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 38413850

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 expressly reserved judgment on the second prong because the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO expressly reserved judgment on the second prong because the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_06_B5203; source_row=39232
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 expressly reserved judgment on the third prong because the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

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 expressly reserved judgment on the third prong because the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_06_B5203; source_row=39233
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record showing degree, diploma, or certificate relating to area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO declined to consider new evidence submitted for the first time on appeal under Matter of Soriano. Even if considered, the Petitioner failed to explain how a general high school equivalency diploma relates to his claimed area of exceptional ability, and the GED was obtained after the petition filing date.

Why this is useful

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The AAO declined to consider new evidence submitted for the first time on appeal under Matter of Soriano. Even if considered, the Petitioner failed to explain how a general high school equivalency diploma relates to his claimed area of exceptional ability, and the GED was obtained after the petition filing date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_02_B5203; source_row=39211
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed that neither employer letter contained sufficient detail to show at least ten years of experience in the occupation sought. Work descriptions after 2015 appeared to relate more to administrative, financial, and HR duties rather than the proposed robotics development endeavor.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO agreed that neither employer letter contained sufficient detail to show at least ten years of experience in the occupation sought. Work descriptions after 2015 appeared to relate more to administrative, financial, and HR duties rather than the proposed robotics development endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_02_B5203; source_row=39212
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO noted that factors relating to a petitioner's qualifications, experience, or educational credentials relate to the second Dhanasar prong, but did not separately adjudicate this prong because the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO noted that factors relating to a petitioner's qualifications, experience, or educational credentials relate to the second Dhanasar prong, but did not separately adjudicate this prong because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_03_B5203; source_row=39220
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 declines to address whether it agrees with the Director's prong-2 finding because the prong-1 determination is dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declines to address whether it agrees with the Director's prong-2 finding because the prong-1 determination is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_08_B5203; source_row=39238
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the Dhanasar prongs because the underlying EB-2 ineligibility was dispositive.

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 declined to reach the Dhanasar prongs because the underlying EB-2 ineligibility was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_01_B5203; source_row=39208
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

initial evidentiary criteria (three of six)

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted that the Petitioner met the initial three-criterion threshold and declined to address additional criteria.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO accepted that the Petitioner met the initial three-criterion threshold and declined to address additional criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_01_B5203; source_row=39206
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO's prior decision found this criterion met; not at issue on motion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO's prior decision found this criterion met; not at issue on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_10_B5203; source_row=39241
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The I-G-R- letter praises the Petitioner's skills on a single series but does not document significant contributions to the broader audiovisual industry. Awards received by productions he worked on were given in categories (e.g., best director, best actress) that do not include the Petitioner, and he submitted no nominations or awards in his own name.

Why this is useful

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

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The I-G-R- letter praises the Petitioner's skills on a single series but does not document significant contributions to the broader audiovisual industry. Awards received by productions he worked on were given in categories (e.g., best director, best actress) that do not include the Petitioner, and he submitted no nominations or awards in his own name.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-19_10_B5203; source_row=39243
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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