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 42614270

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other608 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO expressly reserves the second prong as unnecessary to the result.

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 expressly reserves the second prong as unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_01_B5203; source_row=38498
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other608 papers

Issue evaluated

other

willful misrepresentation of material fact

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's explanations contrary to the weight of evidence: he could not explain why fake emails appeared to come from employees' inboxes or why his own personal statements referenced a case study that was never assigned to him; the article's language mirrored Dhanasar terminology and could not be located in Brasil Energia's archive; and he answered 'no' to the fraud question on his May 2022 tourist visa app…

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AAO found the Petitioner's explanations contrary to the weight of evidence: he could not explain why fake emails appeared to come from employees' inboxes or why his own personal statements referenced a case study that was never assigned to him; the article's language mirrored Dhanasar terminology and could not be located in Brasil Energia's archive; and he answered 'no' to the fraud question on his May 2022 tourist visa application. AAO also rejected the ineffective-assistance claim for failing to meet any Lozada documentary requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_01_B5203; source_row=38500
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other608 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO expressly reserves the third prong as unnecessary to the result.

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 expressly reserves the third prong as unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_01_B5203; source_row=38499
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 found that the Petitioner's articles and reports about the consulting and SME sectors did not show how he would deliver services at a scale producing national impact. There was no business plan, projected economic data, or comparable successful models to demonstrate how his specific work would have broader national implications. The record did not establish significant potential to employ U.S.…

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 found that the Petitioner's articles and reports about the consulting and SME sectors did not show how he would deliver services at a scale producing national impact. There was no business plan, projected economic data, or comparable successful models to demonstrate how his specific work would have broader national implications. The record did not establish significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_06_B5203; source_row=38514
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner provided only vague statements about project management in the transportation industry, failed to identify specific railway projects, locations, or scope of services, and his business plan lacked details on revenue streams, staffing, or probative documentation supporting revenue projections.…

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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The Petitioner provided only vague statements about project management in the transportation industry, failed to identify specific railway projects, locations, or scope of services, and his business plan lacked details on revenue streams, staffing, or probative documentation supporting revenue projections. Two contracts showing he procured parts for a northeast rail company were insufficient without broader explanation of future business model and national impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_02_B5203; source_row=38501
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 reserved this prong for the same reason as prong one — the EB-2 threshold was not met.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved this prong for the same reason as prong one — the EB-2 threshold was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_05_B5203; source_row=38512
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong because the Petitioner did not establish the threshold EB-2 qualification, making NIW analysis unnecessary.

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 reserved this prong because the Petitioner did not establish the threshold EB-2 qualification, making NIW analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_05_B5203; source_row=38511
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification via progressive post-baccalaureate experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's finding, noting the record contains no employment letters demonstrating the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience, and that none were submitted on appeal either.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's finding, noting the record contains no employment letters demonstrating the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience, and that none were submitted on appeal either.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_05_B5203; source_row=38510
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 waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong for the same reason as prongs one and two — the EB-2 threshold was not met.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved this prong for the same reason as prongs one and two — the EB-2 threshold was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-27_05_B5203; source_row=38513
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 concluded the endeavor focuses on agricultural workers outside the U.S., duplicates ongoing U.S. government and USAID efforts to address root causes of migration, and that the projected creation of 16 positions does not amount to substantial positive economic effects. Working in an important area is insufficient to show national importance of the specific endeavor.

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 concluded the endeavor focuses on agricultural workers outside the U.S., duplicates ongoing U.S. government and USAID efforts to address root causes of migration, and that the projected creation of 16 positions does not amount to substantial positive economic effects. Working in an important area is insufficient to show national importance of the specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_07_B5203; source_row=38479
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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