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 32313240

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

Because the first prong was dispositive, AAO expressly reserved the second prong and declined to reach it.

Why this is useful

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Because the first prong was dispositive, AAO expressly reserved the second prong and declined to reach it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_04_B5203; source_row=40152
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

What the decision said

The Director concluded the record does not establish a one-time major internationally recognized award. The Petitioner did not contest this finding on appeal, thereby waiving it.

Why this is useful

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The Director concluded the record does not establish a one-time major internationally recognized award. The Petitioner did not contest this finding on appeal, thereby waiving it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_01_B2203; source_row=40128
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

Authorship of scholarly articles (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3)(vi))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found criterion (vi) satisfied, and the Petitioner reasserted it on appeal. AAO implicitly affirmed this finding.

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The Director found criterion (vi) satisfied, and the Petitioner reasserted it on appeal. AAO implicitly affirmed this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_01_B2203; source_row=40131
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

Participation as judge of others' work (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3)(iv))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found criterion (iv) satisfied, and the Petitioner reasserted it on appeal. AAO implicitly affirmed this finding by adopting the Director's overall analysis.

Why this is useful

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The Director found criterion (iv) satisfied, and the Petitioner reasserted it on appeal. AAO implicitly affirmed this finding by adopting the Director's overall analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_01_B2203; source_row=40129
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Chemistry / Chemical Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards (criteria other than iv-vi)

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not assert on appeal that the record satisfies criteria other than (iv)-(vi), thereby waiving all remaining criteria.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not assert on appeal that the record satisfies criteria other than (iv)-(vi), thereby waiving all remaining criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_01_B2203; source_row=40132
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 did not reach the second prong because the first prong was not met, making the ultimate outcome dispositive at that stage.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not reach the second prong because the first prong was not met, making the ultimate outcome dispositive at that stage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_03_B5203; source_row=40149
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The new employer letter was outside the record and need not be considered on a motion to reconsider, but in any event the letters and certifications attest to experience and personal achievements rather than significant contributions to the aviation mechanics field as a whole.

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The new employer letter was outside the record and need not be considered on a motion to reconsider, but in any event the letters and certifications attest to experience and personal achievements rather than significant contributions to the aviation mechanics field as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_02_B5203; source_row=40144
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because PAMA's regular-member requirements are FAA part 65 mechanic/repairman certification or equivalent — not a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent — PAMA does not meet the regulatory definition of a professional association.

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Because PAMA's regular-member requirements are FAA part 65 mechanic/repairman certification or equivalent — not a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent — PAMA does not meet the regulatory definition of a professional association.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_02_B5203; source_row=40143
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

What the decision said

AAO treated the issue as waived because the Petitioner did not discuss eligibility for this criterion in any detail or explain how the appellate decision was based on incorrect law or policy.

Why this is useful

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AAO treated the issue as waived because the Petitioner did not discuss eligibility for this criterion in any detail or explain how the appellate decision was based on incorrect law or policy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_02_B5203; source_row=40142
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidence threshold, but noted in dicta that the record does not establish the required acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the initial evidence threshold, but noted in dicta that the record does not establish the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-21_02_B2203; source_row=40141
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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