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 35613570

NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

license or certification

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not show that a license or certification is required to be employed as a computer systems analyst. The certifications may aid employability but are not shown to be required for the occupation.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not show that a license or certification is required to be employed as a computer systems analyst. The certifications may aid employability but are not shown to be required for the occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-05_04_B5203; source_row=39639
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Evidence of membership in professional associations

What the decision said

AAO declined to review this criterion because even if met, the Petitioner could not reach the required three criteria given failures on (A), (C), (D), and (F).

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO declined to review this criterion because even if met, the Petitioner could not reach the required three criteria given failures on (A), (C), (D), and (F).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-05_04_B5203; source_row=39641
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

Commanding a salary demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

Both the Petitioner and AAO concurred with the Director's finding that this criterion was not met.

Why this is useful

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Both the Petitioner and AAO concurred with the Director's finding that this criterion was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-05_04_B5203; source_row=39640
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

At least ten years of full-time work experience in the occupation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concurred with the Director's finding that the Petitioner met this criterion; no further discussion was warranted as both parties accepted this finding.

Why this is useful

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AAO concurred with the Director's finding that the Petitioner met this criterion; no further discussion was warranted as both parties accepted this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-05_04_B5203; source_row=39638
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the second prong because the first prong was not met, making further analysis unnecessary.

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 did not reach the second prong because the first prong was not met, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-05_01_B5203; source_row=39628
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the third prong because the first prong was not met, making further analysis unnecessary.

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 did not reach the third prong because the first prong was not met, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-05_01_B5203; source_row=39629
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 to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved determination on the third prong as unnecessary because failure on the first prong was dispositive.

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 explicitly reserved determination on the third prong as unnecessary because failure on the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-05_06_B5203; source_row=39648
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 explicitly reserved determination on the second prong as unnecessary because failure on the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
AAO explicitly reserved determination on the second prong as unnecessary because failure on the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-05_06_B5203; source_row=39647
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

What the decision said

AAO did not conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted in advisory terms that the record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO did not conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted in advisory terms that the record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-05_01_B2203; source_row=39626
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met the substantial merit sub-element but failed to establish national importance. The submitted publications addressed patents generally rather than the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor, the client letters showed benefits only to individual clients rather than broader field impact, and the Petitioner's own patents were relevant to the second prong (being well-position…

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 met the substantial merit sub-element but failed to establish national importance. The submitted publications addressed patents generally rather than the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor, the client letters showed benefits only to individual clients rather than broader field impact, and the Petitioner's own patents were relevant to the second prong (being well-positioned) rather than the national importance of his proposed endeavor as an attorney.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-02_01_B5203; source_row=39605
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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