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 38613870

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 agreed the Petitioner failed to establish national importance because she relied primarily on general importance of small businesses and AI rather than specific, corroborated evidence that her particular endeavor would produce substantial positive economic effects. Her conclusory statements and business plan, without independent objective evidence, were insufficient to establish the required national-level impact.

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AAO agreed the Petitioner failed to establish national importance because she relied primarily on general importance of small businesses and AI rather than specific, corroborated evidence that her particular endeavor would produce substantial positive economic effects. Her conclusory statements and business plan, without independent objective evidence, were insufficient to establish the required national-level impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_05_B5203; source_row=39181
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 previously concluded that the record does not establish how the prospective impact of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor rises to the level of national importance rather than only impacting his clients. On motion, no new facts were submitted to overcome this finding.

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 previously concluded that the record does not establish how the prospective impact of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor rises to the level of national importance rather than only impacting his clients. On motion, no new facts were submitted to overcome this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_07_B5203; source_row=39190
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated 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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO did not separately analyze prong 3 on motion, but affirmed that no new facts were submitted to overcome the dismissal of the appeal on all three Dhanasar prongs.

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 did not separately analyze prong 3 on motion, but affirmed that no new facts were submitted to overcome the dismissal of the appeal on all three Dhanasar prongs.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_07_B5203; source_row=39192
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Profession requiring advanced degree (baccalaureate minimum)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the complete BLS Handbook entry and O*NET data indicate that a bachelor's degree is not the minimum requirement for entry into 'facilities manager' positions, and rejected the Petitioner's claim that O*NET lacks government authority.

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AAO found that the complete BLS Handbook entry and O*NET data indicate that a bachelor's degree is not the minimum requirement for entry into 'facilities manager' positions, and rejected the Petitioner's claim that O*NET lacks government authority.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_07_B5203; source_row=39189
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 finds the Petitioner failed to show how his consulting work would have broader implications or substantial economic impact at a level of national importance. The submitted documentation shows only impact on the firm's employees, clients, and business partners.

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 finds the Petitioner failed to show how his consulting work would have broader implications or substantial economic impact at a level of national importance. The submitted documentation shows only impact on the firm's employees, clients, and business partners.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_02_B5203; source_row=39168
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 found that the evidence did not demonstrate broader implications of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor at a level of national importance, and that the Petitioner's employer's economic impact in Florida did not establish his specific endeavor's potential to employ U.S. workers or have a substantial positive economic effect.

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 that the evidence did not demonstrate broader implications of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor at a level of national importance, and that the Petitioner's employer's economic impact in Florida did not establish his specific endeavor's potential to employ U.S. workers or have a substantial positive economic effect.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_01_B5203; source_row=39161
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to fully conduct the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidentiary threshold of three criteria, but noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of the requisite level of expertise.

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AAO declined to fully conduct the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidentiary threshold of three criteria, but noted in dicta that the record does not support a finding of the requisite level of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_01_B2203; source_row=39160
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published materials in major trade/professional publications or major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied criterion (iii) based on the published materials in the record.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied criterion (iii) based on the published materials in the record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_01_B2203; source_row=39158
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

Neither party disputed the Director's finding that criterion (vii) was satisfied; AAO did not revisit it.

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Neither party disputed the Director's finding that criterion (vii) was satisfied; AAO did not revisit it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_03_B2203; source_row=39172
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 of major significance

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusions regarding contributions on appeal, so AAO considers the issue 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 AAO considers the issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_03_B2203; source_row=39171
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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