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 37813790

NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

new facts supported by documentary evidence

Why AAO was not persuaded

The new evidence did not establish that AAO erred in finding the endeavor lacked national importance and did not have the potential to change the outcome.

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The new evidence did not establish that AAO erred in finding the endeavor lacked national importance and did not have the potential to change the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_01_B5203; source_row=39302
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high remuneration for services

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not pursue this claim on appeal and therefore the AAO considered the issue abandoned.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not pursue this claim on appeal and therefore the AAO considered the issue abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_01_B2203; source_row=39300
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion, finding that the submitted evidence—including the Petitioner being singled out among a few artists in a major publication—met the plain language of this criterion.

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The AAO withdrew the Director's conclusion, finding that the submitted evidence—including the Petitioner being singled out among a few artists in a major publication—met the plain language of this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_01_B2203; source_row=39296
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

The AAO agreed with the Director and did not disturb this determination.

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The AAO agreed with the Director and did not disturb this determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_01_B2203; source_row=39298
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's claimed employment covered less than nine-and-a-half years total, some letters were unsigned and thus had diminished probative value, and the letters did not consistently confirm full-time employment. Additionally, experience as a sales representative for a health/hygiene/home products company was not shown to be in the 'occupation sought' of real estate broker and sales agent.

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The Petitioner's claimed employment covered less than nine-and-a-half years total, some letters were unsigned and thus had diminished probative value, and the letters did not consistently confirm full-time employment. Additionally, experience as a sales representative for a health/hygiene/home products company was not shown to be in the 'occupation sought' of real estate broker and sales agent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_08_B5203; source_row=39328
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination (exceptional ability)

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed to meet at least three evidentiary criteria, AAO did not conduct a final merits analysis.

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Because the Petitioner failed to meet at least three evidentiary criteria, AAO did not conduct a final merits analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_08_B5203; source_row=39332
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

criteria E and F (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E)-(F))

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not assert error in the Director's conclusions regarding criteria E and F, nor did she claim to meet these criteria on appeal; AAO therefore considered the issue waived.

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The Petitioner did not assert error in the Director's conclusions regarding criteria E and F, nor did she claim to meet these criteria on appeal; AAO therefore considered the issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_08_B5203; source_row=39331
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license to practice the profession or certification for an occupation (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the real estate broker and sales agent occupation does not require a baccalaureate degree as the minimum for entry, it does not qualify as a 'profession' under the regulation. The Petitioner's salesperson license is therefore not a license 'to practice a profession,' and she has not shown a salesperson license constitutes a 'certification' for an occupation.

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Because the real estate broker and sales agent occupation does not require a baccalaureate degree as the minimum for entry, it does not qualify as a 'profession' under the regulation. The Petitioner's salesperson license is therefore not a license 'to practice a profession,' and she has not shown a salesperson license constitutes a 'certification' for an occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_08_B5203; source_row=39329
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed the prior dismissal's finding that the Petitioner did not establish the first Dhanasar prong, and found the new evidence and changed proposed endeavor did not constitute new facts sufficient to reopen the prior decision.

Why this is useful

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AAO affirmed the prior dismissal's finding that the Petitioner did not establish the first Dhanasar prong, and found the new evidence and changed proposed endeavor did not constitute new facts sufficient to reopen the prior decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_03_B5203; source_row=39312
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not show her endeavor would have an impact beyond her patients and trainees, did not demonstrate a significant impact on the nursing shortage, and the new expanded plan lacked implementation specifics and may constitute an impermissible material change.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Petitioner did not show her endeavor would have an impact beyond her patients and trainees, did not demonstrate a significant impact on the nursing shortage, and the new expanded plan lacked implementation specifics and may constitute an impermissible material change.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-24_05_B5203; source_row=39318
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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