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 42814290

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

The AAO found that while the Petitioner's endeavor has substantial merit, the submitted evidence — including interest letters, employer and colleague letters, client letters, an expert opinion, and general industry articles — addressed only benefits to individual companies or the consulting industry broadly, without establishing specific broader implications for his field or national importance as required under Dhanasar.

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The AAO found that while the Petitioner's endeavor has substantial merit, the submitted evidence — including interest letters, employer and colleague letters, client letters, an expert opinion, and general industry articles — addressed only benefits to individual companies or the consulting industry broadly, without establishing specific broader implications for his field or national importance as required under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_06_B5203; source_row=38476
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years progressive post-baccalaureate experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

Some of the Petitioner's claimed experience commenced before completion of her bachelor's degree, and her three years with the most recent employer began only six months before she filed the petition, so she has not demonstrated five years of post-baccalaureate experience at the time of filing.

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Some of the Petitioner's claimed experience commenced before completion of her bachelor's degree, and her three years with the most recent employer began only six months before she filed the petition, so she has not demonstrated five years of post-baccalaureate experience at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_02_B5203; source_row=38449
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the evidence did not demonstrate broader implications of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor at a level of national importance. Reports on the software development industry did not address the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor, and opinion letters and work experience evidence did not establish the endeavor would have economic effects at a national importance level.

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AAO found the evidence did not demonstrate broader implications of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor at a level of national importance. Reports on the software development industry did not address the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor, and opinion letters and work experience evidence did not establish the endeavor would have economic effects at a national importance level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_01_B5203; source_row=38439
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in the aggregate that the record does not support sustained acclaim.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner did not meet the threshold of three criteria, but noted in the aggregate that the record does not support sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=38438
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's findings for this criterion on appeal or offer additional arguments, and AAO therefore deemed the claim abandoned.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's findings for this criterion on appeal or offer additional arguments, and AAO therefore deemed the claim abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=38432
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion and did not disturb it.

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AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion and did not disturb it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=38433
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director's assessment that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion.

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AAO agreed with the Director's assessment that the Petitioner satisfied this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=38436
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 reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner's failure to meet the minimum criteria threshold made it unnecessary to the outcome.

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AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner's failure to meet the minimum criteria threshold made it unnecessary to the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_02_B2203; source_row=38447
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO confirmed the Petitioner meets the judging criterion, consistent with the Director's finding.

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AAO confirmed the Petitioner meets the judging criterion, consistent with the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_02_B2203; source_row=38443
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO confirmed the Petitioner meets the display criterion, consistent with the Director's finding.

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AAO confirmed the Petitioner meets the display criterion, consistent with the Director's finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-26_02_B2203; source_row=38444
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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