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

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NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted documentation for PMI and IEEE/PES. However, the Petitioner's IEEE card reads 'society affiliate,' which per IEEE bylaws means he is not an IEEE member. Regarding PMI, the documentation does not demonstrate that a U.S.…

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The Petitioner submitted documentation for PMI and IEEE/PES. However, the Petitioner's IEEE card reads 'society affiliate,' which per IEEE bylaws means he is not an IEEE member. Regarding PMI, the documentation does not demonstrate that a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent is a requirement for membership, which is required for the organization to qualify as a 'professional association' under the regulatory definition of 'profession.'
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-12_07_B5203; source_row=38977
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Letters documenting at least ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found criterion (B) met and AAO did not disturb this finding on appeal.

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The Director found criterion (B) met and AAO did not disturb this finding on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-12_07_B5203; source_row=38974
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Official academic record (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found criterion (A) met and AAO did not disturb this finding on appeal.

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The Director found criterion (A) met and AAO did not disturb this finding on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-12_07_B5203; source_row=38973
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field by peers, governmental entities, or professional or business organizations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted two recommendation letters from former colleagues. While both authors were highly complimentary, neither letter detailed how the Petitioner's contributions amounted to significant contributions to the broader industry or field of project management; they merely described his job duties and performance.

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The Petitioner submitted two recommendation letters from former colleagues. While both authors were highly complimentary, neither letter detailed how the Petitioner's contributions amounted to significant contributions to the broader industry or field of project management; they merely described his job duties and performance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-12_07_B5203; source_row=38978
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

License to practice the profession or certification for a particular profession or occupation (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted PMI membership documentation, but counsel acknowledged PMI membership is not required to practice the occupation. On appeal, the Petitioner asserted PMI membership is highly desired by employers, but neither the assertions nor the record establish that PMI membership is a license to practice or a requirement for employment as a project manager.

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The Petitioner submitted PMI membership documentation, but counsel acknowledged PMI membership is not required to practice the occupation. On appeal, the Petitioner asserted PMI membership is highly desired by employers, but neither the assertions nor the record establish that PMI membership is a license to practice or a requirement for employment as a project manager.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-12_07_B5203; source_row=38975
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

Well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary given the failure to establish EB-2 eligibility.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary given the failure to establish EB-2 eligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-12_07_B5203; source_row=38981
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 industry articles addressed general supply chain and entrepreneurship topics rather than the national importance of the specific proposed endeavor. Recommendation letters spoke to the Petitioner's personal skills and prior work, which relate to the second prong, not national importance.…

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AAO found that the industry articles addressed general supply chain and entrepreneurship topics rather than the national importance of the specific proposed endeavor. Recommendation letters spoke to the Petitioner's personal skills and prior work, which relate to the second prong, not national importance. The business plan's revenue and job projections were uncorroborated and did not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects at a national level. Generalized assertions about professional shortages also failed to establish national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-11_01_B5203; source_row=38899
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed substantial merit was established but found national importance was not. The proposed endeavor of providing physical therapy to individual patients, even with specialized techniques, does not have broader implications in the field.

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AAO agreed substantial merit was established but found national importance was not. The proposed endeavor of providing physical therapy to individual patients, even with specialized techniques, does not have broader implications in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-11_07_B5203; source_row=38933
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 agreed substantial merit was met but found national importance was not established. Evidence of a veterinarian shortage and the mental health crisis goes to the importance of the field generally rather than the specific endeavor, and her plan to 'explore' several possibilities does not show broad impact.

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AAO agreed substantial merit was met but found national importance was not established. Evidence of a veterinarian shortage and the mental health crisis goes to the importance of the field generally rather than the specific endeavor, and her plan to 'explore' several possibilities does not show broad impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-11_08_B5203; source_row=38936
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 in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner failed to provide objective supporting evidence to substantiate circulation data, rankings, or visitation data for online articles, and therefore did not establish that the sources qualify as professional or major trade publications or other major media.

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AAO found that the Petitioner failed to provide objective supporting evidence to substantiate circulation data, rankings, or visitation data for online articles, and therefore did not establish that the sources qualify as professional or major trade publications or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-11_01_B2203; source_row=38896
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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