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 39213930

EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published materials in major trade or professional publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Director found deficiencies in this criterion and AAO agreed overall, noting the criterion was not established.

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The Director found deficiencies in this criterion and AAO agreed overall, noting the criterion was not established.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_02_B2203; source_row=39089
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

substantial prospective benefit to the United States

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner's plans to continue scientific work on firearm crime investigation and gunshot wound surgical protocols were found sufficiently detailed to demonstrate substantial prospective benefit to the United States.

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The Petitioner's plans to continue scientific work on firearm crime investigation and gunshot wound surgical protocols were found sufficiently detailed to demonstrate substantial prospective benefit to the United States.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_03_B2203; source_row=39106
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner authored scholarly articles published in professional publications, including articles in Medicni Perspektivi and Journal of Education, Health and Sport, satisfying the scholarly articles criterion.

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The Petitioner authored scholarly articles published in professional publications, including articles in Medicni Perspektivi and Journal of Education, Health and Sport, satisfying the scholarly articles criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_03_B2203; source_row=39102
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner served as deputy editor-in-chief of a scientific journal and peer reviewed three manuscripts between 2022 and 2023, satisfying the judging criterion.

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The Petitioner served as deputy editor-in-chief of a scientific journal and peer reviewed three manuscripts between 2022 and 2023, satisfying the judging criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_03_B2203; source_row=39100
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license to practice the profession or certification for a particular profession or occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the 20 certifications and course completion certificates were not shown to be prerequisites for the architecture, implementation, and automation design of cloud solutions, nor for the ownership and operation of the proposed IT consulting entity. The record did not demonstrate how the certifications relate to the overarching duties of the Petitioner's profession.

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AAO found the 20 certifications and course completion certificates were not shown to be prerequisites for the architecture, implementation, and automation design of cloud solutions, nor for the ownership and operation of the proposed IT consulting entity. The record did not demonstrate how the certifications relate to the overarching duties of the Petitioner's profession.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_12_B5203; source_row=39140
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record showing a degree or similar award

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner submitted sufficient evidence in the form of an official academic record showing a degree or similar award related to the area of exceptional ability.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner submitted sufficient evidence in the form of an official academic record showing a degree or similar award related to the area of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_12_B5203; source_row=39138
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

at least ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner submitted sufficient evidence demonstrating at least ten years of full-time experience in the relevant occupation.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner submitted sufficient evidence demonstrating at least ten years of full-time experience in the relevant occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_12_B5203; source_row=39139
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the letters merely described work assignments and corporate objectives rather than achievements significantly above those ordinarily encountered in the field; awards appeared to be institutional recognitions for exceeding employer expectations rather than field-level exceptional contributions; and seminar participation did not demonstrate that selection was based on achievements or significant contributions not or…

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AAO found the letters merely described work assignments and corporate objectives rather than achievements significantly above those ordinarily encountered in the field; awards appeared to be institutional recognitions for exceeding employer expectations rather than field-level exceptional contributions; and seminar participation did not demonstrate that selection was based on achievements or significant contributions not ordinarily encountered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-17_12_B5203; source_row=39143
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the Petitioner's evidence focused on the importance of the financial consulting industry generally rather than the specific proposed endeavor's prospective impact.…

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The AAO found that the Petitioner's evidence focused on the importance of the financial consulting industry generally rather than the specific proposed endeavor's prospective impact. Business projections lacked corroborating independent evidence, job creation and tax payment projections did not rise to the level of national importance, and the opinion letter merely restated business plan projections without providing a credible basis for them. Alignment with government initiatives like the America Rescue Plan did not establish the national importance of the Petitioner's specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_13_B5203; source_row=39077
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to establish that the award criterion does not readily apply to gymnastics coaches, as required under current USCIS policy for comparable evidence. Two expert witnesses themselves claimed to have won 'Coach of the Year' awards, and the Petitioner did not demonstrate the unavailability of such awards for gymnastics coaches in Kazakhstan.

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to establish that the award criterion does not readily apply to gymnastics coaches, as required under current USCIS policy for comparable evidence. Two expert witnesses themselves claimed to have won 'Coach of the Year' awards, and the Petitioner did not demonstrate the unavailability of such awards for gymnastics coaches in Kazakhstan.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_03_B2203; source_row=39037
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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