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 37313740

NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the projected impact speculative and unsupported by specific job-creation forecasts tied to the Petitioner's endeavor. The consulting work would not extend beyond the Petitioner's clientele to impact the consulting or accounting industries broadly.…

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 projected impact speculative and unsupported by specific job-creation forecasts tied to the Petitioner's endeavor. The consulting work would not extend beyond the Petitioner's clientele to impact the consulting or accounting industries broadly. The business plan's projected 11 employees and associated tax revenue were not shown to be significant in Florida, Texas, or nationally, and the expert opinion did not provide a specific analysis of that significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-26_04_B5203; source_row=39396
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved opinion on prong three as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish prong one.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved opinion on prong three as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-26_04_B5203; source_row=39398
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved opinion on prong two as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish prong one.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved opinion on prong two as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-26_04_B5203; source_row=39397
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that while the oil and gas industry is nationally important, the Petitioner failed to show that his specific work as a project manager would have implications beyond the single company for which he intends to work, did not demonstrate original innovations with broader field-wide implications, and did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or other substantial positive economic effects.…

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AAO agreed that while the oil and gas industry is nationally important, the Petitioner failed to show that his specific work as a project manager would have implications beyond the single company for which he intends to work, did not demonstrate original innovations with broader field-wide implications, and did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or other substantial positive economic effects. AAO also noted the Petitioner had not worked since 2013, further undermining the relevance of his experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-26_03_B5203; source_row=39393
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

What the decision said

The AAO reserved this criterion because a decision on it cannot change the outcome of the appeal given the Petitioner's failure to meet any of the other three contested criteria.

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The AAO reserved this criterion because a decision on it cannot change the outcome of the appeal given the Petitioner's failure to meet any of the other three contested criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-26_01_B2203; source_row=39385
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusions regarding contributions on appeal, so the AAO treated this issue as waived.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusions regarding contributions on appeal, so the AAO treated this issue as waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-26_01_B2203; source_row=39386
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

The AAO found the Director failed to analyze the full scope of the proposed endeavor, including the Petitioner's intention to expand her portfolio of technologies and develop new ones, and did not meaningfully consider a significant portion of the submitted evidence. The matter is remanded for proper analysis.

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The AAO found the Director failed to analyze the full scope of the proposed endeavor, including the Petitioner's intention to expand her portfolio of technologies and develop new ones, and did not meaningfully consider a significant portion of the submitted evidence. The matter is remanded for proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-26_06_B5203; source_row=39402
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

The AAO found the Director's decision contained no separate section analyzing prong two, rendering the basis for the denial unclear and preventing meaningful appellate review. The matter is remanded for a proper analysis.

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The AAO found the Director's decision contained no separate section analyzing prong two, rendering the basis for the denial unclear and preventing meaningful appellate review. The matter is remanded for a proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-26_06_B5203; source_row=39403
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

The AAO found the Director's prong-three determination was unsupported by analysis, failed to discuss specific evidence, and failed to address the Petitioner's arguments. The matter is remanded for proper evaluation of all Dhanasar third-prong factors.

Why this is useful

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The AAO found the Director's prong-three determination was unsupported by analysis, failed to discuss specific evidence, and failed to address the Petitioner's arguments. The matter is remanded for proper evaluation of all Dhanasar third-prong factors.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-26_06_B5203; source_row=39404
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director, finding the record lacks sufficient information to show the Petitioner commanded a salary demonstrating exceptional ability, noting ambiguity in whether the comparison document referred to monthly or annual salaries.

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AAO agreed with the Director, finding the record lacks sufficient information to show the Petitioner commanded a salary demonstrating exceptional ability, noting ambiguity in whether the comparison document referred to monthly or annual salaries.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_03_B5203; source_row=39354
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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