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 30513060

EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards or prizes

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not address or contest the Director's determination regarding this criterion on appeal; the issue was therefore waived.

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The Petitioner did not address or contest the Director's determination regarding this criterion on appeal; the issue was therefore waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_02_B2203; source_row=40416
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination – sustained national or international acclaim

What the decision said

AAO did not conduct a full final merits determination due to the Petitioner's failure to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted the aggregate record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.

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AAO did not conduct a full final merits determination due to the Petitioner's failure to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted the aggregate record does not support a finding of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_02_B2203; source_row=40421
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO noted the Director found prong two was met. AAO did not separately analyze prong two as the appeal was resolved against the petitioner on prong one, and AAO did not disturb the Director's finding.

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AAO noted the Director found prong two was met. AAO did not separately analyze prong two as the appeal was resolved against the petitioner on prong one, and AAO did not disturb the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_05_B5203; source_row=40434
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

exceptional ability final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO reserves the issue because the failure to establish national importance of the proposed endeavor is dispositive of the appeal, making it unnecessary to reach whether the Petitioner qualifies for EB-2 exceptional ability classification.

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AAO reserves the issue because the failure to establish national importance of the proposed endeavor is dispositive of the appeal, making it unnecessary to reach whether the Petitioner qualifies for EB-2 exceptional ability classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_05_B5203; source_row=40432
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO reserved prong three as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the dispositive failure on prong one (national importance).

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AAO reserved prong three as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the dispositive failure on prong one (national importance).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_05_B5203; source_row=40435
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdraws because the record does not show these industry organizations require members to hold at least a U.S. baccalaureate or foreign equivalent, as required by the regulatory definition of 'profession.'

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AAO withdraws because the record does not show these industry organizations require members to hold at least a U.S. baccalaureate or foreign equivalent, as required by the regulatory definition of 'profession.'
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_06_B5203; source_row=40438
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license to practice profession or certification (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

What the decision said

Petitioner did not assert error or claim to meet this criterion on appeal; AAO considers it waived under Matter of R-A-M-.

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Petitioner did not assert error or claim to meet this criterion on appeal; AAO considers it waived under Matter of R-A-M-.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_06_B5203; source_row=40436
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdraws because, although the letters and awards praise the Petitioner's skills and successes within her employment, they do not identify significant contributions to the industry or field as a whole.

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AAO withdraws because, although the letters and awards praise the Petitioner's skills and successes within her employment, they do not identify significant contributions to the industry or field as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_06_B5203; source_row=40439
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Director did not address this criterion but, upon review of the initial evidence, concluded the Petitioner met it based on her peer review service.

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AAO found that the Director did not address this criterion but, upon review of the initial evidence, concluded the Petitioner met it based on her peer review service.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_01_B2203; source_row=40410
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion based on her authorship of articles in professional publications.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion based on her authorship of articles in professional publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-29_01_B2203; source_row=40412
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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