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

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NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner lacks formal education or experience in business, curriculum development, teacher training, grant writing, or educational policy development at relevant levels; has not taken steps to create a legal entity or obtain accreditation; has not shown she possesses the funds she proposes to invest; and has provided no evidence of interest from potential customers or investors.

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AAO found the Petitioner lacks formal education or experience in business, curriculum development, teacher training, grant writing, or educational policy development at relevant levels; has not taken steps to create a legal entity or obtain accreditation; has not shown she possesses the funds she proposes to invest; and has provided no evidence of interest from potential customers or investors.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_03_B5203; source_row=39730
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letters described only the Petitioner's character, work ethic, and positive personal qualities, but did not demonstrate recognition for noteworthy achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field at a level indicative of exceptional ability. Recognition limited to employers and clients on specific projects is insufficient.

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The recommendation letters described only the Petitioner's character, work ethic, and positive personal qualities, but did not demonstrate recognition for noteworthy achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field at a level indicative of exceptional ability. Recognition limited to employers and clients on specific projects is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_06_B5203; source_row=39744
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied this criterion. No further analysis was provided.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied this criterion. No further analysis was provided.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_06_B5203; source_row=39739
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years of full-time experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding that the Petitioner met this criterion. The employment letters did not adequately reflect ten years of full-time experience in the proposed occupation as a procurement and import specialist, as two letters described work as a sales trader, one letter lacked job duties and full-time confirmation, and one letter contained an incomplete certified English translation.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding that the Petitioner met this criterion. The employment letters did not adequately reflect ten years of full-time experience in the proposed occupation as a procurement and import specialist, as two letters described work as a sales trader, one letter lacked job duties and full-time confirmation, and one letter contained an incomplete certified English translation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_06_B5203; source_row=39740
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Generalized information about the legal profession and business does not address how the specific endeavor would have national or global implications. The RFE-introduced plans to found a legal tech company and provide cybersecurity services to the government constitute new material facts that cannot establish eligibility because they were not asserted at the time of filing.…

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Generalized information about the legal profession and business does not address how the specific endeavor would have national or global implications. The RFE-introduced plans to found a legal tech company and provide cybersecurity services to the government constitute new material facts that cannot establish eligibility because they were not asserted at the time of filing. The endeavor as properly described only benefits individual clients without broader national implications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_01_B5203; source_row=39723
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong two because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one.

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AAO did not reach prong two because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_02_B5203; source_row=39727
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one.

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AAO did not reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_02_B5203; source_row=39728
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved consideration of prong two because the failure of prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO reserved consideration of prong two because the failure of prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_04_B5203; source_row=39733
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO reserved consideration of prong three because the failure of prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved consideration of prong three because the failure of prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_04_B5203; source_row=39734
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis, finding that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor — continuing compliance work for her employer — did not extend beyond her current or future employers to impact the fields of healthcare fraud or tax compliance at a national level. The Petitioner also failed to show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or other substantial positive economic effects.

Why this is useful

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis, finding that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor — continuing compliance work for her employer — did not extend beyond her current or future employers to impact the fields of healthcare fraud or tax compliance at a national level. The Petitioner also failed to show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or other substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-07_07_B5203; source_row=39748
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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