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 26312640

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 submitted evidence demonstrated the importance of the diagnostic testing field broadly, but not the broader implications of the Petitioner's specific endeavor at a level of national importance. Generalized economic impact references without projected impact or job creation directly attributable to the Petitioner's future work were insufficient to establish national importance under Dhanasar.

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AAO found the submitted evidence demonstrated the importance of the diagnostic testing field broadly, but not the broader implications of the Petitioner's specific endeavor at a level of national importance. Generalized economic impact references without projected impact or job creation directly attributable to the Petitioner's future work were insufficient to establish national importance under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_11_B5203; source_row=41094
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director applied standards outside Dhanasar's scope by requiring proof of national or global influence under the second prong, failed to address publication and citation history, improperly discounted recommendation letters, and overlooked independent advisory opinion letters in the record. AAO remanded for proper analysis.

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AAO found the Director applied standards outside Dhanasar's scope by requiring proof of national or global influence under the second prong, failed to address publication and citation history, improperly discounted recommendation letters, and overlooked independent advisory opinion letters in the record. AAO remanded for proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_02_B5203; source_row=41063
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Director's national importance analysis was internally inconsistent—initially finding it met in the RFE, then finding it not met in the denial—and referenced apparently unrelated documents. AAO remanded for proper analysis but did not itself resolve the prong.

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AAO found that the Director's national importance analysis was internally inconsistent—initially finding it met in the RFE, then finding it not met in the denial—and referenced apparently unrelated documents. AAO remanded for proper analysis but did not itself resolve the prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_02_B5203; source_row=41062
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO declined to disturb the Director's finding that the Petitioner satisfied the judging criterion.

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AAO declined to disturb the Director's finding that the Petitioner satisfied the judging criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_02_B2203; source_row=41059
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold requirement of at least three criteria, but noted the aggregate record would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold requirement of at least three criteria, but noted the aggregate record would not support a finding of extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_02_B2203; source_row=41061
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO declined to disturb the Director's finding that the Petitioner satisfied the scholarly articles criterion.

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AAO declined to disturb the Director's finding that the Petitioner satisfied the scholarly articles criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_02_B2203; source_row=41060
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the proposed accounting firm would not extend beyond its clientele to impact the broader accounting or financial services industry at a national level. The business plan's projections (50 employees, significant revenue) were unexplained and insufficient, and the Petitioner did not show that her operations in economically distressed areas would yield substantial economic benefits nationally.

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AAO found the proposed accounting firm would not extend beyond its clientele to impact the broader accounting or financial services industry at a national level. The business plan's projections (50 employees, significant revenue) were unexplained and insufficient, and the Petitioner did not show that her operations in economically distressed areas would yield substantial economic benefits nationally.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_18_B5203; source_row=41122
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's honors from police and military supervisors reflect recognition limited to his employer or military unit, not national or international recognition. No supporting documentation established the significance of the Diploma and Letter of Appreciation in the field or demonstrated media coverage rising to national or international recognition.

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The Petitioner's honors from police and military supervisors reflect recognition limited to his employer or military unit, not national or international recognition. No supporting documentation established the significance of the Diploma and Letter of Appreciation in the field or demonstrated media coverage rising to national or international recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_04_B2203; source_row=41074
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO disagreed with the Director, finding the letter provided specific information about ten evaluation criteria used to judge athletes, which went beyond mere refereeing. AAO withdrew the Director's determination and concluded the Petitioner met this criterion.

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AAO disagreed with the Director, finding the letter provided specific information about ten evaluation criteria used to judge athletes, which went beyond mere refereeing. AAO withdrew the Director's determination and concluded the Petitioner met this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_04_B2203; source_row=41076
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on the high salary criterion on appeal; AAO deemed it abandoned and waived.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on the high salary criterion on appeal; AAO deemed it abandoned and waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-30_04_B2203; source_row=41080
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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