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 251260

EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the individual

What the decision said

SCOPS did not analyze this criterion. AAO did not separately resolve it at step one but addressed the underlying evidence in the final merits analysis.

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SCOPS did not analyze this criterion. AAO did not separately resolve it at step one but addressed the underlying evidence in the final merits analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-10_04_B2203; source_row=44938
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

authorship of scholarly articles in international journals

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both SCOPS and AAO agreed that the Beneficiary satisfied this criterion based on authorship of scholarly articles in international professional journals.

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Both SCOPS and AAO agreed that the Beneficiary satisfied this criterion based on authorship of scholarly articles in international professional journals.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-10_03_B5203; source_row=44926
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in international associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

AAO declined to address this criterion because the minimum two criteria had already been met, rendering further analysis unnecessary.

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AAO declined to address this criterion because the minimum two criteria had already been met, rendering further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-10_03_B5203; source_row=44929
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

original scholarly research contributions of major significance in the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

SCOPS improperly discounted letters of support without analysis and made unsupported citation comparisons to unidentified scientists. AAO found that the totality of evidence—citation history, expert letters with first-hand knowledge, awards, and a patent application—established major significance of the Beneficiary's research contributions.

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SCOPS improperly discounted letters of support without analysis and made unsupported citation comparisons to unidentified scientists. AAO found that the totality of evidence—citation history, expert letters with first-hand knowledge, awards, and a patent application—established major significance of the Beneficiary's research contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-10_03_B5203; source_row=44927
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

position requires a person of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The plain language of the labor certification requires only a master's degree with no experience, training, or special skills. The duties described in the Petitioner's letters are standard food scientist duties per O*NET and do not indicate the position requires exceptional ability.

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The plain language of the labor certification requires only a master's degree with no experience, training, or special skills. The duties described in the Petitioner's letters are standard food scientist duties per O*NET and do not indicate the position requires exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-10_03_B5203; source_row=44930
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases (claimed via comparable evidence)

What the decision said

AAO noted the Petitioner claimed comparable evidence under this criterion in response to SCOPS' RFE but did not assert satisfaction on appeal, effectively waiving the claim.

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AAO noted the Petitioner claimed comparable evidence under this criterion in response to SCOPS' RFE but did not assert satisfaction on appeal, effectively waiving the claim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-10_02_B2203; source_row=44919
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

What the decision said

AAO noted the Petitioner claimed this criterion in response to SCOPS' RFE but did not assert satisfaction on appeal, effectively waiving the claim.

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AAO noted the Petitioner claimed this criterion in response to SCOPS' RFE but did not assert satisfaction on appeal, effectively waiving the claim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-10_02_B2203; source_row=44918
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO does not reach a final merits conclusion and remands, though notes in dicta the record does not support a finding of the required acclaim and recognition.

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AAO does not reach a final merits conclusion and remands, though notes in dicta the record does not support a finding of the required acclaim and recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-10_03_B2203; source_row=44925
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the director's finding because the Petitioner only demonstrated invitations to judge but not actual participation, and the underlying conference committee claims were contradicted by online archives showing the Petitioner was not listed as a committee member.

Why this is useful

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The AAO withdrew the director's finding because the Petitioner only demonstrated invitations to judge but not actual participation, and the underlying conference committee claims were contradicted by online archives showing the Petitioner was not listed as a committee member.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-09_02_B2203; source_row=44898
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the evidence in the record primarily focused on the Petitioner's services, compliance obligations, and market share rather than the potential prospective impact of the Beneficiary's specific endeavor.…

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AAO found that the evidence in the record primarily focused on the Petitioner's services, compliance obligations, and market share rather than the potential prospective impact of the Beneficiary's specific endeavor. The record did not sufficiently clarify how the Beneficiary's senior SIEM engineer role fit within the Petitioner's overall cybersecurity management, nor did it show the Beneficiary's position in the organizational structure. The alleged shortage of cybersecurity workers and CET classification were insufficient to establish national importance under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2026-03-09_03_B5203; source_row=44907
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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