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 26712680

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

Case facts

Biomedical / Life SciencesMaster’s48 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold of three evidentiary criteria, but noted in dicta that the record does not support sustained national or international acclaim.

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AAO declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold of three evidentiary criteria, but noted in dicta that the record does not support sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-27_01_B2203; source_row=41032
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life SciencesMaster’s48 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles in professional publications

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record includes evidence that the Petitioner has published her work in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and PLOS One, supporting the finding that this criterion is met.

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The record includes evidence that the Petitioner has published her work in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and PLOS One, supporting the finding that this criterion is met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-27_01_B2203; source_row=41030
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other12 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO concluded that the record did not document the future potential impact of the specific endeavor; recommendation letters described past contributions and general future uses but not the endeavor or its broader national implications, and industry materials emphasized the field rather than the Petitioner's research.

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The AAO concluded that the record did not document the future potential impact of the specific endeavor; recommendation letters described past contributions and general future uses but not the endeavor or its broader national implications, and industry materials emphasized the field rather than the Petitioner's research.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-27_01_B5203; source_row=41033
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong three because the failure to satisfy prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO declined to reach prong three because the failure to satisfy prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-27_06_B5203; source_row=41050
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong two because the failure to satisfy prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO declined to reach prong two because the failure to satisfy prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-27_06_B5203; source_row=41049
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision, finding that the appellate submissions—including an updated expert letter, a project list, and resubmitted white papers—still failed to show broader industry implications.…

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision, finding that the appellate submissions—including an updated expert letter, a project list, and resubmitted white papers—still failed to show broader industry implications. The expert letter lacked specific examples of how the Petitioner's work influenced the cybersecurity field, the project list showed impact limited to his company and clients, and the white papers provided only general information without detailing how the Petitioner would build and implement his novel AI framework.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-27_03_B5203; source_row=41039
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance, finding the evidence primarily addressed his personal experience and the general importance of the data center industry rather than the specific prospective impact of his proposed consulting endeavor.…

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance, finding the evidence primarily addressed his personal experience and the general importance of the data center industry rather than the specific prospective impact of his proposed consulting endeavor. He did not show his services offered original innovations, were unavailable elsewhere, or would produce significant broader implications at the national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-26_06_B5203; source_row=41012
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced Degree Possession

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letter from the Israeli institution was not corroborated by a diploma or transcript. The academic evaluation was advisory and unpersuasive because the author did not provide the curriculum reviewed, did not compare credit hours, and did not compare specific courses between the Petitioner's program and a U.S. master's program.

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The letter from the Israeli institution was not corroborated by a diploma or transcript. The academic evaluation was advisory and unpersuasive because the author did not provide the curriculum reviewed, did not compare credit hours, and did not compare specific courses between the Petitioner's program and a U.S. master's program.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-26_05_B5203; source_row=41007
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 the endeavor has substantial merit but found the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. The Petitioner's business plan offered only generalized projections without explained methodology, and there was no evidence of significant employment in an economically depressed area or substantial positive economic effects attributable to his specific endeavor rather than the industry broadly.

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AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but found the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. The Petitioner's business plan offered only generalized projections without explained methodology, and there was no evidence of significant employment in an economically depressed area or substantial positive economic effects attributable to his specific endeavor rather than the industry broadly.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-26_07_B5203; source_row=41015
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

Although unnecessary, AAO observed in the aggregate that the record does not support the high level of expertise required.

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Although unnecessary, AAO observed in the aggregate that the record does not support the high level of expertise required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-26_08_B5203; source_row=41023
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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