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 38713880

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO did not need to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed step one, but noted that the aggregate record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is at the very top of his field.

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AAO did not need to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed step one, but noted that the aggregate record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner is at the very top of his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_03_B2203; source_row=39174
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the individual in professional or major media

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusions regarding published material on appeal, so AAO considers the issue waived.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusions regarding published material on appeal, so AAO considers the issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_03_B2203; source_row=39170
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 noted that the Petitioner's professional experience and knowledge relate primarily to this prong but are insufficient to satisfy the overall Dhanasar analysis. No new facts were submitted on motion.

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AAO noted that the Petitioner's professional experience and knowledge relate primarily to this prong but are insufficient to satisfy the overall Dhanasar analysis. No new facts were submitted on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_07_B5203; source_row=39191
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor in resilient systems and computational mechanics has substantial merit and national importance.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor in resilient systems and computational mechanics has substantial merit and national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_10_B5203; source_row=39199
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO withdrew the Director's adverse finding, concluding that the Petitioner's two STEM master's degrees, peer-reviewed publications, citation record, peer review activity, recommendation letters, and NSF-supported research demonstrate he is well-positioned to advance his endeavor.

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AAO withdrew the Director's adverse finding, concluding that the Petitioner's two STEM master's degrees, peer-reviewed publications, citation record, peer review activity, recommendation letters, and NSF-supported research demonstrate he is well-positioned to advance his endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_10_B5203; source_row=39200
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO withdrew the Director's third-prong finding, concluding the Petitioner's two advanced STEM degrees, published research, peer review, plan with progress, and support from national academic members make the waiver beneficial on balance.

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AAO withdrew the Director's third-prong finding, concluding the Petitioner's two advanced STEM degrees, published research, peer review, plan with progress, and support from national academic members make the waiver beneficial on balance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_10_B5203; source_row=39201
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

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 the third prong as unnecessary to the outcome given failure on the first prong.

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AAO expressly reserved the third prong as unnecessary to the outcome given failure on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_08_B5203; source_row=39195
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO expressly reserved the second prong as unnecessary to the outcome given failure on the first prong.

Why this is useful

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AAO expressly reserved the second prong as unnecessary to the outcome given failure on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_08_B5203; source_row=39194
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's evidence of industry growth and general claims of economic benefit were insufficient; she did not identify specific consulting engagements or a direct evidentiary link between her consulting services and a measurable impact on the HR field, the broader economy, or underutilized business communities. Internal contradictions in job creation numbers and ownership structure further undermined her claims.

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The Petitioner's evidence of industry growth and general claims of economic benefit were insufficient; she did not identify specific consulting engagements or a direct evidentiary link between her consulting services and a measurable impact on the HR field, the broader economy, or underutilized business communities. Internal contradictions in job creation numbers and ownership structure further undermined her claims.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_09_B5203; source_row=39196
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary to the result given its dispositive ruling on prong 1.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary to the result given its dispositive ruling on prong 1.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-18_03_B5203; source_row=39177
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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