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 39113920

NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

salary or other renumeration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding or submit related documentation, so AAO concurred the criterion was not met.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding or submit related documentation, so AAO concurred the criterion was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_14_B5203; source_row=39152
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

exceptional ability qualification

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this issue because the Petitioner failed to establish national importance under Dhanasar prong one, making any ruling on exceptional ability qualification unnecessary to the ultimate decision.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach this issue because the Petitioner failed to establish national importance under Dhanasar prong one, making any ruling on exceptional ability qualification unnecessary to the ultimate decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_03_B5203; source_row=39108
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO acknowledged the merit of special needs and bilingual education but found the Petitioner failed to show her specific endeavor would have broader national or global implications. Teacher shortages do not make an endeavor nationally important under Dhanasar, and the Petitioner's racial diversity contribution would not extend beyond her own school.…

Why this is useful

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AAO acknowledged the merit of special needs and bilingual education but found the Petitioner failed to show her specific endeavor would have broader national or global implications. Teacher shortages do not make an endeavor nationally important under Dhanasar, and the Petitioner's racial diversity contribution would not extend beyond her own school. The Petitioner also did not allege positive economic effects or significant potential to employ U.S. workers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_03_B5203; source_row=39109
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to analyze the third prong because failure on the first prong is dispositive and further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.

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 declined to analyze the third prong because failure on the first prong is dispositive and further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_03_B5203; source_row=39111
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to analyze the second prong because failure on the first prong is dispositive and further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.

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 declined to analyze the second prong because failure on the first prong is dispositive and further analysis would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_03_B5203; source_row=39110
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 job offer and labor certification

What the decision said

AAO reserved the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prongs one and two, making a finding on prong three unnecessary to the result.

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 reserved the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prongs one and two, making a finding on prong three unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_06_B5203; source_row=39117
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

at least ten years of full-time experience (employer letters)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the employment records showed only five to six years of service, inconsistent with one employer letter claiming over eight years, and neither figure reached the ten-year minimum. The new letter from a former colleague did not supply employer verification of dates. The Petitioner also failed to acknowledge on appeal that the criterion requires ten years, not five.

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AAO found that the employment records showed only five to six years of service, inconsistent with one employer letter claiming over eight years, and neither figure reached the ten-year minimum. The new letter from a former colleague did not supply employer verification of dates. The Petitioner also failed to acknowledge on appeal that the criterion requires ten years, not five.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_09_B5203; source_row=39126
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

academic record (degree, diploma, certificate)

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner meets this criterion through her police administrator title from her academic institution.

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AAO found the Petitioner meets this criterion through her police administrator title from her academic institution.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_09_B5203; source_row=39125
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions by peers, governmental entities, or professional organizations

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner had already failed to meet two of the three claimed criteria and could not satisfy the requisite minimum of three regardless of the outcome on this criterion.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner had already failed to meet two of the three claimed criteria and could not satisfy the requisite minimum of three regardless of the outcome on this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_09_B5203; source_row=39127
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

EB-2 categorical eligibility (advanced degree or exceptional ability)

What the decision said

AAO withdrew the Director's categorical ineligibility finding because the Director failed to seek evidence on advanced degree eligibility, and the record was ambiguous as to the length of the degree program. Since the Dhanasar analysis was dispositive, AAO reserved full analysis for future proceedings.

Why this is useful

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AAO withdrew the Director's categorical ineligibility finding because the Director failed to seek evidence on advanced degree eligibility, and the record was ambiguous as to the length of the degree program. Since the Dhanasar analysis was dispositive, AAO reserved full analysis for future proceedings.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_01_B5203; source_row=39086
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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