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 30913100

NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Petitioner's industry reports and articles show the general importance of aviation, they do not address the importance of his specific proposed endeavor. The evidence does not establish that working as a flight instructor would significantly reduce the national pilot shortage or otherwise rise to a level of national importance beyond his potential students or employers.

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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While the Petitioner's industry reports and articles show the general importance of aviation, they do not address the importance of his specific proposed endeavor. The evidence does not establish that working as a flight instructor would significantly reduce the national pilot shortage or otherwise rise to a level of national importance beyond his potential students or employers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_05_B5203; source_row=40351
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO had affirmed the Director's determination that the petitioner did not meet the first prong, and on motion the petitioner did not show new facts or legal error warranting a different result.

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 had affirmed the Director's determination that the petitioner did not meet the first prong, and on motion the petitioner did not show new facts or legal error warranting a different result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_10_B5203; source_row=40372
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found submitted publications were predominantly local in focus. The Yelp article lacked required author credit. The local newspaper's SimilarWeb data showed relatively modest readership ranking fourth among California newspapers. The argument that any internet publication reaches a global audience conflates potential reach with actual readership.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found submitted publications were predominantly local in focus. The Yelp article lacked required author credit. The local newspaper's SimilarWeb data showed relatively modest readership ranking fourth among California newspapers. The argument that any internet publication reaches a global audience conflates potential reach with actual readership.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_02_B2203; source_row=40318
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high remuneration for services

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO disagreed with the director, finding that the record does not support the conclusion that the Petitioner owned multiple restaurants simultaneously. His résumé lists three restaurants in succession, and his current restaurant is his only documented source of income.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO disagreed with the director, finding that the record does not support the conclusion that the Petitioner owned multiple restaurants simultaneously. His résumé lists three restaurants in succession, and his current restaurant is his only documented source of income.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_02_B2203; source_row=40320
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the Michelin Guide listing establishes the restaurant's distinguished reputation, and the Petitioner as owner and chef performs in a leading role.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed that the Michelin Guide listing establishes the restaurant's distinguished reputation, and the Petitioner as owner and chef performs in a leading role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_02_B2203; source_row=40319
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed step one, but noted in the aggregate that the record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim.

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 determination because the Petitioner failed step one, but noted in the aggregate that the record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_02_B2203; source_row=40321
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial success in performing arts

What the decision said

On appeal, the Petitioner did not contest the Director's findings for this criterion or offer additional arguments, so AAO deemed the claim abandoned.

Why this is useful

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On appeal, the Petitioner did not contest the Director's findings for this criterion or offer additional arguments, so AAO deemed the claim abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_05_B2203; source_row=40348
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive finding against the Petitioner on the first prong.

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 reserved the third prong as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive finding against the Petitioner on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_08_B5203; source_row=40368
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved the second prong as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive finding against the Petitioner on the first prong.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO reserved the second prong as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive finding against the Petitioner on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_08_B5203; source_row=40367
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

What the decision said

AAO identified conflicting evidence regarding when the Petitioner earned his doctoral degree but reserved the issue because the appeal is dismissed on other dispositive grounds.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO identified conflicting evidence regarding when the Petitioner earned his doctoral degree but reserved the issue because the appeal is dismissed on other dispositive grounds.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_08_B5203; source_row=40365
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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