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 38013810

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

The AAO reserved the second prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary. However, the AAO noted disagreement with the Director's unsupported finding and flagged that the Petitioner's failure on prong two is an additional ground for ineligibility for future proceedings.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO reserved the second prong because the Petitioner failed the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary. However, the AAO noted disagreement with the Director's unsupported finding and flagged that the Petitioner's failure on prong two is an additional ground for ineligibility for future proceedings.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_06_B5203; source_row=39290
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years of progressive experience in the specialty (equivalent to master's degree)

Why AAO was not persuaded

Each of the letters provided includes only general details without specific dates or duties. Articles of incorporation also lack specificity. Training certificates do not account for five years of experience. A self-reported resume without corroboration is insufficient to meet the preponderance standard.

Why this is useful

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

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Each of the letters provided includes only general details without specific dates or duties. Articles of incorporation also lack specificity. Training certificates do not account for five years of experience. A self-reported resume without corroboration is insufficient to meet the preponderance standard.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_04_B5203; source_row=39282
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declines to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong is dispositive, citing Bagamasbad.

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 declines to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong is dispositive, citing Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_05_B5203; source_row=39288
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declines to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong is dispositive, citing Bagamasbad.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declines to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong is dispositive, citing Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_05_B5203; source_row=39287
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Salary commensurate with exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue because it was affirming the Director's final merits determination, making a decision on the salary criterion unnecessary to the outcome.

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 it was affirming the Director's final merits determination, making a decision on the salary criterion unnecessary to the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_01_B5203; source_row=39270
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserves the third prong as unnecessary given the first-prong failure.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO reserves the third prong as unnecessary given the first-prong failure.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_02_B5203; source_row=39278
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 adopts and affirms the Director's national-importance conclusion, finding the professional plan fails to show how the endeavor would impact the broader mining industry beyond the Petitioner's direct clients, with no projections of market impact or job creation. AAO acknowledges that some of the Director's third-prong language seemed out of place but explains it as part of a balancing test rather than a contradiction.

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 adopts and affirms the Director's national-importance conclusion, finding the professional plan fails to show how the endeavor would impact the broader mining industry beyond the Petitioner's direct clients, with no projections of market impact or job creation. AAO acknowledges that some of the Director's third-prong language seemed out of place but explains it as part of a balancing test rather than a contradiction.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_02_B5203; source_row=39276
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declines to reach the second prong because the first-prong failure is dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declines to reach the second prong because the first-prong failure is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_02_B5203; source_row=39277
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner had already established three other criteria, making the awards analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner had already established three other criteria, making the awards analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=39272
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that letters and supporting evidence sufficiently showed the Beneficiary's programming innovations (real-time physics-based bone system, continuous collision detection camera system, and asset streaming) significantly influenced the video game industry as a whole.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that letters and supporting evidence sufficiently showed the Beneficiary's programming innovations (real-time physics-based bone system, continuous collision detection camera system, and asset streaming) significantly influenced the video game industry as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-23_02_B2203; source_row=39273
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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