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 31413150

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that even if the Petitioner meets his revenue and staffing projections, his endeavor's economic impact does not rise to the level of national importance. Operating in an industry subject to national initiatives is insufficient on its own, and the Petitioner has not demonstrated broader implications or potential prospective impact on a national level.…

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AAO found that even if the Petitioner meets his revenue and staffing projections, his endeavor's economic impact does not rise to the level of national importance. Operating in an industry subject to national initiatives is insufficient on its own, and the Petitioner has not demonstrated broader implications or potential prospective impact on a national level. The patent for the cement block facilities lacked information on viability or potential impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_09_B5203; source_row=40278
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 the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong 3 because the dispositive failure on prong 1 made it unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach prong 3 because the dispositive failure on prong 1 made it unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_15_B5203; source_row=40304
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 declined to reach prong 2 because the dispositive failure on prong 1 made it unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach prong 2 because the dispositive failure on prong 1 made it unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_15_B5203; source_row=40303
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that transcripts confirming attendance and degree completion were in fact present in the record, the Petitioner's legal education relates to his consulting endeavor, and as a lawyer he is a member of the professions under the Act.

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AAO found that transcripts confirming attendance and degree completion were in fact present in the record, the Petitioner's legal education relates to his consulting endeavor, and as a lawyer he is a member of the professions under the Act.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_15_B5203; source_row=40301
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 Petitioner conflated importance of the broader industry/profession with the specific endeavor, did not show his consulting endeavor aims to advance STEM technologies/research with broader implications, and did not corroborate business plan figures or demonstrate that projected revenues and 6-18 positions would yield substantial positive economic effects regionally or nationally.

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AAO found the Petitioner conflated importance of the broader industry/profession with the specific endeavor, did not show his consulting endeavor aims to advance STEM technologies/research with broader implications, and did not corroborate business plan figures or demonstrate that projected revenues and 6-18 positions would yield substantial positive economic effects regionally or nationally.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_13_B5203; source_row=40295
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 to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong three because the failure on prong one was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach prong three because the failure on prong one was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_13_B5203; source_row=40297
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years of full-time experience

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the ten years of full-time experience criterion.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the ten years of full-time experience criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_07_B5203; source_row=40268
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license to practice the profession

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding that the Petitioner's Colombian pilot licenses are not licenses to practice a 'profession' as defined under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2), which requires a U.S. baccalaureate degree or equivalent as the minimum entry requirement.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding that the Petitioner's Colombian pilot licenses are not licenses to practice a 'profession' as defined under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2), which requires a U.S. baccalaureate degree or equivalent as the minimum entry requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_07_B5203; source_row=40269
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the Petitioner did not provide evidence, such as membership requirements, to establish these associations qualify as 'professional associations' consistent with the regulatory definition.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the Petitioner did not provide evidence, such as membership requirements, to establish these associations qualify as 'professional associations' consistent with the regulatory definition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_07_B5203; source_row=40270
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the official academic record criterion based on his diplomas and academic records.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the official academic record criterion based on his diplomas and academic records.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_07_B5203; source_row=40267
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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