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 33213330

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to analyze the third prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong was dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.

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 analyze the third prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong was dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_04_B5203; source_row=40002
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's analysis consisted of conclusory statements insufficient for meaningful appellate review, and remanded without expressing an opinion on the ultimate merits.

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AAO found the Director's analysis consisted of conclusory statements insufficient for meaningful appellate review, and remanded without expressing an opinion on the ultimate merits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_02_B2203; source_row=39992
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

What the decision said

AAO remanded on step-2 grounds without revisiting the step-1 criterion-level findings; this criterion was not re-examined on appeal.

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AAO remanded on step-2 grounds without revisiting the step-1 criterion-level findings; this criterion was not re-examined on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_02_B2203; source_row=39986
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner has a diploma in nursing and certificates reflecting further education in nursing specializations.

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The Petitioner has a diploma in nursing and certificates reflecting further education in nursing specializations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_06_B5203; source_row=40008
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

License to practice the profession or certification (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

Why the evidence was persuasive

Although the Director erroneously cited dental/odontology credentials rather than nursing credentials, the Petitioner's nursing registration card with the Federal Counsel of Nursing satisfies the license/certification requirement.

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Although the Director erroneously cited dental/odontology credentials rather than nursing credentials, the Petitioner's nursing registration card with the Federal Counsel of Nursing satisfies the license/certification requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_06_B5203; source_row=40010
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letters either lacked specific start/end dates or failed to state whether the work was full or part time; together they accounted for only about three years of employment. The Digital Work Card lacked duty descriptions or full/part-time information. Letters from colleagues rather than employers do not satisfy the plain language of the regulation.

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The employer letters either lacked specific start/end dates or failed to state whether the work was full or part time; together they accounted for only about three years of employment. The Digital Work Card lacked duty descriptions or full/part-time information. Letters from colleagues rather than employers do not satisfy the plain language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_06_B5203; source_row=40009
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The support letters praised the Petitioner's nursing skills and contributions to patient care but did not demonstrate recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field as required by the regulation.

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The support letters praised the Petitioner's nursing skills and contributions to patient care but did not demonstrate recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field as required by the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_06_B5203; source_row=40011
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Exceptional ability (three of six criteria)

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive finding that the Petitioner does not qualify for a national interest waiver.

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AAO reserved this issue as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive finding that the Petitioner does not qualify for a national interest waiver.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_02_B5203; source_row=39993
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

exceptional ability qualification

What the decision said

AAO deemed the issue waived because the Petitioner did not address it on appeal, citing Matter of O-R-E- and Matter of R-A-M-.

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AAO deemed the issue waived because the Petitioner did not address it on appeal, citing Matter of O-R-E- and Matter of R-A-M-.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_05_B5203; source_row=40003
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not address missing author information on appeal, noted unresolved inconsistencies between the Annapurna Post and Annapurna National Daily in the editor's letter, and declined to consider new Wikipedia evidence offered for the first time on appeal after the Petitioner had been given an RFE opportunity to address these deficiencies.

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AAO found the Petitioner did not address missing author information on appeal, noted unresolved inconsistencies between the Annapurna Post and Annapurna National Daily in the editor's letter, and declined to consider new Wikipedia evidence offered for the first time on appeal after the Petitioner had been given an RFE opportunity to address these deficiencies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-15_01_B2203; source_row=39980
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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