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 34413450

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 declines to reach this prong because the first-prong failure is dispositive.

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 declines to reach this prong because the first-prong failure is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-12_02_B5203; source_row=39837
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO reserves this prong as unnecessary to the disposition.

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 reserves this prong as unnecessary to the disposition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-12_02_B5203; source_row=39838
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

Neither the Union of Self-Employed Cargo Transporters nor the National Agency for Terrestrial Transportation indicated that a baccalaureate degree is required for entry into the cargo transporter occupation, so they do not qualify as professional associations under the regulatory definition.

Why this is useful

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Neither the Union of Self-Employed Cargo Transporters nor the National Agency for Terrestrial Transportation indicated that a baccalaureate degree is required for entry into the cargo transporter occupation, so they do not qualify as professional associations under the regulatory definition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-09_02_B5203; source_row=39814
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

salary or other remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letter did not state the Petitioner's salary, and no other evidence was submitted demonstrating a salary or remuneration indicative of exceptional ability.

Why this is useful

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The employer letter did not state the Petitioner's salary, and no other evidence was submitted demonstrating a salary or remuneration indicative of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-09_02_B5203; source_row=39813
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. The Petitioner waived challenges to the letters and articles by not meaningfully contesting the Director's reasoning.…

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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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. The Petitioner waived challenges to the letters and articles by not meaningfully contesting the Director's reasoning. His business plan arguments relied on global and national industry figures that could not be meaningfully applied to a small local startup operating in Florida, and aligning with government priorities alone is insufficient under the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-09_03_B5203; source_row=39819
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

Without a full transcript, the radio program cannot be verified to be about the Petitioner and related to his work, and the radio station was not shown to qualify as major media. Circulation statistics for the websites and O Tempo were not contextualized or compared to other publications to establish major media status.

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Without a full transcript, the radio program cannot be verified to be about the Petitioner and related to his work, and the radio station was not shown to qualify as major media. Circulation statistics for the websites and O Tempo were not contextualized or compared to other publications to establish major media status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-09_01_B2203; source_row=39802
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters and articles attest to the Petitioner's talent but do not provide specific examples of how his methods have influenced others in the field or demonstrate impact on the field as a whole; publications alone are insufficient without evidence that they were of major significance.

Why this is useful

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

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The letters and articles attest to the Petitioner's talent but do not provide specific examples of how his methods have influenced others in the field or demonstrate impact on the field as a whole; publications alone are insufficient without evidence that they were of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-09_01_B2203; source_row=39803
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to show that his selection for a substitute professor position constitutes an award rather than a job opening, did not provide official results or competitor numbers, and did not demonstrate that recognition for his thesis or 'best professor' designations are nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence in the field.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner failed to show that his selection for a substitute professor position constitutes an award rather than a job opening, did not provide official results or competitor numbers, and did not demonstrate that recognition for his thesis or 'best professor' designations are nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-09_01_B2203; source_row=39800
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner appeared to be a licensed professional of CAU rather than an actual member, did not provide documentation showing membership or entry requirements, and failed to show that membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner appeared to be a licensed professional of CAU rather than an actual member, did not provide documentation showing membership or entry requirements, and failed to show that membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-09_01_B2203; source_row=39801
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds the new evidence and arguments still fail to show the specific endeavor (rather than the life sciences industry generally) has national importance, prospective broader implications, or significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects.

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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AAO finds the new evidence and arguments still fail to show the specific endeavor (rather than the life sciences industry generally) has national importance, prospective broader implications, or significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-09_01_B5203; source_row=39809
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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