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 42414250

NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner did not demonstrate national importance. On motion, the Petitioner presented no new material facts or valid legal argument to disturb this conclusion.

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 adopted and affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner did not demonstrate national importance. On motion, the Petitioner presented no new material facts or valid legal argument to disturb this conclusion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_08_B5203; source_row=38546
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 decision, finding the Petitioner's appeal offered no new arguments or evidence and failed to identify any erroneous conclusion of law or fact, which alone is grounds for dismissal.

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 adopted and affirmed the Director's decision, finding the Petitioner's appeal offered no new arguments or evidence and failed to identify any erroneous conclusion of law or fact, which alone is grounds for dismissal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_04_B5203; source_row=38531
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years full-time experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

None of the submitted letters indicated full-time work, only one letter contained specific dates of employment covering only several months, and the remaining letters lacked specific dates and provided only general descriptions of duties. The self-employment letter also failed to indicate full-time work and provided only general descriptions.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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None of the submitted letters indicated full-time work, only one letter contained specific dates of employment covering only several months, and the remaining letters lacked specific dates and provided only general descriptions of duties. The self-employment letter also failed to indicate full-time work and provided only general descriptions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_07_B5203; source_row=38538
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license or certification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that the licensure criterion was met.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that the licensure criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_07_B5203; source_row=38539
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions

Why AAO was not persuaded

Interview photographs did not indicate reasons or content; news articles recognized some past achievements but did not address significant contributions to the field; letters from colleagues and clients praised professional skills but did not evidence recognition for achievements and significant contributions by peers, governmental entities, or professional organizations.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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Interview photographs did not indicate reasons or content; news articles recognized some past achievements but did not address significant contributions to the field; letters from colleagues and clients praised professional skills but did not evidence recognition for achievements and significant contributions by peers, governmental entities, or professional organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_07_B5203; source_row=38542
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the nursing technician diploma and transcript constitute an official academic record relating to the area of exceptional ability, meeting the plain language of the regulation.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the nursing technician diploma and transcript constitute an official academic record relating to the area of exceptional ability, meeting the plain language of the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_07_B5203; source_row=38537
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 explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because dismissal was decided on the first prong alone.

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 explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because dismissal was decided on the first prong alone.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_08_B5203; source_row=38547
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 explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because dismissal was decided on the first prong alone.

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 explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because dismissal was decided on the first prong alone.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_08_B5203; source_row=38548
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations or establishments

What the decision said

AAO reserved this criterion because even if met it would not change the outcome—the Petitioner could only reach two criteria total, short of the required three.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO reserved this criterion because even if met it would not change the outcome—the Petitioner could only reach two criteria total, short of the required three.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_01_B2203; source_row=38521
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found sufficient documentary evidence that the Petitioner received nationally and internationally recognized awards from the IBJJF, including First Place Gold at a top IBJJF tournament in 2016, and withdrew the Director's determination on this issue.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO found sufficient documentary evidence that the Petitioner received nationally and internationally recognized awards from the IBJJF, including First Place Gold at a top IBJJF tournament in 2016, and withdrew the Director's determination on this issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_01_B2203; source_row=38517
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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