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 43514360

EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high remuneration for services

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO declined to disturb the Director's determination that the Petitioner met the high remuneration criterion.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to disturb the Director's determination that the Petitioner met the high remuneration criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_01_B2203; source_row=38341
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 fully reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold number of criteria at step 1. AAO nevertheless noted the record in the aggregate does not support a finding of the required level of extraordinary ability.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to fully reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the threshold number of criteria at step 1. AAO nevertheless noted the record in the aggregate does not support a finding of the required level of extraordinary ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_02_B2203; source_row=38353
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

What the decision said

Petitioner did not address or contest on appeal the Director's conclusion that he does not meet this criterion, so AAO deemed the issue waived.

Why this is useful

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Petitioner did not address or contest on appeal the Director's conclusion that he does not meet this criterion, so AAO deemed the issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_02_B2203; source_row=38348
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO reviewed the organizational charter, recommendation and support letters, and published material about the distinguished reputation of [REDACTED], and concluded the Petitioner met this criterion. The Director's decision on this criterion was withdrawn.

Why this is useful

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AAO reviewed the organizational charter, recommendation and support letters, and published material about the distinguished reputation of [REDACTED], and concluded the Petitioner met this criterion. The Director's decision on this criterion was withdrawn.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_02_B2203; source_row=38352
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 in the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion; no further discussion on appeal.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion; no further discussion on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_02_B2203; source_row=38350
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved its opinion on the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making resolution of prong three unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly reserved its opinion on the third prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making resolution of prong three unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_01_B5203; source_row=38346
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved its opinion on the second prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making resolution of prong two unnecessary.

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 its opinion on the second prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making resolution of prong two unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_01_B5203; source_row=38345
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

The AAO reserved the second prong because the failure to establish the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO reserved the second prong because the failure to establish the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_06_B5203; source_row=38367
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

The AAO reserved the third prong because the failure to establish the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO reserved the third prong because the failure to establish the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_06_B5203; source_row=38368
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

Because the first prong was dispositive, the AAO declined to reach and reserved determination on the third prong.

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, the AAO declined to reach and reserved determination on the third prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-21_05_B5203; source_row=38365
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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