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 28612870

EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that many articles lacked complete English translations, some materials did not relate to the Petitioner's work in media and communication, and the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that the publishing outlets qualified as professional or major trade publications or other major media.

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AAO found that many articles lacked complete English translations, some materials did not relate to the Petitioner's work in media and communication, and the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that the publishing outlets qualified as professional or major trade publications or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_01_B2203; source_row=40710
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 found that although the STEM field may be important broadly, the Petitioner did not demonstrate that his specific proposed endeavor rises to the level of national importance as required under Dhanasar.

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AAO found that although the STEM field may be important broadly, the Petitioner did not demonstrate that his specific proposed endeavor rises to the level of national importance as required under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_04_B5203; source_row=40730
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

At least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employment letters were internally inconsistent with each other and with the Petitioner's own representations (e.g., simultaneous full-time roles, conflicting job titles, omission of co-ownership), and directly contradicted by statements the Petitioner made to DOS in 2008 (identifying as a gas station owner) and 2013 (identifying as a homemaker and construction company owner).…

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The employment letters were internally inconsistent with each other and with the Petitioner's own representations (e.g., simultaneous full-time roles, conflicting job titles, omission of co-ownership), and directly contradicted by statements the Petitioner made to DOS in 2008 (identifying as a gas station owner) and 2013 (identifying as a homemaker and construction company owner). The Petitioner did not respond to the NOID to resolve these discrepancies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_01_B5203; source_row=40719
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO did not reach a substantive final merits conclusion; instead it found the Director's final merits analysis incomplete (omitting prizes/awards, contributions, and high salary, and providing inadequate discussion of other areas) and remanded for a new decision.

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AAO did not reach a substantive final merits conclusion; instead it found the Director's final merits analysis incomplete (omitting prizes/awards, contributions, and high salary, and providing inadequate discussion of other areas) and remanded for a new decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_02_B2203; source_row=40723
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not raise any new facts or assert the Director erred in analyzing prong two on motion, so this prong remains resolved against the Petitioner and independently supports dismissal.

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The Petitioner did not raise any new facts or assert the Director erred in analyzing prong two on motion, so this prong remains resolved against the Petitioner and independently supports dismissal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_07_B5203; source_row=40741
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 found the Director had properly considered all relevant evidence including the business plan, expert letter, and support letters, and that the Petitioner had not established national or global implications or substantial positive economic effects from his proposed commercial flooring business. The Petitioner's reliance on a non-precedent decision was unavailing as it is not binding and not relevant to prong one analysis.

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AAO found the Director had properly considered all relevant evidence including the business plan, expert letter, and support letters, and that the Petitioner had not established national or global implications or substantial positive economic effects from his proposed commercial flooring business. The Petitioner's reliance on a non-precedent decision was unavailing as it is not binding and not relevant to prong one analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_07_B5203; source_row=40740
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the employer letters did not meet regulatory requirements under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g): they were not authored by employers, lacked employer addresses, and omitted job duties. On motion, the Petitioner offered no adequate explanation or new evidence to cure these deficiencies.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the employer letters did not meet regulatory requirements under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g): they were not authored by employers, lacked employer addresses, and omitted job duties. On motion, the Petitioner offered no adequate explanation or new evidence to cure these deficiencies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_07_B5203; source_row=40739
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot pursuedAutomated 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 Petitioner did not raise any new facts or assert the Director erred in analyzing prong three on motion, so this prong remains resolved against the Petitioner and independently supports dismissal.

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The Petitioner did not raise any new facts or assert the Director erred in analyzing prong three on motion, so this prong remains resolved against the Petitioner and independently supports dismissal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_07_B5203; source_row=40742
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusion on appeal, so the issue is deemed waived. Though AAO noted it disagreed with the Director's specific reasoning, it found on de novo review that the evidence did not establish the Petitioner met the plain language requirements.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusion on appeal, so the issue is deemed waived. Though AAO noted it disagreed with the Director's specific reasoning, it found on de novo review that the evidence did not establish the Petitioner met the plain language requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_01_B2203; source_row=40711
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to fully address the final merits because the Petitioner did not meet the initial evidentiary threshold, but briefly reviewed the aggregate record and found it insufficient.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to fully address the final merits because the Petitioner did not meet the initial evidentiary threshold, but briefly reviewed the aggregate record and found it insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-16_01_B2203; source_row=40717
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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