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 43714380

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that although the endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance because he focused on his personal qualifications and the general importance of the security field rather than the specific prospective impact of his proposed endeavor.…

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AAO found that although the endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance because he focused on his personal qualifications and the general importance of the security field rather than the specific prospective impact of his proposed endeavor. His unsupported revenue and staffing projections and generic claims of economic impact did not show broader implications at the level of national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_04_B5203; source_row=38325
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 that the endeavor has substantial merit but found the record does not establish national importance. The business plan's geographic expansion projections lack sufficient supporting evidence to show impact beyond the Petitioner's clientele; the societal welfare/drug trafficking claims are not adequately documented to show broad national effects; and the projected 22-employee workforce and revenue figures are unsup…

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AAO agreed that the endeavor has substantial merit but found the record does not establish national importance. The business plan's geographic expansion projections lack sufficient supporting evidence to show impact beyond the Petitioner's clientele; the societal welfare/drug trafficking claims are not adequately documented to show broad national effects; and the projected 22-employee workforce and revenue figures are unsupported by objective data sufficient to show substantial positive economic effects at a national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_06_B5203; source_row=38333
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Director did not mischaracterize the proposed endeavor and that the record fails to show the specific consultancy business has potential to impact teacher shortages or the educational system at a national level. The record also lacks sufficient evidence of claimed positive economic benefits.

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AAO agreed the Director did not mischaracterize the proposed endeavor and that the record fails to show the specific consultancy business has potential to impact teacher shortages or the educational system at a national level. The record also lacks sufficient evidence of claimed positive economic benefits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_01_B5203; source_row=38316
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 waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved the third prong as the second-prong finding was dispositive of the appeal.

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

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AAO reserved the third prong as the second-prong finding was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_05_B5203; source_row=38332
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted the Director's finding that the first Dhanasar prong was satisfied and did not revisit this determination.

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AAO accepted the Director's finding that the first Dhanasar prong was satisfied and did not revisit this determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_07_B5203; source_row=38336
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

AAO declined to address criterion (i) because the Petitioner had already met the threshold of three criteria; further analysis was unnecessary.

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AAO declined to address criterion (i) because the Petitioner had already met the threshold of three criteria; further analysis was unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_01_B2203; source_row=38310
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

AAO declined to address criterion (v) because the Petitioner had already met the threshold of three criteria; further analysis was unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to address criterion (v) because the Petitioner had already met the threshold of three criteria; further analysis was unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_01_B2203; source_row=38312
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 distinguished organizations

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director determined and AAO agreed that the Petitioner demonstrated a leading or critical role with organizations of distinguished reputation.

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The Director determined and AAO agreed that the Petitioner demonstrated a leading or critical role with organizations of distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_01_B2203; source_row=38314
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the Director imposed extra requirements not found in the regulation. Evidence of the Petitioner's work displayed at a joint artistic project organized in part by a national centre for artistic creation in public space, where he was referred to as one of seven artists displaying participatory art practices, was sufficient.

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AAO agreed the Director imposed extra requirements not found in the regulation. Evidence of the Petitioner's work displayed at a joint artistic project organized in part by a national centre for artistic creation in public space, where he was referred to as one of seven artists displaying participatory art practices, was sufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_01_B2203; source_row=38313
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 found the Director improperly imposed extra requirements not in the regulation. Evidence of reviewing a paper submitted to an international conference and serving on a multidisciplinary admissions jury was sufficient.

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AAO found the Director improperly imposed extra requirements not in the regulation. Evidence of reviewing a paper submitted to an international conference and serving on a multidisciplinary admissions jury was sufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-20_01_B2203; source_row=38311
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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