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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 4211–4220
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established
Case facts
Finance
Issue evaluated
NIW · EB-2 baseline
advanced degree qualification
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO found the Petitioner's baccalaureate program was completed in approximately two years (entered 2017, completed July 8, 2019), which does not constitute a full four-year baccalaureate degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The lato sensu certificate is a professional development credential, not a graduate degree, per the AACRAO EDGE database.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The AAO found the Petitioner's baccalaureate program was completed in approximately two years (entered 2017, completed July 8, 2019), which does not constitute a full four-year baccalaureate degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The lato sensu certificate is a professional development credential, not a graduate degree, per the AACRAO EDGE database.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-01_10_B5203; source_row=38583 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The AAO agreed that while accounting has substantial merit as a profession, the Petitioner's proposed activities represent typical accounting work without demonstrating broader national implications.…
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
View full reasoning +
The AAO agreed that while accounting has substantial merit as a profession, the Petitioner's proposed activities represent typical accounting work without demonstrating broader national implications. The Petitioner did not show his techniques or innovations were unavailable or superior to those already offered in the U.S., and working as an individual accountant or owning an accounting firm did not rise to the level of substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-01_10_B5203; source_row=38584 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO partially disagreed with the Director, finding substantial merit established by the size of the sports nutrition industry, but agreed that national importance was not established. The business plan's job creation projections lacked supporting specifics, the public health claims were unsupported by the cited reports, and counsel's assertions were not evidence.
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
View full reasoning +
AAO partially disagreed with the Director, finding substantial merit established by the size of the sports nutrition industry, but agreed that national importance was not established. The business plan's job creation projections lacked supporting specifics, the public health claims were unsupported by the cited reports, and counsel's assertions were not evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-01_12_B5203; source_row=38592 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The supplemental business plan was largely similar to the original and still did not demonstrate broader impact beyond the Petitioner's prospective clients and employees. Revenue and employment projections were neither corroborated nor shown to reach the level of national importance or substantial positive economic effects.
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
View full reasoning +
The supplemental business plan was largely similar to the original and still did not demonstrate broader impact beyond the Petitioner's prospective clients and employees. Revenue and employment projections were neither corroborated nor shown to reach the level of national importance or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-01_05_B5203; source_row=38567 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 failed to establish national importance under the first prong, making resolution of this prong unnecessary.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
View full reasoning +
AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner failed to establish national importance under the first prong, making resolution of this prong unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-01_08_B5203; source_row=38578 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 failed to establish national importance under the first prong, making resolution of this prong unnecessary.
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 failed to establish national importance under the first prong, making resolution of this prong unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-01_08_B5203; source_row=38579 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 conclusion, finding that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate prospective national impact. The cooperative's benefits appeared limited to her students and dental offices, her courses were acknowledged to be similar to existing offerings in the United States, and her economic projections were not shown to have broader national or regional implications.
Why this is useful
Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
View full reasoning +
AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's conclusion, finding that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate prospective national impact. The cooperative's benefits appeared limited to her students and dental offices, her courses were acknowledged to be similar to existing offerings in the United States, and her economic projections were not shown to have broader national or regional implications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-01_08_B5203; source_row=38577 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c