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 43314340

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 found that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor would only impact her direct client base, not the field more broadly. Her online videos disseminate publicly available information as a marketing tool, her 'innovative methodologies' are unexplained, her planned staffing levels are insufficient to rise to national importance, and she improperly conflates the importance of the physical therapy profession with the importance o…

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AAO found that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor would only impact her direct client base, not the field more broadly. Her online videos disseminate publicly available information as a marketing tool, her 'innovative methodologies' are unexplained, her planned staffing levels are insufficient to rise to national importance, and she improperly conflates the importance of the physical therapy profession with the importance of her specific proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-24_02_B5203; source_row=38380
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the record lacked sufficient objective documentary evidence to establish the prospective national importance of the specific endeavor. Even assuming the projected job creation of 15 jobs by year 5 was credible—which the record did not support given the absence of funding evidence—this would not rise to substantial positive economic effects at a national level.…

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AAO agreed that the record lacked sufficient objective documentary evidence to establish the prospective national importance of the specific endeavor. Even assuming the projected job creation of 15 jobs by year 5 was credible—which the record did not support given the absence of funding evidence—this would not rise to substantial positive economic effects at a national level. New evidence submitted on appeal was not considered because the Petitioner had a prior opportunity to submit it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-24_01_B5203; source_row=38377
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner failed to show national importance. Her proposed endeavor of operating three education businesses in California did not demonstrate broader implications beyond local clients, did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers, and did not establish substantial positive economic effects at the national level.…

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AAO agreed the Petitioner failed to show national importance. Her proposed endeavor of operating three education businesses in California did not demonstrate broader implications beyond local clients, did not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers, and did not establish substantial positive economic effects at the national level. New evidence about $1.6M in wages was not considered because it was raised for the first time on appeal after prior notice and opportunity to submit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-24_04_B5203; source_row=38386
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 declined to reach prong two because the failure to meet prong one is dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO declined to reach prong two because the failure to meet prong one is dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-24_05_B5203; source_row=38390
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 declined to reach prong three because the failure to meet prong one is dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO declined to reach prong three because the failure to meet prong one is dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-24_05_B5203; source_row=38391
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 declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong was dispositive, making further analysis unnecessary.

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AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong was dispositive, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-24_03_B5203; source_row=38384
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 the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong was dispositive, making further analysis unnecessary.

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AAO declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure on the first prong was dispositive, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-24_03_B5203; source_row=38385
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in qualifying associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Ronin course entry requirements (language proficiency, driver's license, fitness test, criminal background check) do not constitute outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts. The letters from the Ronin CEO were conclusory and did not demonstrate that alumni association membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by nationally or internationally recognized experts.

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AAO found the Ronin course entry requirements (language proficiency, driver's license, fitness test, criminal background check) do not constitute outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts. The letters from the Ronin CEO were conclusory and did not demonstrate that alumni association membership requires outstanding achievements as judged by nationally or internationally recognized experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_01_B2203; source_row=38339
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance because she could not quantify economic impact, lacked independent evidence of significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate positive economic effects, and her supporting letters did not address the prospective impact of her specific proposed endeavor.…

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The AAO found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance because she could not quantify economic impact, lacked independent evidence of significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate positive economic effects, and her supporting letters did not address the prospective impact of her specific proposed endeavor. Her projection of reaching 70,000 people through twelve workshops was speculative and unsubstantiated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_03_B5203; source_row=38357
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Centenary Medal was awarded after the filing date and cannot be considered; even if considered, it was not shown to be for excellence in BJJ or BJJ coaching. The [REDACTED] medal certificate for 2022 did not demonstrate the award was for BJJ excellence. Belt rankings equate to training completion, not prizes or awards.…

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The Centenary Medal was awarded after the filing date and cannot be considered; even if considered, it was not shown to be for excellence in BJJ or BJJ coaching. The [REDACTED] medal certificate for 2022 did not demonstrate the award was for BJJ excellence. Belt rankings equate to training completion, not prizes or awards. The [REDACTED] rank was not shown to be a nationally or internationally recognized prize, and the record contained conflicting minimum experience requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_02_B2203; source_row=38347
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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