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 29913000

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's proposed consulting services, while potentially valuable to clients, did not demonstrate prospective impact rising to the level of national importance. The endeavor would not sufficiently extend beyond his clientele to impact the broader industry, and the Petitioner failed to show significant economic effects including employment of U.S. workers, tax revenue, or a significant market share.

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 consulting services, while potentially valuable to clients, did not demonstrate prospective impact rising to the level of national importance. The endeavor would not sufficiently extend beyond his clientele to impact the broader industry, and the Petitioner failed to show significant economic effects including employment of U.S. workers, tax revenue, or a significant market share.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_05_B5203; source_row=40513
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the record did not show the broader implications of the Petitioner's dental work would extend beyond her employer(s) or patients to impact the dental industry at a level of national importance, and she had not demonstrated significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects.

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 with the Director that the record did not show the broader implications of the Petitioner's dental work would extend beyond her employer(s) or patients to impact the dental industry at a level of national importance, and she had not demonstrated significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_03_B5203; source_row=40507
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Economics

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's description of his proposed company relied on vague language and speculative projections without probative evidence of prospective national impact. The business plan's financial projections lacked a sufficient basis and were uncorroborated.…

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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The Petitioner's description of his proposed company relied on vague language and speculative projections without probative evidence of prospective national impact. The business plan's financial projections lacked a sufficient basis and were uncorroborated. The Petitioner did not explain how his individual company would impact any particular region or the nation at the level of 'substantial positive economic effects' contemplated by Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_04_B5203; source_row=40510
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Economics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, waiving the job offer requirement would benefit the United States

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the third prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong and further analysis was unnecessary to the ultimate decision.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO explicitly reserved the third prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong and further analysis was unnecessary to the ultimate decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_04_B5203; source_row=40512
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Economics

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the second prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong and further analysis was unnecessary to the ultimate decision.

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 because the Petitioner failed the first prong and further analysis was unnecessary to the ultimate decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_04_B5203; source_row=40511
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record (degree/diploma/certificate)

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the Petitioner showed completion of a portion of a diploma program, he did not submit an official academic record showing he holds a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award, as required by the plain language of the criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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Although the Petitioner showed completion of a portion of a diploma program, he did not submit an official academic record showing he holds a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award, as required by the plain language of the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_06_B5203; source_row=40516
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letters describe past projects and general praise but do not identify specific achievements and significant contributions. The certificates reflect participation in student hackathons and events, not recognition for significant contributions. The published articles lack identified authors and contain disclaimers indicating branded/third-party content, preventing evaluation as independent peer recognition.

Why this is useful

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

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The recommendation letters describe past projects and general praise but do not identify specific achievements and significant contributions. The certificates reflect participation in student hackathons and events, not recognition for significant contributions. The published articles lack identified authors and contain disclaimers indicating branded/third-party content, preventing evaluation as independent peer recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_06_B5203; source_row=40519
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination (totality of evidence)

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits analysis because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in passing that the aggregate record does not support a finding of exceptional ability.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits analysis because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in passing that the aggregate record does not support a finding of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_06_B5203; source_row=40520
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved opinion on prong three because the Petitioner failed to meet prong one, making it unnecessary to reach this issue.

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 opinion on prong three because the Petitioner failed to meet prong one, making it unnecessary to reach this issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_05_B5203; source_row=40515
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved opinion on prong two because the Petitioner failed to meet prong one, making it unnecessary to reach this issue.

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 opinion on prong two because the Petitioner failed to meet prong one, making it unnecessary to reach this issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-04_05_B5203; source_row=40514
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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