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 36813690

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

Sufficiency of NOIR and response options

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Director correctly issued a NOIR before revoking, the NOIR improperly limited the Petitioner's response options. The USCIS Policy Manual allows a petitioner to respond to a NOIR by paying the correct fee amount or demonstrating that USCIS made an error, neither of which was offered to this Petitioner. The revocation was therefore procedurally defective.

Why this is useful

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

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While the Director correctly issued a NOIR before revoking, the NOIR improperly limited the Petitioner's response options. The USCIS Policy Manual allows a petitioner to respond to a NOIR by paying the correct fee amount or demonstrating that USCIS made an error, neither of which was offered to this Petitioner. The revocation was therefore procedurally defective.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_07_B5203; source_row=39474
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementFounder

Issue evaluated

other

National interest waiver eligibility

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue because the failure to qualify for EB-2 classification was 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 this issue because the failure to qualify for EB-2 classification was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_02_B5203; source_row=39458
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementFounder

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's favorable finding because the record does not show that membership in either organization requires a baccalaureate degree, so they are not 'professional associations' within the meaning of the regulation.

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AAO withdrew the Director's favorable finding because the record does not show that membership in either organization requires a baccalaureate degree, so they are not 'professional associations' within the meaning of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_02_B5203; source_row=39456
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementFounder

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters and awards show personal golfing achievements but do not establish significant contributions to the sport or industry. The Petitioner's LLC was organized after the petition was filed and cannot be considered, and the regulation requires both achievements and significant contributions.

Why this is useful

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

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The letters and awards show personal golfing achievements but do not establish significant contributions to the sport or industry. The Petitioner's LLC was organized after the petition was filed and cannot be considered, and the regulation requires both achievements and significant contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_02_B5203; source_row=39457
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementFounder

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

None of the submitted letters were from employers, and none indicated she had been employed as a golf entrepreneur. Letters describing her work with younger golfers did not show employment in a related capacity.

Why this is useful

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

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None of the submitted letters were from employers, and none indicated she had been employed as a golf entrepreneur. Letters describing her work with younger golfers did not show employment in a related capacity.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_02_B5203; source_row=39455
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementFounder

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Academic record of degree, diploma, certificate or similar award (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The WGCA and NCAA are athletic associations, not institutions of learning, and the Petitioner did not submit an official academic record from any institution of learning.

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The WGCA and NCAA are athletic associations, not institutions of learning, and the Petitioner did not submit an official academic record from any institution of learning.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_02_B5203; source_row=39454
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO reserved opinion on this prong because the EB-2 threshold eligibility was not established, making NIW analysis unnecessary.

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 reserved opinion on this prong because the EB-2 threshold eligibility was not established, making NIW analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_05_B5203; source_row=39467
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Economics

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's business plan projections ($3.5 million revenue, 24 jobs over five years) insufficient to demonstrate national or regionally significant economic impact, that the Petitioner's claims were conclusory and unsupported by independent objective evidence, and that no sufficient evidentiary tie was established between the proposed consulting services and the claimed national economic results.

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 the Petitioner's business plan projections ($3.5 million revenue, 24 jobs over five years) insufficient to demonstrate national or regionally significant economic impact, that the Petitioner's claims were conclusory and unsupported by independent objective evidence, and that no sufficient evidentiary tie was established between the proposed consulting services and the claimed national economic results.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_16_B5203; source_row=39496
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

AAO does not reach this criterion at step 1; it weighs the contribution evidence in the final merits determination.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO does not reach this criterion at step 1; it weighs the contribution evidence in the final merits determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_01_B2203; source_row=39445
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

What the decision said

AAO does not separately decide this criterion at step 1; it considers the press evidence at the final merits stage.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO does not separately decide this criterion at step 1; it considers the press evidence at the final merits stage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-30_01_B2203; source_row=39443
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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