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 40914100

EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The testimonial letters praised the Petitioner's skills but did not explain specific contributions of major significance or how her work impacted the field broadly. Opening a yoga studio and implementing teaching methods does not rise to the level of major significance in the overall field.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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The testimonial letters praised the Petitioner's skills but did not explain specific contributions of major significance or how her work impacted the field broadly. Opening a yoga studio and implementing teaching methods does not rise to the level of major significance in the overall field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_02_B2203; source_row=38776
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not establish that her article constitutes a 'scholarly article' or that its intended audience was learned persons in the field. Additionally, the Khabar 24 website was not shown to be a professional or major trade publication or other major media.

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 establish that her article constitutes a 'scholarly article' or that its intended audience was learned persons in the field. Additionally, the Khabar 24 website was not shown to be a professional or major trade publication or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_02_B2203; source_row=38775
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

memberships

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although AAO disagreed with the Director that a proper translation certificate was lacking (one had been submitted), the membership regulations showed that membership is available to any individual paying fees and meeting threshold requirements, not based on outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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Although AAO disagreed with the Director that a proper translation certificate was lacking (one had been submitted), the membership regulations showed that membership is available to any individual paying fees and meeting threshold requirements, not based on outstanding achievements judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_02_B2203; source_row=38773
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published materials

Why AAO was not persuaded

Both articles lacked author information, Wikipedia documentation about Khabar 24 was accorded no evidentiary weight, and counsel's assertions about site traffic were unsubstantiated by objective documentary evidence or comparative circulation statistics.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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Both articles lacked author information, Wikipedia documentation about Khabar 24 was accorded no evidentiary weight, and counsel's assertions about site traffic were unsubstantiated by objective documentary evidence or comparative circulation statistics.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_02_B2203; source_row=38774
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

Substantial merit is established, but the Petitioner failed to show his pilot/flight instruction/cargo endeavor would have prospective impact extending beyond his company and clientele to his field, the American aviation industry, or the U.S. economy at a level commensurate with national importance. Claims of addressing pilot shortages and economic multiplier effects were unsupported.

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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Substantial merit is established, but the Petitioner failed to show his pilot/flight instruction/cargo endeavor would have prospective impact extending beyond his company and clientele to his field, the American aviation industry, or the U.S. economy at a level commensurate with national importance. Claims of addressing pilot shortages and economic multiplier effects were unsupported.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_10_B5203; source_row=38810
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 concludes the Petitioner showed only the importance of the aviation industry generally, conflated prong-2 skills with prong-1 endeavor importance, and failed to demonstrate broader prospective impact, job creation, 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 concludes the Petitioner showed only the importance of the aviation industry generally, conflated prong-2 skills with prong-1 endeavor importance, and failed to demonstrate broader prospective impact, job creation, or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_07_B5203; source_row=38797
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Exceptional ability eligibility criteria

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner raised the exceptional ability claim for the first time on appeal; because appellate bodies do not consider new claims, these arguments will not be considered. The record supports the Director's conclusion that no exceptional ability criteria were discussed or claimed prior to appeal.

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The Petitioner raised the exceptional ability claim for the first time on appeal; because appellate bodies do not consider new claims, these arguments will not be considered. The record supports the Director's conclusion that no exceptional ability criteria were discussed or claimed prior to appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_05_B5203; source_row=38789
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the general industry reports did not address the specific endeavor's prospective national impact, the business plan's revenue and job projections lacked objective evidentiary support, and the Petitioner's claims about economic contributions were speculative.…

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 general industry reports did not address the specific endeavor's prospective national impact, the business plan's revenue and job projections lacked objective evidentiary support, and the Petitioner's claims about economic contributions were speculative. Operating a financial and tax consultancy for small businesses did not rise to the level of 'substantial positive economic effects' contemplated by Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_11_B5203; source_row=38813
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 declined to address whether it agreed with the Director's favorable second-prong finding because the first-prong failure 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 address whether it agreed with the Director's favorable second-prong finding because the first-prong failure was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_02_B5203; source_row=38780
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years of full-time experience

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and the Petitioner agreed this criterion was met; the Petitioner's appeal argument on this criterion was moot because the Director already credited it.

Why this is useful

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Both the Director and the Petitioner agreed this criterion was met; the Petitioner's appeal argument on this criterion was moot because the Director already credited it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-09_01_B5203; source_row=38764
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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