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 41414150

NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

valid signature on Form I-290B and Form G-28

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO independently identified the signature defect on appeal; the signatures on appellate forms appear identical and indistinguishable, indicating they are transposed images rather than original handwritten signatures.

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AAO independently identified the signature defect on appeal; the signatures on appellate forms appear identical and indistinguishable, indicating they are transposed images rather than original handwritten signatures.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_14_B5203; source_row=38748
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed the letters showed complimentary descriptions of the Petitioner's work on specific projects but did not demonstrate impact beyond his employers and their specific projects at a level indicative of achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field. The contradictory language in the Director's decision was deemed a typographical error, not evidence of improper review.

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The AAO agreed the letters showed complimentary descriptions of the Petitioner's work on specific projects but did not demonstrate impact beyond his employers and their specific projects at a level indicative of achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field. The contradictory language in the Director's decision was deemed a typographical error, not evidence of improper review.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_06_B5203; source_row=38726
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the TuSalario.org excerpt problematic on multiple grounds: it did not explain its methodology, did not clarify whether the average was a base or gross rate (making comparison unreliable), and did not indicate the applicable dates. The Petitioner's argument that salaries increase yearly was an unsupported general assertion.

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The AAO found the TuSalario.org excerpt problematic on multiple grounds: it did not explain its methodology, did not clarify whether the average was a base or gross rate (making comparison unreliable), and did not indicate the applicable dates. The Petitioner's argument that salaries increase yearly was an unsupported general assertion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_06_B5203; source_row=38724
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license or certification for the profession or occupation

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied this criterion; it was not disputed on appeal.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied this criterion; it was not disputed on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_06_B5203; source_row=38723
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

academic record

academic degree relating to area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's Systems Technician degree transcript reflected general computer/IT coursework with no aviation or aircraft maintenance-related courses, and the Petitioner's arguments were unsupported general assertions.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's Systems Technician degree transcript reflected general computer/IT coursework with no aviation or aircraft maintenance-related courses, and the Petitioner's arguments were unsupported general assertions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-08_06_B5203; source_row=38722
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 adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis, finding that the record does not demonstrate the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor would have impact extending sufficiently beyond her own company and clientele to reach a level commensurate with national importance. While the Director acknowledged substantial merit, neither broader societal impact nor meaningful national-scale economic effects were established.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's analysis, finding that the record does not demonstrate the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor would have impact extending sufficiently beyond her own company and clientele to reach a level commensurate with national importance. While the Director acknowledged substantial merit, neither broader societal impact nor meaningful national-scale economic effects were established.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-05_07_B5203; source_row=38701
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

Reviewing the record in the aggregate, AAO found no evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner stands among the small percentage at the very top of voice acting. The significance of his work does not indicate a career of acclaimed work as contemplated by Congress.

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Reviewing the record in the aggregate, AAO found no evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or that the Petitioner stands among the small percentage at the very top of voice acting. The significance of his work does not indicate a career of acclaimed work as contemplated by Congress.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-05_03_B2203; source_row=38688
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial success in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not show the commercial success of the productions was attributable to his specific voice acting work, did not demonstrate he attracted substantial audiences or generated significant sales through his dubbing, and the IMDb data was given no weight due to reliability concerns. The record lacked evidence identifying the Petitioner as having commercial successes relative to other performing artists.

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The Petitioner did not show the commercial success of the productions was attributable to his specific voice acting work, did not demonstrate he attracted substantial audiences or generated significant sales through his dubbing, and the IMDb data was given no weight due to reliability concerns. The record lacked evidence identifying the Petitioner as having commercial successes relative to other performing artists.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-05_03_B2203; source_row=38685
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

The tvefamosos.uol.com.br article was about Brazilian fans' angry reaction to a dubbing change in an HBO series and only briefly mentioned the Petitioner; it was not about him. The production summaries identified him as a voice actor but were about the productions, not him, and lacked required author attributions. The radio interview screenshot lacked a transcription and did not establish the show was a major medium.…

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The tvefamosos.uol.com.br article was about Brazilian fans' angry reaction to a dubbing change in an HBO series and only briefly mentioned the Petitioner; it was not about him. The production summaries identified him as a voice actor but were about the productions, not him, and lacked required author attributions. The radio interview screenshot lacked a transcription and did not establish the show was a major medium. Additionally, traffic data for uol.com.br did not establish the major media status of the specific subdomain tvefamosos.uol.com.br.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-05_03_B2203; source_row=38684
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 the Petitioner's consulting services lack the prospective impact required for national importance because the benefits would not extend beyond her individual clients to affect the broader U.S. economy or societal welfare. General assertions about economic growth were unsupported by corroborating evidence, and the Petitioner's own qualifications are irrelevant to the first prong.

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AAO found the Petitioner's consulting services lack the prospective impact required for national importance because the benefits would not extend beyond her individual clients to affect the broader U.S. economy or societal welfare. General assertions about economic growth were unsupported by corroborating evidence, and the Petitioner's own qualifications are irrelevant to the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-05_01_B5203; source_row=38673
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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