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 41814190

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the merits, finding the Director's analysis of the third prong was deficient because it raised arguments not made by the Petitioner (labor shortages) and failed to discuss the actual evidence submitted.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach the merits, finding the Director's analysis of the third prong was deficient because it raised arguments not made by the Petitioner (labor shortages) and failed to discuss the actual evidence submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_07_B5203; source_row=38659
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the merits, finding the Director's analysis was so deficient — consisting only of conclusory statements untethered to the record evidence — that a remand was required.

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 declined to reach the merits, finding the Director's analysis was so deficient — consisting only of conclusory statements untethered to the record evidence — that a remand was required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_07_B5203; source_row=38657
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner had not established national importance under the first prong, making the second prong unnecessary to the result. AAO also noted the Director's second-prong analysis was erroneous as it referenced the accounting profession.

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 reach the second prong because the Petitioner had not established national importance under the first prong, making the second prong unnecessary to the result. AAO also noted the Director's second-prong analysis was erroneous as it referenced the accounting profession.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_08_B5203; source_row=38661
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner had not established the first prong, making analysis of the third prong unnecessary to the result.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner had not established the first prong, making analysis of the third prong unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_08_B5203; source_row=38662
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the Petitioner did not provide new facts or show legal error and did not address the numerous evidentiary deficiencies, including the ambiguity over whether she served as a jury member or makeup artist.

Why this is useful

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AAO concluded the Petitioner did not provide new facts or show legal error and did not address the numerous evidentiary deficiencies, including the ambiguity over whether she served as a jury member or makeup artist.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_04_B2203; source_row=38645
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's determination that the display criterion was satisfied; this finding was not at issue on motion.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's determination that the display criterion was satisfied; this finding was not at issue on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_04_B2203; source_row=38646
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive failure on the first prong.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive failure on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_05_B5203; source_row=38653
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved the second prong as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive failure on the first prong, but noted that its de novo review did not appear to support the Director's finding that this prong was met.

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 reserved the second prong as unnecessary to decide given the dispositive failure on the first prong, but noted that its de novo review did not appear to support the Director's finding that this prong was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-03_05_B5203; source_row=38652
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner did not submit a certified English translation of the engineering degree document, an official academic record, or evidence that his credentials are the foreign equivalent of a U.S. advanced or baccalaureate degree, and did not show that a U.S. baccalaureate degree is the minimum entry requirement for his occupation.

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AAO found that the Petitioner did not submit a certified English translation of the engineering degree document, an official academic record, or evidence that his credentials are the foreign equivalent of a U.S. advanced or baccalaureate degree, and did not show that a U.S. baccalaureate degree is the minimum entry requirement for his occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-02_02_B5203; source_row=38604
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 agreed the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. His 2021 income of $65,000, projected employment of up to 36 employees and projected profits, and support letters from colleagues and students all failed to show broader national impact. Post-filing evidence could not be considered.…

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 agreed the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. His 2021 income of $65,000, projected employment of up to 36 employees and projected profits, and support letters from colleagues and students all failed to show broader national impact. Post-filing evidence could not be considered. The general CDC and education reports did not address his specific endeavor, and support letters praised past accomplishments rather than addressing the national importance of his proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-02_02_B5203; source_row=38606
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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