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 25612570

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to show how his consulting business would impact the engineering field more broadly beyond his clients. The business plan's financial projections lacked explanatory support and were insufficient to demonstrate substantial positive economic effects at a nationally important level.…

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to show how his consulting business would impact the engineering field more broadly beyond his clients. The business plan's financial projections lacked explanatory support and were insufficient to demonstrate substantial positive economic effects at a nationally important level. The expert advisory opinion was of little probative value as it mainly described past experiences without providing an objective analysis of national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-03_02_B5203; source_row=41207
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The certificates were issued for participation at events, not for excellence in the field. The record lacked information about the number of awardees, selection criteria, selection process, or the reputation of the awards.

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The certificates were issued for participation at events, not for excellence in the field. The record lacked information about the number of awardees, selection criteria, selection process, or the reputation of the awards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-03_01_B2203; source_row=41200
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's role with the Hunarmand Association was as a participant in exhibitions, not a leading or critical role. The recommendation letters from business partners did not explain how the Petitioner's role was leading or critical, nor did they establish the reputation of those organizations.

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The Petitioner's role with the Hunarmand Association was as a participant in exhibitions, not a leading or critical role. The recommendation letters from business partners did not explain how the Petitioner's role was leading or critical, nor did they establish the reputation of those organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-03_01_B2203; source_row=41201
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although technically reserved because the Petitioner did not meet the initial evidentiary requirements, AAO reviewed the record in the aggregate and found it insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

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Although technically reserved because the Petitioner did not meet the initial evidentiary requirements, AAO reviewed the record in the aggregate and found it insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is among the small percentage at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-03_01_B2203; source_row=41203
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

commanding a high salary or significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner provided no comparative wage data despite it being specifically requested in the RFE, and did not corroborate his claimed salary with tax returns, pay statements, or job contracts.

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The Petitioner provided no comparative wage data despite it being specifically requested in the RFE, and did not corroborate his claimed salary with tax returns, pay statements, or job contracts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-03_01_B2203; source_row=41202
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 with the Director that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate the national importance of his proposed endeavor, finding he had not shown broader implications or potential prospective economic impact rising to the level of national importance. On motion, the Petitioner did not show this conclusion was based on an incorrect application of law or policy.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate the national importance of his proposed endeavor, finding he had not shown broader implications or potential prospective economic impact rising to the level of national importance. On motion, the Petitioner did not show this conclusion was based on an incorrect application of law or policy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=41204
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO had previously withdrawn the Director's favorable finding on the second prong, concluding that operating a business was insufficient to show a record of success or progress. On motion, the Petitioner's arguments about the proper scope of the second prong were rejected, and AAO reaffirmed that record of success is one legitimate factor among many.

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AAO had previously withdrawn the Director's favorable finding on the second prong, concluding that operating a business was insufficient to show a record of success or progress. On motion, the Petitioner's arguments about the proper scope of the second prong were rejected, and AAO reaffirmed that record of success is one legitimate factor among many.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=41205
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's assertions about national impact to be generic, conclusory, and unsupported. The reference letter addressed only the import of one aircraft, raising doubt about its probative value for national impact.…

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AAO found the Petitioner's assertions about national impact to be generic, conclusory, and unsupported. The reference letter addressed only the import of one aircraft, raising doubt about its probative value for national impact. The Petitioner failed to show how his consulting services would differ materially from those of similarly experienced workers or how they would produce broader implications for the aviation field beyond his immediate customers. The Petitioner's vague business plan projecting nine employees over five years was insufficient to demonstrate national-level employment impact in an industry employing over 10 million Americans.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-03_03_B5203; source_row=41210
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the third prong, as the Petitioner failed on the first prong in the prior appellate decision and on motion.

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AAO did not reach the third prong, as the Petitioner failed on the first prong in the prior appellate decision and on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=41206
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 found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate that her endeavor's economic activity would produce substantial positive effects beyond her immediate clients and placed employees, that her work would impact the field of human resources more broadly, or that her specific endeavor had demonstrated prospective impact on matters of governmental importance commensurate with national importance.

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 failed to demonstrate that her endeavor's economic activity would produce substantial positive effects beyond her immediate clients and placed employees, that her work would impact the field of human resources more broadly, or that her specific endeavor had demonstrated prospective impact on matters of governmental importance commensurate with national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-10-02_05_B5203; source_row=41194
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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