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 32913300

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

What the decision said

The Petitioner submitted letters and certificates related to his company's involvement in various projects but never identified this as a criterion being claimed; no analysis was performed.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner submitted letters and certificates related to his company's involvement in various projects but never identified this as a criterion being claimed; no analysis was performed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_03_B2203; source_row=40033
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

What the decision said

The Petitioner submitted an invitation to participate as a member of a competition commission but never identified this as a criterion being claimed; no analysis was performed.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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The Petitioner submitted an invitation to participate as a member of a competition commission but never identified this as a criterion being claimed; no analysis was performed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_03_B2203; source_row=40032
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the proposed endeavor was insufficiently defined — consisting of a multi-step plan involving private employment, networking, a Ph.D., and eventual government work — and that the Petitioner provided no corroborating evidence to show what his work would entail, how it would have broader implications for the sustainability field, or what substantial positive economic effects would 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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The AAO found the proposed endeavor was insufficiently defined — consisting of a multi-step plan involving private employment, networking, a Ph.D., and eventual government work — and that the Petitioner provided no corroborating evidence to show what his work would entail, how it would have broader implications for the sustainability field, or what substantial positive economic effects would result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_02_B5203; source_row=40027
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO notes the Director credited this criterion and it was not contested on appeal.

Why this is useful

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AAO notes the Director credited this criterion and it was not contested on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_04_B5203; source_row=40045
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

academic record

academic record relating to area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The transcript shows the substantive coursework relates to aeronautics, not manufacturing, and neither the Petitioner nor the expert opinion specifically explains how the coursework directly relates to manufacturing.

Why this is useful

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

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The transcript shows the substantive coursework relates to aeronautics, not manufacturing, and neither the Petitioner nor the expert opinion specifically explains how the coursework directly relates to manufacturing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_04_B5203; source_row=40044
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license to practice the profession or certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the record does not establish that a license or certification is required to practice as a general and operations manager in the manufacturing industry.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agrees the record does not establish that a license or certification is required to practice as a general and operations manager in the manufacturing industry.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_04_B5203; source_row=40046
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

Salary criterion was credited by the Director and not contested on appeal.

Why this is useful

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

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Salary criterion was credited by the Director and not contested on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_04_B5203; source_row=40047
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the Petitioner failed to provide metrics or independent evidence showing impact beyond his employers and their specific projects at a level indicative of significant contributions to the field.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agrees the Petitioner failed to provide metrics or independent evidence showing impact beyond his employers and their specific projects at a level indicative of significant contributions to the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_04_B5203; source_row=40049
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other900 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner authored peer-reviewed research papers, satisfying the scholarly articles criterion, as both the Director and AAO agreed.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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The Petitioner authored peer-reviewed research papers, satisfying the scholarly articles criterion, as both the Director and AAO agreed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_01_B2203; source_row=40017
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other900 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner submitted evidence of original contributions of major significance in his field, which the Director found sufficient and AAO affirmed.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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The Petitioner submitted evidence of original contributions of major significance in his field, which the Director found sufficient and AAO affirmed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-16_01_B2203; source_row=40016
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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