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 40814090

NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

The AAO did not analyze the second prong, noting only that evidence of the Petitioner's skills, experience, and customer interest relates to the second prong but that the dispositive issue was the first prong's national importance requirement.

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The AAO did not analyze the second prong, noting only that evidence of the Petitioner's skills, experience, and customer interest relates to the second prong but that the dispositive issue was the first prong's national importance requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_13_B5203; source_row=38889
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not assert on appeal that the record satisfies criterion (vi), thereby waiving it.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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The Petitioner did not assert on appeal that the record satisfies criterion (vi), thereby waiving it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_01_B2203; source_row=38822
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not assert on appeal that the record satisfies criterion (vii), thereby waiving it.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not assert on appeal that the record satisfies criterion (vii), thereby waiving it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_01_B2203; source_row=38823
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial successes in the performing arts

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not assert on appeal that the record satisfies criterion (x), thereby waiving it.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not assert on appeal that the record satisfies criterion (x), thereby waiving it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_01_B2203; source_row=38826
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not address this prong in the motion decision, as the motion was dismissed on procedural grounds and prong one was not met.

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 did not address this prong in the motion decision, as the motion was dismissed on procedural grounds and prong one was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_04_B5203; source_row=38859
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated 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 did not address this prong in the motion decision.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not address this prong in the motion decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-10_04_B5203; source_row=38860
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor — providing language translation and teaching services in the Florida area — did not demonstrate broader implications rising to the level of national importance. The business plan's revenue and employment projections were uncorroborated and were not shown to offer substantial positive economic effects at the national level.

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 found that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor — providing language translation and teaching services in the Florida area — did not demonstrate broader implications rising to the level of national importance. The business plan's revenue and employment projections were uncorroborated and were not shown to offer substantial positive economic effects at the national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_04_B5203; source_row=38785
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but concluded the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance because impact would not extend beyond her company and clientele, projections were unsupported, and shortage/industry-level claims do not establish endeavor-specific national importance.

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 endeavor has substantial merit but concluded the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance because impact would not extend beyond her company and clientele, projections were unsupported, and shortage/industry-level claims do not establish endeavor-specific national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_02_B5203; source_row=38779
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 the endeavor had substantial merit but lacked demonstrated national importance. The Petitioner's program plan lacked detail about how the project would expand beyond Florida schools to achieve national impact, and the expert and recommendation letters did not explain how the program would have broader national implications or reach.

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 endeavor had substantial merit but lacked demonstrated national importance. The Petitioner's program plan lacked detail about how the project would expand beyond Florida schools to achieve national impact, and the expert and recommendation letters did not explain how the program would have broader national implications or reach.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_03_B5203; source_row=38782
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 reserved the question of substantial merit but found national importance not established. The Petitioner's specific endeavor would not extend beyond her own clientele to impact the dance industry broadly, her projected employment and revenue figures are a negligible share of the national industry, and her projections lack supporting details.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved the question of substantial merit but found national importance not established. The Petitioner's specific endeavor would not extend beyond her own clientele to impact the dance industry broadly, her projected employment and revenue figures are a negligible share of the national industry, and her projections lack supporting details.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_09_B5203; source_row=38807
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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