earnings were indicative of exceptional ability relative to others working in his field.

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The Petitioner did not provide comparative evidence showing his earnings were indicative of exceptional ability relative to others working in his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-09_01_B5203; source_row=41282
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination – exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the totality of evidence, while showing extensive training and experience, did not establish expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the field. The recommendation letters spoke broadly without indicating experience above others, and the Petitioner failed to explain what unique experience elevated him significantly above peers.

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AAO found that the totality of evidence, while showing extensive training and experience, did not establish expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the field. The recommendation letters spoke broadly without indicating experience above others, and the Petitioner failed to explain what unique experience elevated him significantly above peers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-09_01_B5203; source_row=41285
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters and contracts show the Petitioner's involvement in business projects but do not demonstrate that his contributions rose to a level of major significance in the overall field. The evidence was limited to specific projects rather than impacting the field broadly, and the letters were conclusory without specific detail explaining the significance.

Why this is useful

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

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The letters and contracts show the Petitioner's involvement in business projects but do not demonstrate that his contributions rose to a level of major significance in the overall field. The evidence was limited to specific projects rather than impacting the field broadly, and the letters were conclusory without specific detail explaining the significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-09_01_B2203; source_row=41272
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

AAO reviewed the aggregate record and found it does not support sustained national or international acclaim, nor that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

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AAO reviewed the aggregate record and found it does not support sustained national or international acclaim, nor that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-09_01_B2203; source_row=41276
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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