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 27012710

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director applied an improper standard by requiring employer verification, as the regulations do not require such evidence, and the Director failed to sufficiently discuss a submitted employer letter. The Director also did not explain the translation certification issue.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Director applied an improper standard by requiring employer verification, as the regulations do not require such evidence, and the Director failed to sufficiently discuss a submitted employer letter. The Director also did not explain the translation certification issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_01_B2203; source_row=40957
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the individual in professional or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director's analysis deficient: the Director cited translation certification problems without explaining what was wrong, and failed to address the submitted evidence with any specificity. The matter is remanded for proper analysis.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Director's analysis deficient: the Director cited translation certification problems without explaining what was wrong, and failed to address the submitted evidence with any specificity. The matter is remanded for proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_01_B2203; source_row=40955
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director's decision did not adequately address the evidence for this criterion and remanded for proper analysis.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Director's decision did not adequately address the evidence for this criterion and remanded for proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_01_B2203; source_row=40958
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

The AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because its finding on the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

Why this is useful

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The AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because its finding on the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_07_B5203; source_row=40996
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

The AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because its finding on the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

Why this is useful

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The AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because its finding on the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_07_B5203; source_row=40997
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong, finding it unnecessary to reach because the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong, finding it unnecessary to reach because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_06_B5203; source_row=40993
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 waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong, finding it unnecessary to reach because the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong, finding it unnecessary to reach because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_06_B5203; source_row=40994
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not re-examine the second prong, as the Director had already found it met and the appeal was resolved on the first prong.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO did not re-examine the second prong, as the Director had already found it met and the appeal was resolved on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_05_B5203; source_row=40990
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 work as a CHO at a specific hospital would not have impact beyond that hospital's patients, lacked plans for novel methodologies to be disseminated industry-wide, and did not demonstrate sufficient potential to employ U.S. workers or produce substantial positive economic effects at a national level.

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's work as a CHO at a specific hospital would not have impact beyond that hospital's patients, lacked plans for novel methodologies to be disseminated industry-wide, and did not demonstrate sufficient potential to employ U.S. workers or produce substantial positive economic effects at a national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_05_B5203; source_row=40989
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong because the petitioner's failure on the first and second prongs was dispositive of the appeal, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong because the petitioner's failure on the first and second prongs was dispositive of the appeal, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-25_09_B5203; source_row=41000
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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