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 41314140

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO expressly declined to reach the second prong because the first prong failure was dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO expressly declined to reach the second prong because the first prong failure was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_16_B5203; source_row=38756
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not show how his consulting business would have broader national-level impact beyond individual clients. The submitted articles addressed the field generally rather than the specific endeavor's prospective national impact.…

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AAO found the Petitioner did not show how his consulting business would have broader national-level impact beyond individual clients. The submitted articles addressed the field generally rather than the specific endeavor's prospective national impact. The business plan's projections of 10 employees and modest sales figures did not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects at the national level, and the Petitioner's generalized assertions were unsupported by probative evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_13_B5203; source_row=38745
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 Petitioner's generalized statements, articles discussing logistics and CFO roles broadly, government reports unrelated to her specific endeavor, an unexplained personal statement conflating field importance with endeavor importance, and two expert letters that similarly conflated field importance with the specific endeavor's importance all failed to show how her CFO role at one consulting company would ha…

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AAO found that the Petitioner's generalized statements, articles discussing logistics and CFO roles broadly, government reports unrelated to her specific endeavor, an unexplained personal statement conflating field importance with endeavor importance, and two expert letters that similarly conflated field importance with the specific endeavor's importance all failed to show how her CFO role at one consulting company would have nationally important broader implications. The unsupported business plan projecting only 13 jobs and $120,905 net profit by year five also failed to demonstrate substantial positive economic effects at a national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_12_B5203; source_row=38741
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years of progressive experience in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The new letter still provided only job title and dates of employment, not duty descriptions, which are required under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1). The recommendation letters on motion addressed only the Petitioner's current role and general demeanor.

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The new letter still provided only job title and dates of employment, not duty descriptions, which are required under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1). The recommendation letters on motion addressed only the Petitioner's current role and general demeanor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_04_B5203; source_row=38716
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

Well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record does not sufficiently link the Petitioner's educational credential in media arts with general management duties. The new recommendation letters do not detail his prior work history, industry recognition, or significant contributions to management.

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The record does not sufficiently link the Petitioner's educational credential in media arts with general management duties. The new recommendation letters do not detail his prior work history, industry recognition, or significant contributions to management.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_04_B5203; source_row=38719
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO's prior appeal decision focused on national importance (prong 1) and the EB-2 threshold issue; the motion decision does not separately address prong 2 beyond recounting the Director's denial grounds.

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AAO's prior appeal decision focused on national importance (prong 1) and the EB-2 threshold issue; the motion decision does not separately address prong 2 beyond recounting the Director's denial grounds.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_02_B5203; source_row=38711
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO's decision on motion does not separately address prong 3; the dispositive finding was on national importance (prong 1) and the EB-2 threshold.

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AAO's decision on motion does not separately address prong 3; the dispositive finding was on national importance (prong 1) and the EB-2 threshold.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_02_B5203; source_row=38712
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding on appeal, holding the evidence was insufficient to show five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience. On motion, the Petitioner's resubmitted letter was already evaluated on appeal and found deficient; the letter author's objectivity and knowledge of post-departure work history were questioned, and the claims were uncorroborated. Pre-2007 work experience is irrelevant.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding on appeal, holding the evidence was insufficient to show five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience. On motion, the Petitioner's resubmitted letter was already evaluated on appeal and found deficient; the letter author's objectivity and knowledge of post-departure work history were questioned, and the claims were uncorroborated. Pre-2007 work experience is irrelevant.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_02_B5203; source_row=38709
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO reserved its opinion on the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved its opinion on the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_15_B5203; source_row=38754
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved its opinion on the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved its opinion on the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_15_B5203; source_row=38753
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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