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 40614070

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong two as the first-prong determination was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach prong two as the first-prong determination was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_08_B5203; source_row=38868
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner met this criterion based on her display of work at artistic exhibitions.

Why this is useful

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner met this criterion based on her display of work at artistic exhibitions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_04_B2203; source_row=38855
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others in the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner met this criterion based on her judging roles.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner met this criterion based on her judging roles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_04_B2203; source_row=38853
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 explicitly declined to fully address the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the step-1 threshold, though it noted in passing that the record did not support the requisite level of expertise.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly declined to fully address the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the step-1 threshold, though it noted in passing that the record did not support the requisite level of expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_04_B2203; source_row=38857
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not address or contest the Director's conclusion on this criterion on appeal, so the AAO deemed it waived.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not address or contest the Director's conclusion on this criterion on appeal, so the AAO deemed it waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_04_B2203; source_row=38856
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 with the Director that the Petitioner's evidence failed to demonstrate prospective national-level impact. The business plan, reference and expert letters, and online publications did not address her specific proposed undertaking. She also failed to show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's evidence failed to demonstrate prospective national-level impact. The business plan, reference and expert letters, and online publications did not address her specific proposed undertaking. She also failed to show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_02_B5203; source_row=38839
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the second Dhanasar prong, reserving it as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the Petitioner was already ineligible based on failure to establish national importance.

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 explicitly declined to reach the second Dhanasar prong, reserving it as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the Petitioner was already ineligible based on failure to establish national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_02_B5203; source_row=38840
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 the United States

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the third Dhanasar prong, reserving it as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the Petitioner was already ineligible based on failure to establish national importance.

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 explicitly declined to reach the third Dhanasar prong, reserving it as unnecessary to the ultimate decision because the Petitioner was already ineligible based on failure to establish national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_02_B5203; source_row=38841
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the proposed endeavor appeared limited to the Petitioner's current position as a data programmer analyst at his current employer, with impact limited to that employer and its patients. The Petitioner's evidence of economic effects was too general to show substantial positive economic impact, and his citation count of 48 was not placed in context showing it exceeded field norms.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO agreed the proposed endeavor appeared limited to the Petitioner's current position as a data programmer analyst at his current employer, with impact limited to that employer and its patients. The Petitioner's evidence of economic effects was too general to show substantial positive economic impact, and his citation count of 48 was not placed in context showing it exceeded field norms. The supporting letters addressed past work rather than the proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_01_B5203; source_row=38828
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the merits of this criterion because the Director's decision lacked sufficient explanation and the matter is being remanded.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not reach the merits of this criterion because the Director's decision lacked sufficient explanation and the matter is being remanded.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_02_B2203; source_row=38831
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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