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 41714180

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that other documents of record contradict the diploma evaluation's finding that the Petitioner completed a four-year bacharel. The Application for Alien Employment Certification shows she attended the institution for less than four years, and EDGE confirms only four- or five-year bacharels from Brazil equate to a U.S. bachelor's degree.

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AAO found that other documents of record contradict the diploma evaluation's finding that the Petitioner completed a four-year bacharel. The Application for Alien Employment Certification shows she attended the institution for less than four years, and EDGE confirms only four- or five-year bacharels from Brazil equate to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_03_B5203; source_row=38640
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed with the Director's material-change finding and reviewed the full record, but still concluded the Petitioner had not established national importance. Even considering the business plan and supporting documents, the record lacked probative evidence of how the Petitioner's specific consulting work would broadly impact U.S. interests or generate substantial positive economic effects at the national level.

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AAO disagreed with the Director's material-change finding and reviewed the full record, but still concluded the Petitioner had not established national importance. Even considering the business plan and supporting documents, the record lacked probative evidence of how the Petitioner's specific consulting work would broadly impact U.S. interests or generate substantial positive economic effects at the national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_06_B5203; source_row=38654
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences70,000 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's conclusion that the totality of the evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field. The Petitioner's h-index of 8 and low citation counts compared unfavorably to field leaders. AAO rejected arguments that the Director improperly sequenced his analysis or imposed an educational requirement.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's conclusion that the totality of the evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field. The Petitioner's h-index of 8 and low citation counts compared unfavorably to field leaders. AAO rejected arguments that the Director improperly sequenced his analysis or imposed an educational requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_01_B2203; source_row=38631
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 provided only generalized information about the hotel industry and the U.S. economy, not specifics about her proposed endeavor. The proposed consulting company would benefit herself and her clients but did not establish broader national importance.

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AAO found the Petitioner provided only generalized information about the hotel industry and the U.S. economy, not specifics about her proposed endeavor. The proposed consulting company would benefit herself and her clients but did not establish broader national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_04_B5203; source_row=38648
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the motion merely re-argued previously submitted bylaws and that the professional status of the association is not the determining factor; the Petitioner did not show UNITEM requires outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts.

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AAO found the motion merely re-argued previously submitted bylaws and that the professional status of the association is not the determining factor; the Petitioner did not show UNITEM requires outstanding achievements as judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_04_B2203; source_row=38644
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the motion did not contest the identified deficiencies in L-G-'s letter or show legal error, and that the Petitioner failed to provide probative evidence she commands a high salary relative to others in the field.

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AAO found the motion did not contest the identified deficiencies in L-G-'s letter or show legal error, and that the Petitioner failed to provide probative evidence she commands a high salary relative to others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_04_B2203; source_row=38647
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 AAO found that the Petitioner failed to establish that Sprudge qualifies as major media, did not contextualize visitor/viewing statistics, and that self-promotional material from the publisher is not reliable evidence. This finding had been consistently maintained across prior motions.

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The AAO found that the Petitioner failed to establish that Sprudge qualifies as major media, did not contextualize visitor/viewing statistics, and that self-promotional material from the publisher is not reliable evidence. This finding had been consistently maintained across prior motions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_03_B2203; source_row=38639
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The new letter from the deputy chairperson identifies categories of activities open to members but does not establish that those activities are inherently outstanding achievements, nor that nationally or internationally recognized experts judge applications.

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The new letter from the deputy chairperson identifies categories of activities open to members but does not establish that those activities are inherently outstanding achievements, nor that nationally or internationally recognized experts judge applications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_02_B2203; source_row=38633
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The new letter from a former Ministry official confirms the certificate has weight within the Ministry but does not establish wider recognition. An award available only within a single employer has little national or international recognition.

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The new letter from a former Ministry official confirms the certificate has weight within the Ministry but does not establish wider recognition. An award available only within a single employer has little national or international recognition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_02_B2203; source_row=38632
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the merits, noting the Director's analysis cited credentials unrelated to the Petitioner's actual filing and therefore failed to meaningfully engage with the evidence.

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AAO declined to reach the merits, noting the Director's analysis cited credentials unrelated to the Petitioner's actual filing and therefore failed to meaningfully engage with the evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_07_B5203; source_row=38658
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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