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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EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's dogsledding accomplishments do not rise to the level of a one-time major internationally recognized award. AAO found the Director did not add extra requirements but properly applied the narrow standard.…

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's dogsledding accomplishments do not rise to the level of a one-time major internationally recognized award. AAO found the Director did not add extra requirements but properly applied the narrow standard. AAO also declined to consider new evidence submitted on appeal because the Petitioner had been given prior notice and opportunity to submit it, and in any event the new evidence was insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_02_B2203; source_row=39665
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that neither the USFSS nor the Czech national dogsled team memberships satisfied this criterion. For the USFSS, the eligibility criteria (which are foundational and non-negotiable) do not require outstanding achievements; performance-based selection criteria are merely subordinate secondary factors. For the Czech team, the letter from Mr.…

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AAO agreed with the Director that neither the USFSS nor the Czech national dogsled team memberships satisfied this criterion. For the USFSS, the eligibility criteria (which are foundational and non-negotiable) do not require outstanding achievements; performance-based selection criteria are merely subordinate secondary factors. For the Czech team, the letter from Mr. Nesnera did not establish that outstanding performance is required of all members or that it is a condition of eligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_02_B2203; source_row=39668
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to clarify her specific proposed endeavor or explain how she would divide her time between judicial law clerking and international trade consulting, leaving substantial merit and national importance unestablished.

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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The Petitioner failed to clarify her specific proposed endeavor or explain how she would divide her time between judicial law clerking and international trade consulting, leaving substantial merit and national importance unestablished.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_04_B5203; source_row=39697
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but the record lacked specific probative evidence that it would have significant potential to employ U.S. workers, broadly impact industries, or have broader economic or social implications amounting to national importance.

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 concluded the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but the record lacked specific probative evidence that it would have significant potential to employ U.S. workers, broadly impact industries, or have broader economic or social implications amounting to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_07_B5203; source_row=39713
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life SciencesPhD

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director overlooked key evidence including the Petitioner's 99.96th citation percentile ranking, five scholarly articles in the top 10% most-cited in the field (two in top 1%), and expert letters describing the major significance of specific methodologies. This evidence collectively demonstrated original contributions 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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AAO found the Director overlooked key evidence including the Petitioner's 99.96th citation percentile ranking, five scholarly articles in the top 10% most-cited in the field (two in top 1%), and expert letters describing the major significance of specific methodologies. This evidence collectively demonstrated original contributions of major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_01_B2203; source_row=39657
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in a professional association

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO noted that the Petitioner did not claim and the evidence does not reflect membership in a professional association.

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AAO noted that the Petitioner did not claim and the evidence does not reflect membership in a professional association.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_02_B5203; source_row=39674
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license to practice the profession or certification for a profession

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the work and social security card lists prior work experience and salary but does not list licenses or certifications, and being mandatory for service providers in Brazil does not make it equivalent to a professional license or certification.

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AAO found the work and social security card lists prior work experience and salary but does not list licenses or certifications, and being mandatory for service providers in Brazil does not make it equivalent to a professional license or certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_02_B5203; source_row=39672
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's combined work history—an internship from April 2013 to May 2014, employment from May 2014 to August 2017, and employment from September 2018 to August 2021—totaled less than ten years of experience.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's combined work history—an internship from April 2013 to May 2014, employment from May 2014 to August 2017, and employment from September 2018 to August 2021—totaled less than ten years of experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_02_B5203; source_row=39671
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

degree, diploma, or similar award relating to area of exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not dispute the Director's finding that the degree criterion was met.

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AAO did not dispute the Director's finding that the degree criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_02_B5203; source_row=39670
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the salary evidence insufficient because the work card confirms salary but does not compare it to general pay in the occupational field, recommendation letters do not address salary, and the salary search report was limited to small businesses only and did not provide information on the population searched.

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AAO found the salary evidence insufficient because the work card confirms salary but does not compare it to general pay in the occupational field, recommendation letters do not address salary, and the salary search report was limited to small businesses only and did not provide information on the population searched.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-06_02_B5203; source_row=39673
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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