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 33713380

EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because it was raised for the first time on appeal, so the Director could not have erred with respect to it, and in any event discussion of it would not change the outcome given the Petitioner had not met at least two other criteria.

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because it was raised for the first time on appeal, so the Director could not have erred with respect to it, and in any event discussion of it would not change the outcome given the Petitioner had not met at least two other criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_03_B2203; source_row=39919
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license to practice the profession or certification for a particular profession or occupation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the certificate of good standing satisfies the license/certification criterion.

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AAO agreed the certificate of good standing satisfies the license/certification criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_06_B5203; source_row=39942
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's argument misstates the eligibility criteria, as meeting three criteria is necessary but not sufficient. The letters relate to steel production rather than auto repair entrepreneurship, and the Petitioner did not provide business records demonstrating solvency or substantial contributions to automotive repair entrepreneurialism.

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AAO found the Petitioner's argument misstates the eligibility criteria, as meeting three criteria is necessary but not sufficient. The letters relate to steel production rather than auto repair entrepreneurship, and the Petitioner did not provide business records demonstrating solvency or substantial contributions to automotive repair entrepreneurialism.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_06_B5203; source_row=39945
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

What the decision said

Petitioner did not challenge the director's finding on appeal; the issue is waived. AAO agrees the requirement is not met.

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Petitioner did not challenge the director's finding on appeal; the issue is waived. AAO agrees the requirement is not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_06_B5203; source_row=39939
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner only accounted for work experience from 2015 onward and therefore did not have ten years of experience in his field at the time of filing.

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The Petitioner only accounted for work experience from 2015 onward and therefore did not have ten years of experience in his field at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_06_B5203; source_row=39941
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters discuss the Petitioner's work as a thermal control operator in steel production, not automotive repair. The Petitioner did not articulate how they reflect significant contributions to automotive repair entrepreneurialism, and provided no evidence from government entities or professional organizations.

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The letters discuss the Petitioner's work as a thermal control operator in steel production, not automotive repair. The Petitioner did not articulate how they reflect significant contributions to automotive repair entrepreneurialism, and provided no evidence from government entities or professional organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_06_B5203; source_row=39944
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

evidence of membership in professional associations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the ABM qualifies as a professional association and the Petitioner met his burden to establish this criterion.

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AAO found the ABM qualifies as a professional association and the Petitioner met his burden to establish this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_06_B5203; source_row=39943
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license or certification (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Registering a company under a regional council is not a license or certification to practice a particular profession or occupation.

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Registering a company under a regional council is not a license or certification to practice a particular profession or occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_07_B5203; source_row=39951
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

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 submitted letter showed work as a Sales Representative, not in the occupation sought (Chief Executive Officer), so it does not establish ten years of full-time experience in the relevant occupation.

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The submitted letter showed work as a Sales Representative, not in the occupation sought (Chief Executive Officer), so it does not establish ten years of full-time experience in the relevant occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_07_B5203; source_row=39950
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO does not disturb the Director's finding that this criterion was satisfied.

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AAO does not disturb the Director's finding that this criterion was satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-14_07_B5203; source_row=39949
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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