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 36613670

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner did not demonstrate that the prospective impact of her work as a human resources and marketing communications specialist rose to the level of national importance, as she did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects, and her situation was not analogous to the scientific researcher in Dhanasar.

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 found that the Petitioner did not demonstrate that the prospective impact of her work as a human resources and marketing communications specialist rose to the level of national importance, as she did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects, and her situation was not analogous to the scientific researcher in Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_03_B5203; source_row=39459
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

What the decision said

AAO reserved the issue because the petitioner did not contest it on appeal and the national importance finding is dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved the issue because the petitioner did not contest it on appeal and the national importance finding is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_09_B5203; source_row=39486
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the awards and certificates reflected employer appreciation rather than industry-level impact, and the letters discussed skills and personal attributes without showing how contributions were significant to the broader industry or field.

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AAO concluded the awards and certificates reflected employer appreciation rather than industry-level impact, and the letters discussed skills and personal attributes without showing how contributions were significant to the broader industry or field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_06_B5203; source_row=39471
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Academic record (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found, and AAO did not disturb, that the Petitioner satisfied the academic record criterion.

Why this is useful

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The Director found, and AAO did not disturb, that the Petitioner satisfied the academic record criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_06_B5203; source_row=39472
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Ten years of full-time experience in the occupation (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to explain why her purported six-year position was omitted from her initial Form ETA 750B and resume; the classmate's letter lacked personal knowledge; and inconsistencies between business plan (eight years), resume (less than five years), and current claim (ten years), plus a chronology in which she allegedly worked as an accountant five years before starting university, undermined credibility.

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to explain why her purported six-year position was omitted from her initial Form ETA 750B and resume; the classmate's letter lacked personal knowledge; and inconsistencies between business plan (eight years), resume (less than five years), and current claim (ten years), plus a chronology in which she allegedly worked as an accountant five years before starting university, undermined credibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_06_B5203; source_row=39470
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found, and AAO did not disturb, that the Petitioner satisfied the membership criterion.

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The Director found, and AAO did not disturb, that the Petitioner satisfied the membership criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_06_B5203; source_row=39473
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

commanding a high salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The accountant letter was unsupported by independent corroborating evidence such as payroll, employment, bank, or tax records, making it insufficient to establish his salary or remuneration for the period described.

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The accountant letter was unsupported by independent corroborating evidence such as payroll, employment, bank, or tax records, making it insufficient to establish his salary or remuneration for the period described.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_08_B5203; source_row=39479
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years full-time experience letters (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

What the decision said

AAO declined to address whether criterion (B) was met because the Petitioner already failed to meet four other criteria, making resolution of criterion (B) unnecessary to the outcome.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to address whether criterion (B) was met because the Petitioner already failed to meet four other criteria, making resolution of criterion (B) unnecessary to the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_08_B5203; source_row=39477
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that criterion (A) was satisfied.

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AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that criterion (A) was satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_08_B5203; source_row=39476
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to provide evidence establishing the nature, purpose, or membership requirements of Clube de Engenharia to show it qualifies as a 'professional' association within the regulatory definition.

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The Petitioner failed to provide evidence establishing the nature, purpose, or membership requirements of Clube de Engenharia to show it qualifies as a 'professional' association within the regulatory definition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_08_B5203; source_row=39480
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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