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 37113720

NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reopen Requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The motion to reopen was dismissed because the Petitioner failed to identify any new facts or submit documentary evidence of such facts, as required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2).

Why this is useful

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The motion to reopen was dismissed because the Petitioner failed to identify any new facts or submit documentary evidence of such facts, as required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_12_B5203; source_row=39433
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reconsider Requirements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The motion to reconsider was dismissed because the Petitioner did not establish that the prior AAO decision was based on an incorrect application of law or policy, did not specifically identify evidence or errors in AAO's analysis, and did not explain how the decision violated Fourth Amendment rights.

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The motion to reconsider was dismissed because the Petitioner did not establish that the prior AAO decision was based on an incorrect application of law or policy, did not specifically identify evidence or errors in AAO's analysis, and did not explain how the decision violated Fourth Amendment rights.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_12_B5203; source_row=39434
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence sufficiently demonstrated display of the Petitioner's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence sufficiently demonstrated display of the Petitioner's work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_01_B2203; source_row=39408
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 explicitly declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the Step 1 threshold, though it noted in dicta that the record does not support sustained national or international acclaim.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner did not satisfy the Step 1 threshold, though it noted in dicta that the record does not support sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_01_B2203; source_row=39410
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that only two of the submitted articles even mentioned the Petitioner's name, and neither was about him — one was about the band's receipt of silver medals and the other about an award given to an orchestra — with the Petitioner's name merely listed among other band members. AAO withdrew the Director's favorable determination.

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AAO found that only two of the submitted articles even mentioned the Petitioner's name, and neither was about him — one was about the band's receipt of silver medals and the other about an award given to an orchestra — with the Petitioner's name merely listed among other band members. AAO withdrew the Director's favorable determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_01_B2203; source_row=39407
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director did not adequately justify why these awards were not issued for excellence in the field and reversed, concluding the Silver Medal awards were sufficient to meet this criterion.

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AAO found the Director did not adequately justify why these awards were not issued for excellence in the field and reversed, concluding the Silver Medal awards were sufficient to meet this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_01_B2203; source_row=39405
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the CEO letter made broad claims without providing specific details to differentiate the Petitioner's role from other band members, and the Record Deal Memorandum showed only that he would serve as Principal Trumpeter on an unspecified album with no evidence the album was ever created.

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AAO found the CEO letter made broad claims without providing specific details to differentiate the Petitioner's role from other band members, and the Record Deal Memorandum showed only that he would serve as Principal Trumpeter on an unspecified album with no evidence the album was ever created.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_01_B2203; source_row=39409
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 reserved the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the petitioner failed the first prong.

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 reserved the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the petitioner failed the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_09_B5203; source_row=39431
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 reserved the second prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the petitioner failed the first prong.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved the second prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the petitioner failed the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_09_B5203; source_row=39430
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

The second prong was not addressed in the motion or in AAO's analysis.

Why this is useful

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The second prong was not addressed in the motion or in AAO's analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_08_B5203; source_row=39427
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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