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 30213030

EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

What the decision said

The Petitioner asserted this claim in her initial filing but did not challenge the Director's denial on appeal, so the issue is waived.

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The Petitioner asserted this claim in her initial filing but did not challenge the Director's denial on appeal, so the issue is waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-03_02_B2203; source_row=40473
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

incorrect application of law or policy

Why AAO was not persuaded

Conclusory statements and repetition of prior arguments do not show that the appellate decision misapplied law or policy or was incorrect on the record.

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Conclusory statements and repetition of prior arguments do not show that the appellate decision misapplied law or policy or was incorrect on the record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-03_01_B2203; source_row=40469
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the first prong's national importance element was dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the first prong's national importance element was dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-03_04_B5203; source_row=40493
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the first prong's national importance element was dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.

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AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the first prong's national importance element was dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-03_04_B5203; source_row=40492
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO does not revisit the Director's finding that prong 1 was met, as the matter is being remanded for a complete new decision.

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AAO does not revisit the Director's finding that prong 1 was met, as the matter is being remanded for a complete new decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-03_06_B5203; source_row=40494
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 found the Director's analysis of prong 2 inadequate because she cited only a generic lack of evidence without engaging in a specific analysis of the evidence submitted. AAO remands for a proper assessment.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Director's analysis of prong 2 inadequate because she cited only a generic lack of evidence without engaging in a specific analysis of the evidence submitted. AAO remands for a proper assessment.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-03_06_B5203; source_row=40495
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer and labor certification

What the decision said

Neither the Director nor AAO reached prong 3, as the matter is being remanded on threshold EB-2 eligibility and prong 2 grounds.

Why this is useful

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Neither the Director nor AAO reached prong 3, as the matter is being remanded on threshold EB-2 eligibility and prong 2 grounds.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-03_06_B5203; source_row=40496
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO concluded that the evidence focused on the importance of the industry/profession rather than the specific endeavor; expert letters, past achievements, the USDA study, and labor-shortage arguments did not demonstrate broader impact rising to national importance.

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The AAO concluded that the evidence focused on the importance of the industry/profession rather than the specific endeavor; expert letters, past achievements, the USDA study, and labor-shortage arguments did not demonstrate broader impact rising to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-02_02_B5203; source_row=40465
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Bank transfers were not shown to be salary, share subscriptions do not establish remuneration, and corporate profits are not the individual's income under Matter of Soffici. The record also lacks comparative data tying the Petitioner's earnings to exceptional ability.

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Bank transfers were not shown to be salary, share subscriptions do not establish remuneration, and corporate profits are not the individual's income under Matter of Soffici. The record also lacks comparative data tying the Petitioner's earnings to exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-02_01_B5203; source_row=40463
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

10 years of full-time experience in the occupation (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The graphic-artist letter does not relate to the occupation sought, and the CEO letters do not show full-time employment or describe duties as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1). Business formation and contract documents do not establish length, full-time status, or duties.

Why this is useful

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

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The graphic-artist letter does not relate to the occupation sought, and the CEO letters do not show full-time employment or describe duties as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1). Business formation and contract documents do not establish length, full-time status, or duties.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-09-02_01_B5203; source_row=40462
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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