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 30713080

EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhysician

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted the Director's finding that this criterion was met, agreeing that the newspaper constitutes a form of major media.

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AAO accepted the Director's finding that this criterion was met, agreeing that the newspaper constitutes a form of major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_03_B2203; source_row=40405
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found only one letter sufficiently established a period of employment; the self-authored letter and colleague letters did not meet the regulatory requirement of letters from current or former employers and lacked specificity on duties and dates.

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AAO found only one letter sufficiently established a period of employment; the self-authored letter and colleague letters did not meet the regulatory requirement of letters from current or former employers and lacked specificity on duties and dates.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_01_B5203; source_row=40393
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the letters uncorroborated by documentary evidence, the commendation medals did not name the Petitioner, the prize submission did not explain why he received it, military commendations described implementing strategies rather than field contributions, the investor forum invitation did not establish contributions, and the patent application was abandoned before filing.

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AAO found the letters uncorroborated by documentary evidence, the commendation medals did not name the Petitioner, the prize submission did not explain why he received it, military commendations described implementing strategies rather than field contributions, the investor forum invitation did not establish contributions, and the patent application was abandoned before filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_01_B5203; source_row=40394
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 found the evidence showed the importance of the field rather than the broader implications of the specific endeavor. The Petitioner's company does not offer its platform to the wider industry but limits benefits to direct partners, so the impact would not extend beyond the Petitioner and his partners. The company's five employees and unsubstantiated $56M valuation did not demonstrate national-level economic impact.

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AAO found the evidence showed the importance of the field rather than the broader implications of the specific endeavor. The Petitioner's company does not offer its platform to the wider industry but limits benefits to direct partners, so the impact would not extend beyond the Petitioner and his partners. The company's five employees and unsubstantiated $56M valuation did not demonstrate national-level economic impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_01_B5203; source_row=40390
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director improperly applied an academic-articles standard. The Petitioner's articles in publications such as Habr.com and Kommersant were written for learned persons in the field of business and technology and qualify as professional or major trade publications.

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AAO found the Director improperly applied an academic-articles standard. The Petitioner's articles in publications such as Habr.com and Kommersant were written for learned persons in the field of business and technology and qualify as professional or major trade publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_02_B2203; source_row=40398
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the individual in professional or major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner overcame the Director's concerns by providing complete translations and explanations, and demonstrated that articles in outlets such as Komsomolskaya Pravda, Argumenty Nedeli, Forbes Kazakhstan, Esquire Kazakhstan, Cnews, and Tech Times qualify as major media discussing his work in cybersecurity.

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AAO found that the Petitioner overcame the Director's concerns by providing complete translations and explanations, and demonstrated that articles in outlets such as Komsomolskaya Pravda, Argumenty Nedeli, Forbes Kazakhstan, Esquire Kazakhstan, Cnews, and Tech Times qualify as major media discussing his work in cybersecurity.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_02_B2203; source_row=40396
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement

What the decision said

This criterion was not raised or addressed in the motion proceedings.

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This criterion was not raised or addressed in the motion proceedings.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_01_B2203; source_row=40385
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles in the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion that the Petitioner met the criterion relating to authorship of scholarly articles in his field.

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AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion that the Petitioner met the criterion relating to authorship of scholarly articles in his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_01_B2203; source_row=40388
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 the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary given the failure on the first prong.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary given the failure on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-28_02_B5203; source_row=40404
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

Although the Petitioner's proposed endeavor has substantial merit, he failed to demonstrate national importance. His claims of broad economic impact were unsupported, his personal expertise is a second-prong consideration, general industry-importance articles and shortage articles do not establish the specific endeavor's national importance, and letters of recommendation lacked probative detail on broader impact.

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Although the Petitioner's proposed endeavor has substantial merit, he failed to demonstrate national importance. His claims of broad economic impact were unsupported, his personal expertise is a second-prong consideration, general industry-importance articles and shortage articles do not establish the specific endeavor's national importance, and letters of recommendation lacked probative detail on broader impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_03_B5203; source_row=40336
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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