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 33513360

NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner's documents show his work and education in IT but do not establish recognition for significant contributions to the IT industry or field by peers, governmental entities, or professional or business organizations. The Petitioner did not specifically address this criterion on appeal.

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AAO agreed the Petitioner's documents show his work and education in IT but do not establish recognition for significant contributions to the IT industry or field by peers, governmental entities, or professional or business organizations. The Petitioner did not specifically address this criterion on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_10_B5203; source_row=39971
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's misstatement of the legal standard but independently found the criterion unmet because the Petitioner did not submit the required letters from current or former employers showing at least ten years of full-time experience, and none of the evidence confirmed full-time employment or employment as a CEO.

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AAO withdrew the Director's misstatement of the legal standard but independently found the criterion unmet because the Petitioner did not submit the required letters from current or former employers showing at least ten years of full-time experience, and none of the evidence confirmed full-time employment or employment as a CEO.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_10_B5203; source_row=39967
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Salary or other remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's remuneration demonstrates exceptional ability.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's remuneration demonstrates exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_10_B5203; source_row=39969
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not dispute the Director's conclusion on appeal, so AAO deems the issue waived.

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The Petitioner did not dispute the Director's conclusion on appeal, so AAO deems the issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_04_B2203; source_row=39925
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO finds that detailed evidence — including a letter from Turkey's president of Cinema and Broadcasting Union and corroborating media articles — establishes the significant impact of the Petitioner's efforts to create a more equitable working environment in her field through union and legislative advocacy.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO finds that detailed evidence — including a letter from Turkey's president of Cinema and Broadcasting Union and corroborating media articles — establishes the significant impact of the Petitioner's efforts to create a more equitable working environment in her field through union and legislative advocacy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_04_B2203; source_row=39926
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

AAO does not resolve this criterion but instructs the Director on remand to fully evaluate the awards evidence as part of a final merits analysis, criticizing the Director's lack of explanation.

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AAO does not resolve this criterion but instructs the Director on remand to fully evaluate the awards evidence as part of a final merits analysis, criticizing the Director's lack of explanation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_04_B2203; source_row=39924
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agrees that the record supports the Director's determination that the Petitioner met this criterion.

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AAO agrees that the record supports the Director's determination that the Petitioner met this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_04_B2203; source_row=39927
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO holds the criterion's plain language does not require the organization to have received awards, and finds substantive evidence of a distinguished advertising agency's reputation and the Petitioner's leading roles, including detailed letters describing successful award-winning campaigns produced under her direction.

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AAO holds the criterion's plain language does not require the organization to have received awards, and finds substantive evidence of a distinguished advertising agency's reputation and the Petitioner's leading roles, including detailed letters describing successful award-winning campaigns produced under her direction.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_04_B2203; source_row=39928
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 the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

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 declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_04_B5203; source_row=39934
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Exceptional ability classification

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner did not challenge or address the Director's exceptional ability finding on appeal, AAO declined to reach this issue.

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Because the Petitioner did not challenge or address the Director's exceptional ability finding on appeal, AAO declined to reach this issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_04_B5203; source_row=39932
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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