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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 27612770

NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion because the Director provided no analysis of the evidence when finding this criterion satisfied.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion because the Director provided no analysis of the evidence when finding this criterion satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_03_B5203; source_row=40892
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's third-prong analysis was conclusory and failed to engage with the Petitioner's specific evidence and claims, requiring remand for re-evaluation in light of the corrected first- and second-prong analyses.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Director's third-prong analysis was conclusory and failed to engage with the Petitioner's specific evidence and claims, requiring remand for re-evaluation in light of the corrected first- and second-prong analyses.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_03_B5203; source_row=40896
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 declined to reach the second prong because the first prong was dispositive, finding further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to reach the second prong because the first prong was dispositive, finding further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_01_B5203; source_row=40885
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 adopted and affirmed the Director's finding, noting that the Petitioner's proposed consulting work would not extend beyond her company and clientele to impact the consulting field or U.S. economy more broadly. The Petitioner also failed to demonstrate significant potential for U.S. job creation or substantial positive economic effects at the 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.

View full reasoning +
AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's finding, noting that the Petitioner's proposed consulting work would not extend beyond her company and clientele to impact the consulting field or U.S. economy more broadly. The Petitioner also failed to demonstrate significant potential for U.S. job creation or substantial positive economic effects at the national level. Additionally, new evidence referenced on appeal was not actually submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_01_B5203; source_row=40884
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 declined to reach the third prong because the first prong was dispositive, finding further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to reach the third prong because the first prong was dispositive, finding further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_01_B5203; source_row=40886
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

The AAO found that the Petitioner's evidence addressed the general importance of cybersecurity as a profession and industry but failed to demonstrate how his specific proposed endeavor would have broader prospective national impact.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
The AAO found that the Petitioner's evidence addressed the general importance of cybersecurity as a profession and industry but failed to demonstrate how his specific proposed endeavor would have broader prospective national impact. His described activities reflect typical duties of a cybersecurity engineer, his recommendation letters lacked specificity, and he did not show meaningful job creation or economic effects attributable to his particular work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_08_B5203; source_row=40910
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the third prong as unnecessary to reach given the dispositive finding on prong one.

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 the third prong as unnecessary to reach given the dispositive finding on prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_06_B5203; source_row=40906
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the second prong as unnecessary to reach given the dispositive finding on prong one.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO explicitly reserved the second prong as unnecessary to reach given the dispositive finding on prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_06_B5203; source_row=40905
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reconsider Requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to identify how any law or policy was incorrectly applied. The Petitioner's attempt to reframe the proposed endeavor around a heavy equipment rental business was already rejected as a material change under Matter of Izummi, and the Petitioner did not address or rebut that finding.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner failed to identify how any law or policy was incorrectly applied. The Petitioner's attempt to reframe the proposed endeavor around a heavy equipment rental business was already rejected as a material change under Matter of Izummi, and the Petitioner did not address or rebut that finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_09_B5203; source_row=40914
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reopen Requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The motion to reopen does not identify a new fact and is not supported by documentary evidence of a new fact, failing to satisfy the regulatory requirements under 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2).

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The motion to reopen does not identify a new fact and is not supported by documentary evidence of a new fact, failing to satisfy the regulatory requirements under 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-23_09_B5203; source_row=40913
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
Back to assessment