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 27812790

NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AIPhD327 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director overlooked or dismissed material evidence relevant to the second prong factors and applied standards outside Dhanasar's analytical framework, warranting remand for a proper individualized multifactorial analysis.

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AAO found the Director overlooked or dismissed material evidence relevant to the second prong factors and applied standards outside Dhanasar's analytical framework, warranting remand for a proper individualized multifactorial analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_06_B5203; source_row=40876
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AIPhD327 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director's analysis of national importance was deficient because it focused exclusively on economic impact rather than the broad implications of the research on the field of complex networks as contemplated by Dhanasar. AAO remanded for the Director to conduct a proper analysis.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Director's analysis of national importance was deficient because it focused exclusively on economic impact rather than the broad implications of the research on the field of complex networks as contemplated by Dhanasar. AAO remanded for the Director to conduct a proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_06_B5203; source_row=40875
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalPhD10 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

The Petitioner previously asserted this criterion but did not claim it on appeal; AAO treated it as waived.

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The Petitioner previously asserted this criterion but did not claim it on appeal; AAO treated it as waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_01_B2203; source_row=40847
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalPhD10 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published materials about the petitioner

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that data from a reputable web analytics company indicated two articles about the Petitioner appeared among the top-ranked news and media sites in Russia, establishing that they qualify as major media.

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AAO found that data from a reputable web analytics company indicated two articles about the Petitioner appeared among the top-ranked news and media sites in Russia, establishing that they qualify as major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_01_B2203; source_row=40844
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalPhD10 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director's conclusions were contradicted by the record: the abstracts did include publication dates, Google Scholar verified several articles listing the Petitioner as author, and publisher letters confirmed publication dates and authorship. All Russian journals were peer-reviewed.

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AAO found the Director's conclusions were contradicted by the record: the abstracts did include publication dates, Google Scholar verified several articles listing the Petitioner as author, and publisher letters confirmed publication dates and authorship. All Russian journals were peer-reviewed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_01_B2203; source_row=40846
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalPhD10 papers

Issue evaluated

other

intent to continue working in field in the United States

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this issue because the failure to meet at least three evidentiary criteria was dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO declined to reach this issue because the failure to meet at least three evidentiary criteria was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_01_B2203; source_row=40849
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Evidence of a license to practice the profession (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found criterion (C) satisfied, and this finding was not disturbed on appeal.

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The Director found criterion (C) satisfied, and this finding was not disturbed on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_05_B5203; source_row=40869
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Evidence of at least ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not pursue this criterion on appeal; AAO considered it abandoned.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not pursue this criterion on appeal; AAO considered it abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_05_B5203; source_row=40868
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination (totality of evidence showing exceptional ability)

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidence threshold of three criteria, AAO declined to conduct a final merits determination, citing Bagamasbad.

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Because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidence threshold of three criteria, AAO declined to conduct a final merits determination, citing Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_05_B5203; source_row=40871
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Evidence of recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Two employer letters were submitted—one from a former employer describing the Petitioner's humanitarian rescue flights in Venezuela in 2015, and one from a current employer describing international flights and COVID-19 rescue missions.…

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Two employer letters were submitted—one from a former employer describing the Petitioner's humanitarian rescue flights in Venezuela in 2015, and one from a current employer describing international flights and COVID-19 rescue missions. Both letters acknowledged individual achievements but failed to establish recognition for significant contributions to the aviation industry or field as a whole, and thus bore minimal probative value.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_05_B5203; source_row=40870
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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