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 42514260

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

Because the first prong was dispositive, AAO reserved judgment on the second prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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Because the first prong was dispositive, AAO reserved judgment on the second prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_02_B5203; source_row=38526
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

Because the first prong was dispositive, AAO reserved judgment on the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision.

Why this is useful

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

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Because the first prong was dispositive, AAO reserved judgment on the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-28_02_B5203; source_row=38527
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner failed to specifically identify his original contributions or explain how his work had a deep or widespread impact in the field. The letters and articles did not provide specific information on how his techniques influenced jiu-jitsu significantly beyond athletes he personally coached, and the tournament was not shown to have widespread impact on the sport.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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AAO found the Petitioner failed to specifically identify his original contributions or explain how his work had a deep or widespread impact in the field. The letters and articles did not provide specific information on how his techniques influenced jiu-jitsu significantly beyond athletes he personally coached, and the tournament was not shown to have widespread impact on the sport.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_01_B2203; source_row=38492
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not differentiate his coaching role from other coaches or employees, failed to show how his role impacted either organization's standing, and submitted insufficient evidence that either organization enjoyed a distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the Petitioner did not differentiate his coaching role from other coaches or employees, failed to show how his role impacted either organization's standing, and submitted insufficient evidence that either organization enjoyed a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_01_B2203; source_row=38494
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Environment / Energy

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that while the record shows U.S. government interest in related industries, the Petitioner improperly relied on the importance of the broader industry rather than the specific prospective impact of her own endeavor.…

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 with the Director that while the record shows U.S. government interest in related industries, the Petitioner improperly relied on the importance of the broader industry rather than the specific prospective impact of her own endeavor. The record did not establish that her consulting work would impact the industry more broadly, significantly affect job creation, or have substantial positive economic effects beyond her prospective clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_04_B5203; source_row=38507
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other608 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the Petitioner has not shown how his expertise differs from or improves upon what is already available in the U.S., or that his methodologies will benefit beyond his own company and clients. Past achievements relate to prong 2, not prong 1, and STEM-related claims require evidence of broader field impact.

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 agrees the Petitioner has not shown how his expertise differs from or improves upon what is already available in the U.S., or that his methodologies will benefit beyond his own company and clients. Past achievements relate to prong 2, not prong 1, and STEM-related claims require evidence of broader field impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_01_B5203; source_row=38497
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 endeavor has substantial merit but found insufficient evidence that it would impact the immigration and human rights fields more broadly rather than benefiting only the Petitioner's business and clients.…

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 endeavor has substantial merit but found insufficient evidence that it would impact the immigration and human rights fields more broadly rather than benefiting only the Petitioner's business and clients. Business plan financial projections lacked adequate support, opinion letters focused on the need for expert witnesses generally rather than the specific endeavor's prospective national impact, and alignment with national legislative priorities does not itself establish national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_03_B5203; source_row=38504
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner satisfied criterion (iv) for judging the work of others.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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AAO affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner satisfied criterion (iv) for judging the work of others.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_01_B2203; source_row=38491
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach a final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold, but noted in advisory language that the record does not demonstrate the required acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach a final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the step-1 threshold, but noted in advisory language that the record does not demonstrate the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_01_B2203; source_row=38496
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 awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner satisfied criterion (i) for lesser awards.

Why this is useful

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AAO affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner satisfied criterion (i) for lesser awards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_01_B2203; source_row=38488
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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