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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 37513760

NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license or certification for the profession or occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was not met because the record does not demonstrate a license or certification is required for the Petitioner's profession or occupation.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was not met because the record does not demonstrate a license or certification is required for the Petitioner's profession or occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_03_B5203; source_row=39353
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years of full-time experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's determination, finding that the submitted evidence reflects work experience beginning only in June 2014, only six years prior to the September 2020 petition filing date, which does not satisfy the ten-year requirement.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO withdrew the Director's determination, finding that the submitted evidence reflects work experience beginning only in June 2014, only six years prior to the September 2020 petition filing date, which does not satisfy the ten-year requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_03_B5203; source_row=39352
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

academic record

academic degree relating to area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's martial arts certificates were not earned from a college, university, school, or other institution of learning as required by the criterion.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's martial arts certificates were not earned from a college, university, school, or other institution of learning as required by the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_03_B5203; source_row=39351
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 concluded the projected direct/indirect jobs (4-31 direct, up to 47 indirect) and revenue/tax figures were not significant relative to a franchising industry contributing $670 billion and employing millions; submitted articles addressed the field generally rather than the specific endeavor; the expert letter did not show how the company would extend beyond its clientele; and government-initiative claims lacked corrobora…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO concluded the projected direct/indirect jobs (4-31 direct, up to 47 indirect) and revenue/tax figures were not significant relative to a franchising industry contributing $670 billion and employing millions; submitted articles addressed the field generally rather than the specific endeavor; the expert letter did not show how the company would extend beyond its clientele; and government-initiative claims lacked corroboration showing impact on the field more broadly.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_05_B5203; source_row=39364
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the evidence did not overcome the Director's denial. The Petitioner on appeal failed to address the Director's conclusion about the letters, the letter of intent to invest post-dated the denial, was non-binding, and raised unresolved questions about continued ownership and control.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed that the evidence did not overcome the Director's denial. The Petitioner on appeal failed to address the Director's conclusion about the letters, the letter of intent to invest post-dated the denial, was non-binding, and raised unresolved questions about continued ownership and control.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_01_B5203; source_row=39341
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's submitted materials addressed the importance of the financial services field generally rather than the national implications of her specific proposed endeavor.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner's submitted materials addressed the importance of the financial services field generally rather than the national implications of her specific proposed endeavor. The business plan projected only modest near-term employment (4 full-time employees in year one) and lacked sufficient details and supporting evidence regarding how she would achieve stated economic impact objectives, what funds were committed, and how her endeavor would substantially impact job creation and economic growth regionally or nationally.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_09_B5203; source_row=39376
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 this criterion was met based on the display/performance of the Petitioner's work.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was met based on the display/performance of the Petitioner's work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_02_B2203; source_row=39346
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

published material about the petitioner

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was met based on published articles about the Petitioner in Armenian newspapers and websites.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was met based on published articles about the Petitioner in Armenian newspapers and websites.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_02_B2203; source_row=39345
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was met based on the Petitioner's participation as a jury member in a painting, recitation, and theatrical art competition.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was met based on the Petitioner's participation as a jury member in a painting, recitation, and theatrical art competition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_02_B2203; source_row=39344
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was met, referencing the Petitioner's two nationally recognized awards.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that this criterion was met, referencing the Petitioner's two nationally recognized awards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-25_02_B2203; source_row=39343
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
Back to assessment