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

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EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner's evidence—including recommendation letters praising achievements in specific years, a single award received once in 2012, Chilean Football Federation membership, and team roles—did not collectively demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place him among the small percentage at the very top of his field.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's evidence—including recommendation letters praising achievements in specific years, a single award received once in 2012, Chilean Football Federation membership, and team roles—did not collectively demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place him among the small percentage at the very top of his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_01_B2203; source_row=38261
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

other

intent to continue work in area of extraordinary ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO held that practicing law and teaching at the postsecondary level are distinct areas of expertise requiring different skill sets. The Petitioner had no experience, history, or achievements as a postsecondary teacher, submitted no letters from prospective employers, no prearranged commitments, and no statement detailing plans to teach. None of the submitted evidence related to postsecondary teaching.

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AAO held that practicing law and teaching at the postsecondary level are distinct areas of expertise requiring different skill sets. The Petitioner had no experience, history, or achievements as a postsecondary teacher, submitted no letters from prospective employers, no prearranged commitments, and no statement detailing plans to teach. None of the submitted evidence related to postsecondary teaching.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_02_B2203; source_row=38274
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination under Bagamasbad, finding that the Petitioner's failure to establish intent to continue work in the claimed area of expertise made further analysis unnecessary.

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AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination under Bagamasbad, finding that the Petitioner's failure to establish intent to continue work in the claimed area of expertise made further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_02_B2203; source_row=38273
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 relied on the importance of the trucking industry and entrepreneurship generally rather than demonstrating how his specific endeavor would have broader implications beyond his business and its customers.…

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AAO found that the Petitioner relied on the importance of the trucking industry and entrepreneurship generally rather than demonstrating how his specific endeavor would have broader implications beyond his business and its customers. The revenue and employment projections, even if adequately supported, did not establish operations at a national scale, and the expert letter addressed the industry generally rather than the specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_07_B5203; source_row=38291
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 explicitly reserved consideration of prong three because resolution of prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO explicitly reserved consideration of prong three because resolution of prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_07_B5203; source_row=38293
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 explicitly reserved consideration of prong two because resolution of prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

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

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AAO explicitly reserved consideration of prong two because resolution of prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_07_B5203; source_row=38292
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO incorporated the Director's analysis by reference and noted the Petitioner failed to address the identified deficiencies on appeal. The record also lacked a credential evaluation, official transcripts, and required translation certifications.

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AAO incorporated the Director's analysis by reference and noted the Petitioner failed to address the identified deficiencies on appeal. The record also lacked a credential evaluation, official transcripts, and required translation certifications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_03_B5203; source_row=38281
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 five years progressive experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding that no underlying academic record existed (one was in the record), but agreed that the reference letters collectively fail to demonstrate five years of progressive qualifying experience because they lack specific dates, duty descriptions, and corroborating documentation such as contracts or payment records.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding that no underlying academic record existed (one was in the record), but agreed that the reference letters collectively fail to demonstrate five years of progressive qualifying experience because they lack specific dates, duty descriptions, and corroborating documentation such as contracts or payment records.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_10_B5203; source_row=38300
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the articles describe the importance of the field generally, not the specific endeavor, and the recommendation letters do not specify how the Petitioner's consultancy would have broader implications. As a self-employed consultant she would not employ U.S. workers, and the endeavor does not extend beyond her potential clientele.

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AAO concluded the articles describe the importance of the field generally, not the specific endeavor, and the recommendation letters do not specify how the Petitioner's consultancy would have broader implications. As a self-employed consultant she would not employ U.S. workers, and the endeavor does not extend beyond her potential clientele.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_11_B5203; source_row=38304
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

AAO concluded the evidence did not establish that the specific endeavor (rather than dentistry or entrepreneurship generally) would have broader implications or substantial positive economic effects. The expert letter focused on Brazil rather than the specific U.S. endeavor, and the business plan's revenue and job-creation projections were unsupported.

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 concluded the evidence did not establish that the specific endeavor (rather than dentistry or entrepreneurship generally) would have broader implications or substantial positive economic effects. The expert letter focused on Brazil rather than the specific U.S. endeavor, and the business plan's revenue and job-creation projections were unsupported.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-18_01_B5203; source_row=38262
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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