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 27912800

NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Official academic record showing degree (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

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

Why this is useful

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The Director found criterion (A) satisfied, and this finding was not disturbed on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_05_B5203; source_row=40867
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s2,022 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

Remanded to Director to determine whether the Petitioner has sustained national or international acclaim placing him among the small percentage at the top of his field.

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Remanded to Director to determine whether the Petitioner has sustained national or international acclaim placing him among the small percentage at the top of his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_02_B2203; source_row=40857
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s2,022 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for a distinguished organization

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the firm's awards (described as the 'Oscars of the Chinese public fund industry'), extensive media coverage, rapid growth from 30 million to 1.8 billion yuan in assets, and competitors' imitation collectively demonstrated a distinguished reputation by a preponderance.

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AAO found that the firm's awards (described as the 'Oscars of the Chinese public fund industry'), extensive media coverage, rapid growth from 30 million to 1.8 billion yuan in assets, and competitors' imitation collectively demonstrated a distinguished reputation by a preponderance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_02_B2203; source_row=40855
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s2,022 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found credible evidence that the online news site ranks as the ninth most popular web portal in China with at least 10 million regular readers, qualifying it as major media. A single qualifying piece of evidence may suffice.

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AAO found credible evidence that the online news site ranks as the ninth most popular web portal in China with at least 10 million regular readers, qualifying it as major media. A single qualifying piece of evidence may suffice.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_02_B2203; source_row=40853
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner was well-positioned to advance his proposed endeavor and did not disturb this finding.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner was well-positioned to advance his proposed endeavor and did not disturb this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_01_B5203; source_row=40851
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 found that the Petitioner's evidence focused on his credentials and the general importance of HVAC and energy efficiency as an industry, rather than demonstrating that his specific services have broader national or global implications beyond his own business and clients.…

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AAO found that the Petitioner's evidence focused on his credentials and the general importance of HVAC and energy efficiency as an industry, rather than demonstrating that his specific services have broader national or global implications beyond his own business and clients. Unsupported assertions about job creation and emissions reductions were insufficient, and the business plan's financial and employment projections did not establish significant or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_01_B5203; source_row=40850
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 reserved the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision, having already found the Petitioner failed to satisfy prong 2.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision, having already found the Petitioner failed to satisfy prong 2.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_08_B5203; source_row=40883
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that national importance was established, noting the record does not show broader implications to the field of optometry beyond the Petitioner's own clients and business or significant positive economic effects. However, because AAO found against the Petitioner on prong 2, it reserved the prong 1 national importance issue under Bagamasbad.

Why this is useful

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AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that national importance was established, noting the record does not show broader implications to the field of optometry beyond the Petitioner's own clients and business or significant positive economic effects. However, because AAO found against the Petitioner on prong 2, it reserved the prong 1 national importance issue under Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-20_08_B5203; source_row=40881
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 that generalized oil and gas industry information and the recommendation letter did not address the specific endeavor's prospective impact. The business plan showed benefits only to clients, not broader national/global implications. The company's plan to employ eight workers in a Texas metro area does not demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S.…

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AAO found that generalized oil and gas industry information and the recommendation letter did not address the specific endeavor's prospective impact. The business plan showed benefits only to clients, not broader national/global implications. The company's plan to employ eight workers in a Texas metro area does not demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects, and the business plan failed to establish location in an economically distressed area.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-19_11_B5203; source_row=40830
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 agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's evidence, including recommendation and expert opinion letters, addressed her skills and expertise (relevant to prong two) rather than demonstrating the broader prospective national impact of her specific proposed endeavor.…

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's evidence, including recommendation and expert opinion letters, addressed her skills and expertise (relevant to prong two) rather than demonstrating the broader prospective national impact of her specific proposed endeavor. The Petitioner's arguments focused on the importance of the legal consulting field generally, not on how her specific services would rise to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-19_06_B5203; source_row=40817
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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