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 34713480

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

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director overlooked a 1997 journal article describing the hospital as 'Russia's major scientific research and clinical center' with nearly 100 years of history and noted breakthroughs in multiple fields.…

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AAO found the Director overlooked a 1997 journal article describing the hospital as 'Russia's major scientific research and clinical center' with nearly 100 years of history and noted breakthroughs in multiple fields. AAO concluded a preponderance of the evidence shows the two similar names refer to the same institution, establishing that the Petitioner performed in a critical role for an organization with a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_03_B2203; source_row=39768
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner submitted evidence of her authorship of scholarly articles in her field.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner submitted evidence of her authorship of scholarly articles in her field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_03_B2203; source_row=39767
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

other

intent to continue working in the field in the United States

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the letter from the medical school department chair explicitly offered the Petitioner a permanent position upon receiving permanent residency, and combined with the Petitioner's own statement of intent, this satisfied the clear evidence requirement.

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AAO found the letter from the medical school department chair explicitly offered the Petitioner a permanent position upon receiving permanent residency, and combined with the Petitioner's own statement of intent, this satisfied the clear evidence requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_03_B2203; source_row=39773
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

artistic display

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner meets the artistic display criterion.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner meets the artistic display criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_02_B2203; source_row=39760
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner submitted evidence showing authorship of scholarly articles in professional publications and therefore meets this criterion, disagreeing with the Director.

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AAO found that the Petitioner submitted evidence showing authorship of scholarly articles in professional publications and therefore meets this criterion, disagreeing with the Director.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_02_B2203; source_row=39759
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold initial evidence requirements. In advisory dicta, AAO noted the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

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AAO declined to conduct a final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold initial evidence requirements. In advisory dicta, AAO noted the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_05_B2203; source_row=39796
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

Major internationally recognized one-time award

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence fell far short. The Petitioner's fight was a preliminary card match, covered only briefly in secondary media, and the locker bonus was not documented as a large cash prize. The Petitioner submitted no probative documentary evidence of global reporting or recognition.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence fell far short. The Petitioner's fight was a preliminary card match, covered only briefly in secondary media, and the locker bonus was not documented as a large cash prize. The Petitioner submitted no probative documentary evidence of global reporting or recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_05_B2203; source_row=39786
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 found that the proposed endeavor appears limited in reach to the Petitioner's clients. The expert letter improperly rested on the importance of the business field rather than the specific endeavor's national-level impact. The remaining evidence addressed past accomplishments relevant to prong two, not prospective national impact.…

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Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO found that the proposed endeavor appears limited in reach to the Petitioner's clients. The expert letter improperly rested on the importance of the business field rather than the specific endeavor's national-level impact. The remaining evidence addressed past accomplishments relevant to prong two, not prospective national impact. The Director's failure to identify evidence or provide analysis made it impossible to understand the basis for the prong one finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_01_B5203; source_row=39752
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

Well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO found that the Director applied an incorrect legal standard for prong two by requiring evidence of national/global impact and contributions beyond employers or clients — standards not relevant to the prong two analysis. AAO remanded for the Director to apply the correct standard.

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AAO found that the Director applied an incorrect legal standard for prong two by requiring evidence of national/global impact and contributions beyond employers or clients — standards not relevant to the prong two analysis. AAO remanded for the Director to apply the correct standard.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_01_B5203; source_row=39753
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

Although the Petitioner claimed this criterion on appeal, she referred to an exhibit without explaining what the evidence consisted of or how the Director erred. AAO treated this as inadequately briefed and effectively waived.

Why this is useful

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

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Although the Petitioner claimed this criterion on appeal, she referred to an exhibit without explaining what the evidence consisted of or how the Director erred. AAO treated this as inadequately briefed and effectively waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-08_04_B2203; source_row=39778
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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