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 28412850

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 prong two because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, which is 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 declined to reach prong two because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, which is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-18_04_B5203; source_row=40774
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 prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, which is 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 declined to reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, which is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-18_04_B5203; source_row=40775
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to revisit prong two because the prong-one failure was dispositive.

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 revisit prong two because the prong-one failure was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-18_06_B5203; source_row=40780
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 the Petitioner's proposed endeavor was limited to his existing employment and that the record lacked documentary evidence corroborating claims that his work promotes U.S. interests. The testimonial evidence and publications only outlined contributions to his current employer and stakeholders, not broader national-level impact.…

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 that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor was limited to his existing employment and that the record lacked documentary evidence corroborating claims that his work promotes U.S. interests. The testimonial evidence and publications only outlined contributions to his current employer and stakeholders, not broader national-level impact. The employer letter emphasized on appeal also failed to describe how the Petitioner's work promotes U.S. interests or has national impact beyond the organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-18_03_B5203; source_row=40770
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner conflated the importance of the financial sector as an industry with the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor, and that the record lacked sufficient evidence of prospective impact — such as projected economic effects or job creation — rising to the level of national importance under Dhanasar.

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 that the Petitioner conflated the importance of the financial sector as an industry with the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor, and that the record lacked sufficient evidence of prospective impact — such as projected economic effects or job creation — rising to the level of national importance under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-17_04_B5203; source_row=40746
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that merely working in or establishing a business in architecture and urban planning in a growing community with a worker shortage is insufficient for national importance. The Petitioner's financial projections lacked corroborating independent evidence and did not rise to the level of national importance.…

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AAO found that merely working in or establishing a business in architecture and urban planning in a growing community with a worker shortage is insufficient for national importance. The Petitioner's financial projections lacked corroborating independent evidence and did not rise to the level of national importance. Training and internship activities likewise did not demonstrate broader field impact, and alignment with government initiatives did not establish the specific proposed endeavor's national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-17_05_B5203; source_row=40749
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 agreed substantial merit was shown but found the Petitioner did not establish national importance: the projected hiring of 8-24 workers and modest revenue were insufficient against an industry employing 3 million and generating $665.9 billion; expert and recommendation letters did not address broader impact of the specific endeavor; and articles addressed general industry issues rather than the proposed endeavor.

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 agreed substantial merit was shown but found the Petitioner did not establish national importance: the projected hiring of 8-24 workers and modest revenue were insufficient against an industry employing 3 million and generating $665.9 billion; expert and recommendation letters did not address broader impact of the specific endeavor; and articles addressed general industry issues rather than the proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-17_09_B5203; source_row=40761
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 the Petitioner's evidence addressed the importance of the trucking industry generally rather than the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor. The business plan's revenue and employment projections were uncorroborated and did not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects rising to the level of national importance.…

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 that the Petitioner's evidence addressed the importance of the trucking industry generally rather than the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor. The business plan's revenue and employment projections were uncorroborated and did not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects rising to the level of national importance. Evidence submitted on appeal (revised business plan, letters) was not considered because Petitioner had prior notice and opportunity to submit it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-17_06_B5203; source_row=40752
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 that the evidence—industry articles, expert letter, letters of recommendation, letters of intent, and business plan—addressed the cumulative benefits of the real estate industry and foreign direct investment in general, not the specific prospective impact of the Petitioner's individual endeavor.…

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 agreed that the evidence—industry articles, expert letter, letters of recommendation, letters of intent, and business plan—addressed the cumulative benefits of the real estate industry and foreign direct investment in general, not the specific prospective impact of the Petitioner's individual endeavor. The business plan projecting 8 employees and roughly $1M in annual sales did not demonstrate impact rising to the level of national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-17_08_B5203; source_row=40758
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the third prong because the dispositive failure on the first prong rendered it unnecessary to reach.

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 because the dispositive failure on the first prong rendered it unnecessary to reach.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-17_04_B5203; source_row=40748
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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