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 31113120

EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted new wage data on appeal because the Director never issued an RFE about the salary evidence before denial. The new evidence showed the Petitioner's 2023 salary exceeded average and high salaries for business intelligence analysts. AAO found by a preponderance that the Petitioner commanded a high salary in her field.

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AAO accepted new wage data on appeal because the Director never issued an RFE about the salary evidence before denial. The new evidence showed the Petitioner's 2023 salary exceeded average and high salaries for business intelligence analysts. AAO found by a preponderance that the Petitioner commanded a high salary in her field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_03_B2203; source_row=40329
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner provided evidence of her authorship of scholarly articles in the field.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner provided evidence of her authorship of scholarly articles in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_03_B2203; source_row=40327
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that opening a supermarket in Florida primarily benefits local customers and the local community without demonstrating broader implications in the food distribution industry nationally or globally.…

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AAO found that opening a supermarket in Florida primarily benefits local customers and the local community without demonstrating broader implications in the food distribution industry nationally or globally. The business plan's unsupported financial projections and general economic assertions were insufficient, and even if the projections were well-founded, the revenue and job creation levels would not constitute substantial positive economic effects or demonstrate the business would be in an economically depressed area.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_02_B5203; source_row=40324
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

exceptional ability qualification

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue as unnecessary to the result given its finding that the Petitioner qualifies under the advanced degree professional prong.

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AAO reserved this issue as unnecessary to the result given its finding that the Petitioner qualifies under the advanced degree professional prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_02_B5203; source_row=40323
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO reviewed the record and found the translator certifications did include language stating the translations were 'true, accurate, and complete,' contradicting the Director's finding. AAO therefore accepted the evidence and found the Petitioner qualifies as an advanced degree professional.

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AAO reviewed the record and found the translator certifications did include language stating the translations were 'true, accurate, and complete,' contradicting the Director's finding. AAO therefore accepted the evidence and found the Petitioner qualifies as an advanced degree professional.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_02_B5203; source_row=40322
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination (totality of evidence)

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold requirement of three criteria, AAO declined to conduct the final merits analysis.

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Because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold requirement of three criteria, AAO declined to conduct the final merits analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_07_B5203; source_row=40361
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

10 years full-time experience (employer letters)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the letters were not from 'current or former employer(s)' as required—two were from colleagues on plain paper and one was from an administrative assistant. The documented work experience covered only certain periods, falling short of ten years.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the letters were not from 'current or former employer(s)' as required—two were from colleagues on plain paper and one was from an administrative assistant. The documented work experience covered only certain periods, falling short of ten years.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_07_B5203; source_row=40359
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

License or certification for a particular profession or occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the certificate merely shows registration and good standing but the Petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that this qualifies as a certification for a particular occupation, particularly given that the record does not establish that an industrial/mechanical technician meets the definition of a profession.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the certificate merely shows registration and good standing but the Petitioner did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that this qualifies as a certification for a particular occupation, particularly given that the record does not establish that an industrial/mechanical technician meets the definition of a profession.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_07_B5203; source_row=40360
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO rejected the Petitioner's proposed interpretation that the definition of 'profession' should be expanded to include arts occupations not requiring a bachelor's degree, holding that this goes against the plain language of 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). The Petitioner cited no authority and submitted no corroborating evidence.

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AAO rejected the Petitioner's proposed interpretation that the definition of 'profession' should be expanded to include arts occupations not requiring a bachelor's degree, holding that this goes against the plain language of 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). The Petitioner cited no authority and submitted no corroborating evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_11_B5203; source_row=40379
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record (degree/diploma/certificate from institution of learning)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's conclusion. The Petitioner relied solely on his own descriptions without corroborating evidence, and bare assertions alone are insufficient.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's conclusion. The Petitioner relied solely on his own descriptions without corroborating evidence, and bare assertions alone are insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-27_11_B5203; source_row=40375
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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