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 44514460

NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's reliance on generalized information about software development, healthcare, and business did not establish the specific endeavor's broader implications. Reduced travel costs for a limited set of patients, and software facilitating existing examination types, do not demonstrate national or global implications or substantial positive economic effects.…

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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 the Petitioner's reliance on generalized information about software development, healthcare, and business did not establish the specific endeavor's broader implications. Reduced travel costs for a limited set of patients, and software facilitating existing examination types, do not demonstrate national or global implications or substantial positive economic effects. The Petitioner also waived any employment-of-workers argument on appeal by asserting he would act only as an independent contractor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-13_02_B5203; source_row=38176
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO expressly reserved opinion on the third Dhanasar prong because the first prong was not met, making this issue unnecessary to the outcome.

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 expressly reserved opinion on the third Dhanasar prong because the first prong was not met, making this issue unnecessary to the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-13_02_B5203; source_row=38178
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 to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong three, as the first prong was dispositive.

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, as the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-13_05_B5203; source_row=38188
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong two, as the first prong was dispositive.

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, as the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-13_05_B5203; source_row=38187
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong three because the first prong was dispositive.

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 explicitly declined to reach prong three because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-13_03_B5203; source_row=38181
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong two because the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO explicitly declined to reach prong two because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-13_03_B5203; source_row=38180
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

five years progressive post-baccalaureate experience in specialty

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the employment book, the document listing responsibilities per position, and the letter confirming specific employment dates together demonstrated at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience.

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

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AAO found that the employment book, the document listing responsibilities per position, and the letter confirming specific employment dates together demonstrated at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-13_01_B5203; source_row=38172
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the director's finding, concluding that the record did not sufficiently establish the petitioner's specific endeavor or its national importance, and that there was no probative evidence of the company's realistic potential to operate, create jobs, or generate substantial positive economic effects.

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 adopted and affirmed the director's finding, concluding that the record did not sufficiently establish the petitioner's specific endeavor or its national importance, and that there was no probative evidence of the company's realistic potential to operate, create jobs, or generate substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-12_04_B5203; source_row=38146
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Foreign degree equivalent to U.S. baccalaureate

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the credential evaluation insufficient because it did not explain how three years of foreign study equated to four years of U.S. study, and AACRAO EDGE indicates a 3-year Titulo de Bacharel is comparable only to 3 years of U.S. university study, not a full bachelor's degree.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the credential evaluation insufficient because it did not explain how three years of foreign study equated to four years of U.S. study, and AACRAO EDGE indicates a 3-year Titulo de Bacharel is comparable only to 3 years of U.S. university study, not a full bachelor's degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-12_04_B5203; source_row=38144
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the employment letters submitted in response to the RFE failed to demonstrate five years of progressive experience in the specialty as shown by advancing levels of responsibility and knowledge.

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 employment letters submitted in response to the RFE failed to demonstrate five years of progressive experience in the specialty as shown by advancing levels of responsibility and knowledge.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-12_04_B5203; source_row=38145
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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