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 31513160

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

On balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong two, making consideration of prong three unnecessary to the result.

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 declined to reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong two, making consideration of prong three unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_12_B5203; source_row=40294
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner's endeavor of improving climate models aligns with the White House's R&D priorities, has national implications in climate science, and the totality of evidence establishes substantial merit and national importance. AAO withdrew the Director's contrary determination.

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 found the Petitioner's endeavor of improving climate models aligns with the White House's R&D priorities, has national implications in climate science, and the totality of evidence establishes substantial merit and national importance. AAO withdrew the Director's contrary determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_12_B5203; source_row=40292
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted the Director's finding that the high salary or remuneration criterion was satisfied.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO accepted the Director's finding that the high salary or remuneration criterion was satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_01_B2203; source_row=40244
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

What the decision said

AAO reserved this criterion because even if met, the Petitioner could not numerically reach three criteria and thus it was unnecessary to the ultimate decision.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved this criterion because even if met, the Petitioner could not numerically reach three criteria and thus it was unnecessary to the ultimate decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_01_B2203; source_row=40243
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

commanding salary demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to document the prevailing wage adequately, noting the website did not break down salaries by industry or experience and did not define what it classifies as a manager. A single website without methodology evidence was insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to document the prevailing wage adequately, noting the website did not break down salaries by industry or experience and did not define what it classifies as a manager. A single website without methodology evidence was insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_10_B5203; source_row=40281
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the letters demonstrated competence and value to specific clients and managers but did not demonstrate significant contributions to the field of product procurement and management as a whole, and the record lacked evidence of awards or recognition by government entities or relevant organizations.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the letters demonstrated competence and value to specific clients and managers but did not demonstrate significant contributions to the field of product procurement and management as a whole, and the record lacked evidence of awards or recognition by government entities or relevant organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_10_B5203; source_row=40282
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong two, reserving it as unnecessary given the dispositive failure on prong one.

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 explicitly declined to reach prong two, reserving it as unnecessary given the dispositive failure on prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_05_B5203; source_row=40262
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong three, reserving it as unnecessary given the dispositive failure on prong one.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO explicitly declined to reach prong three, reserving it as unnecessary given the dispositive failure on prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_05_B5203; source_row=40263
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 the Petitioner's evidence and brief failed to demonstrate how her work as an individual business administrator would impact the field beyond her employer(s). The submitted evidence (educational records, employment verification, awards, support letters) primarily addresses past accomplishments and qualifications, which is more relevant to prong two.…

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 found that the Petitioner's evidence and brief failed to demonstrate how her work as an individual business administrator would impact the field beyond her employer(s). The submitted evidence (educational records, employment verification, awards, support letters) primarily addresses past accomplishments and qualifications, which is more relevant to prong two. The expert opinion letter was given little probative value because it focused on the importance of the business field generally and the Petitioner's skills rather than the specific endeavor's national-level impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_05_B5203; source_row=40261
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the business plan submitted in the RFE constituted a material change from independent industrial engineer to CEO of an engineering firm. Even treating it as clarification, the evidence did not show prospective national impact—projections for employment and revenue lacked corroborating support, support letters were non-binding, and industry reports addressed field-level importance rather than the Petitioner's…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed that the business plan submitted in the RFE constituted a material change from independent industrial engineer to CEO of an engineering firm. Even treating it as clarification, the evidence did not show prospective national impact—projections for employment and revenue lacked corroborating support, support letters were non-binding, and industry reports addressed field-level importance rather than the Petitioner's specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-26_11_B5203; source_row=40288
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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