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 41114120

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's assertions about broader industry impact were conclusory and unsupported; training course projections were unsubstantiated and did not show broader field implications; claimed alignment with federal initiatives was not supported by evidence showing how the specific endeavor would contribute; and economic and employment projections lacked explanation and did not rise to national importance.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's assertions about broader industry impact were conclusory and unsupported; training course projections were unsubstantiated and did not show broader field implications; claimed alignment with federal initiatives was not supported by evidence showing how the specific endeavor would contribute; and economic and employment projections lacked explanation and did not rise to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_16_B5203; source_row=38755
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO independently reviewed EDGE and found it does not support the evaluator's equivalency claim; the Licenciado en Derecho corresponds to a bachelor's degree, not a Juris Doctor. The Petitioner's employment letters also failed to satisfy the regulatory requirements to establish five years of progressive experience. Nonetheless, AAO declined to dismiss on this basis because the Petitioner lacked notice.

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AAO independently reviewed EDGE and found it does not support the evaluator's equivalency claim; the Licenciado en Derecho corresponds to a bachelor's degree, not a Juris Doctor. The Petitioner's employment letters also failed to satisfy the regulatory requirements to establish five years of progressive experience. Nonetheless, AAO declined to dismiss on this basis because the Petitioner lacked notice.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_13_B5203; source_row=38744
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 found the Petitioner addressed the national importance of dentistry as a field rather than the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor. Her evidence did not show how her dental services would extend beyond her prospective clinics or patients to impact the industry or U.S.…

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AAO found the Petitioner addressed the national importance of dentistry as a field rather than the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor. Her evidence did not show how her dental services would extend beyond her prospective clinics or patients to impact the industry or U.S. economy at a nationally important level, and she provided no financial analysis, staffing projections, or other evidence of economic impact from her initial proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_15_B5203; source_row=38752
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence did not establish PAMA as a professional association as contemplated by the regulation, noting the Petitioner did not address this determination on appeal.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence did not establish PAMA as a professional association as contemplated by the regulation, noting the Petitioner did not address this determination on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_06_B5203; source_row=38725
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 finds the new evidence and arguments do not show national importance; generalized statements about industry-wide impact and speculative future career paths do not establish that this Petitioner's specific endeavor has broader implications under Dhanasar.

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AAO finds the new evidence and arguments do not show national importance; generalized statements about industry-wide impact and speculative future career paths do not establish that this Petitioner's specific endeavor has broader implications under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_05_B5203; source_row=38721
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 concluded the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance because the evidence did not show broader implications for the hospice/palliative care field or substantial positive economic effects beyond a localized patient population.

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AAO concluded the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance because the evidence did not show broader implications for the hospice/palliative care field or substantial positive economic effects beyond a localized patient population.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_03_B5203; source_row=38713
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

On balance, beneficial to waive job offer and labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's arguments on motion did not directly address whether, on balance, it would be in the best interest of the United States to waive the requirements.

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The Petitioner's arguments on motion did not directly address whether, on balance, it would be in the best interest of the United States to waive the requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_04_B5203; source_row=38720
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Three of six exceptional ability criteria

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's reliance on Caron is inapplicable because that case analyzed a now-repealed non-immigrant provision, not EB-2 exceptional ability criteria. The Petitioner failed to engage with AAO's prior regulatory analysis.

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The Petitioner's reliance on Caron is inapplicable because that case analyzed a now-repealed non-immigrant provision, not EB-2 exceptional ability criteria. The Petitioner failed to engage with AAO's prior regulatory analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_04_B5203; source_row=38717
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

The contract was executed after the petition was filed and cannot be considered. The remaining evidence about returning the club to profitability does not demonstrate the significant cultural, economic, or social impacts required for national importance.

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The contract was executed after the petition was filed and cannot be considered. The remaining evidence about returning the club to profitability does not demonstrate the significant cultural, economic, or social impacts required for national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_04_B5203; source_row=38718
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 with the Director that national importance was not established, and on motion the Petitioner provided no additional argument or legal support to show the prior decision was incorrectly decided.

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AAO agreed with the Director that national importance was not established, and on motion the Petitioner provided no additional argument or legal support to show the prior decision was incorrectly decided.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_02_B5203; source_row=38710
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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