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 44114420

EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not offer his patents under the original contributions criterion before the Director; they were presented under the awards criterion or the leading/critical role criterion. New assertions raised for the first time on appeal are not properly before the AAO, so the patent claims were not considered under this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner did not offer his patents under the original contributions criterion before the Director; they were presented under the awards criterion or the leading/critical role criterion. New assertions raised for the first time on appeal are not properly before the AAO, so the patent claims were not considered under this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_01_B2203; source_row=38210
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 found that industry-level reports did not illuminate the specific endeavor's prospective impact; the business plan's projections (20 hires, $85M in foreign investment, 280 jobs) lacked objective corroboration; the RIMS II analysis relied on overly broad categories and unverified assumptions; and the proposed company's size and scope were insufficient to reach the level of 'substantial positive economic effects' contempl…

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 found that industry-level reports did not illuminate the specific endeavor's prospective impact; the business plan's projections (20 hires, $85M in foreign investment, 280 jobs) lacked objective corroboration; the RIMS II analysis relied on overly broad categories and unverified assumptions; and the proposed company's size and scope were insufficient to reach the level of 'substantial positive economic effects' contemplated by Dhanasar. Training/knowledge-transfer claims also did not demonstrate broader field impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_05_B5203; source_row=38236
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's proposed teaching endeavor lacked the broader implications required for national importance. Her services did not demonstrate a positive impact on the national economy or the field beyond her prospective students and schools, and new evidence on motion did not cure this deficiency.

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 found the Petitioner's proposed teaching endeavor lacked the broader implications required for national importance. Her services did not demonstrate a positive impact on the national economy or the field beyond her prospective students and schools, and new evidence on motion did not cure this deficiency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_04_B5203; source_row=38233
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong three because prong one was not met.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO did not reach prong three because prong one was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_04_B5203; source_row=38235
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong two because prong one was not met.

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 did not reach prong two because prong one was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_04_B5203; source_row=38234
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

recognition

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the letters described the Petitioner's skills and past work performance but did not establish she had been recognized for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field of her proposed endeavor.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO agreed that the letters described the Petitioner's skills and past work performance but did not establish she had been recognized for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field of her proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_08_B5203; source_row=38250
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or foreign equivalent

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on this issue on appeal, so AAO treated it as waived pursuant to Matter of R-A-M-.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on this issue on appeal, so AAO treated it as waived pursuant to Matter of R-A-M-.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_08_B5203; source_row=38245
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

academic record

Official academic record relating to area of exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO withdrew the Director's determination, finding that the 'title of physiotherapist' constitutes an 'award' from an 'institution of learning' relating to the area of exceptional ability, and qualifies as an official academic record. An advanced degree is not required for this criterion.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO withdrew the Director's determination, finding that the 'title of physiotherapist' constitutes an 'award' from an 'institution of learning' relating to the area of exceptional ability, and qualifies as an official academic record. An advanced degree is not required for this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_08_B5203; source_row=38246
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

At least ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's favorable finding because the Petitioner's statements about her work history were internally inconsistent, the employment letters lacked start/end dates and full-time/part-time specifications, and insufficient corroborating evidence was provided to reconcile the discrepancies.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO withdrew the Director's favorable finding because the Petitioner's statements about her work history were internally inconsistent, the employment letters lacked start/end dates and full-time/part-time specifications, and insufficient corroborating evidence was provided to reconcile the discrepancies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_08_B5203; source_row=38247
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

license or certification

License to practice the profession or certification for a particular profession or occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director because the certification was issued in May 2023, approximately six months after the November 2022 petition filing date, and a petitioner must establish eligibility at the time of filing.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO agreed with the Director because the certification was issued in May 2023, approximately six months after the November 2022 petition filing date, and a petitioner must establish eligibility at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-17_08_B5203; source_row=38248
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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