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 39613970

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO consulted the AACRAO EDGE database and found that the Brazilian titulo de medico after six years of professional study is equivalent to a U.S. M.D. degree, which constitutes an advanced degree, and withdrew the Director's contrary finding.

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AAO consulted the AACRAO EDGE database and found that the Brazilian titulo de medico after six years of professional study is equivalent to a U.S. M.D. degree, which constitutes an advanced degree, and withdrew the Director's contrary finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_04_B5203; source_row=39045
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under prong one 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 declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under prong one was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_01_B5203; source_row=39027
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under prong one was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under prong one was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_01_B5203; source_row=39028
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner's proposed activities were merely typical occupational duties of an industrial engineer amounting to a job search, and that the evidence—including the expert opinion letter and cited national initiatives—failed to demonstrate that the specific proposed endeavor had implications extending beyond his employers or clientele to the national level.…

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's proposed activities were merely typical occupational duties of an industrial engineer amounting to a job search, and that the evidence—including the expert opinion letter and cited national initiatives—failed to demonstrate that the specific proposed endeavor had implications extending beyond his employers or clientele to the national level. The Petitioner did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_07_B5203; source_row=39056
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the national importance component of the first prong, making a determination on the second prong unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the national importance component of the first prong, making a determination on the second prong unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_10_B5203; source_row=39063
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the national importance component of the first prong, making a determination on the third prong unnecessary.

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 reach the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the national importance component of the first prong, making a determination on the third prong unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_10_B5203; source_row=39064
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed the Director's conclusion, additionally noting that the 2023 earnings data post-dates the October 2021 filing and therefore does not establish eligibility at the time of filing.

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AAO affirmed the Director's conclusion, additionally noting that the 2023 earnings data post-dates the October 2021 filing and therefore does not establish eligibility at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_01_B2203; source_row=39025
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

performance in a leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO affirmed that this criterion was met, as the Director determined.

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AAO affirmed that this criterion was met, as the Director determined.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_01_B2203; source_row=39023
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed the Director's conclusions, finding the Petitioner has not overcome the identified deficiencies under this criterion.

Why this is useful

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AAO affirmed the Director's conclusions, finding the Petitioner has not overcome the identified deficiencies under this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_01_B2203; source_row=39018
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner in trade publications or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed, additionally noting that 118K Instagram followers does not demonstrate the significance or relevance of that number to establish the major status of the website.

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AAO affirmed, additionally noting that 118K Instagram followers does not demonstrate the significance or relevance of that number to establish the major status of the website.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-16_01_B2203; source_row=39019
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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