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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 45514560

NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the Petitioner's evidence showed only that he met general qualifications for a helicopter pilot. His certifications are minimum-entry requirements, his recommendation letters make generalized statements without distinguishing him from other pilots, and his advisory opinion letter is conclusory without objective basis for claims of exceptional expertise.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The AAO found that the Petitioner's evidence showed only that he met general qualifications for a helicopter pilot. His certifications are minimum-entry requirements, his recommendation letters make generalized statements without distinguishing him from other pilots, and his advisory opinion letter is conclusory without objective basis for claims of exceptional expertise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-05_03_B5203; source_row=38003
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

three of six criteria met (step 1)

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO found that the Petitioner met three of the six evidentiary criteria for exceptional ability.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Both the Director and AAO found that the Petitioner met three of the six evidentiary criteria for exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-05_03_B5203; source_row=38002
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIResearch Scientist

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to perform a full final merits determination because the Petitioner did not clear the step-1 threshold, but noted in advisory fashion that the record does not support the required showing of sustained national or international acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to perform a full final merits determination because the Petitioner did not clear the step-1 threshold, but noted in advisory fashion that the record does not support the required showing of sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-05_01_B2203; source_row=37995
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 found the proposed endeavor has substantial merit in science, technology, and health, but that the submitted evidence failed to show how the platform's benefits extend beyond its direct users to impact the healthcare industry more broadly. Government initiatives support AI in healthcare generally but do not indicate government interest in the Petitioner's specific business activities.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO found the proposed endeavor has substantial merit in science, technology, and health, but that the submitted evidence failed to show how the platform's benefits extend beyond its direct users to impact the healthcare industry more broadly. Government initiatives support AI in healthcare generally but do not indicate government interest in the Petitioner's specific business activities. Business plan revenue and employment projections lacked supporting detail and thus lacked credibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-04_01_B5203; source_row=37964
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 documentary evidence relates only to the general field of international trade, not to the Petitioner's specific endeavor, and therefore fails to demonstrate the endeavor's national importance. The Petitioner's broad assertions that the personal statements contain ample supporting evidence were not substantiated by the objective documentary record.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed that the documentary evidence relates only to the general field of international trade, not to the Petitioner's specific endeavor, and therefore fails to demonstrate the endeavor's national importance. The Petitioner's broad assertions that the personal statements contain ample supporting evidence were not substantiated by the objective documentary record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-04_03_B5203; source_row=37970
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot established

Case facts

Physics14 reviews

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner did not meet the final merits standard. His peer review of 27 manuscripts over six years was not distinguished; his citation record showed only one notably above-median paper; his publication record in top journals was limited and dated; and expert letters showed influence on individual researchers but not field-wide acclaim rising to the extraordinary ability level.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed the Petitioner did not meet the final merits standard. His peer review of 27 manuscripts over six years was not distinguished; his citation record showed only one notably above-median paper; his publication record in top journals was limited and dated; and expert letters showed influence on individual researchers but not field-wide acclaim rising to the extraordinary ability level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-04_01_B2203; source_row=37963
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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

The AAO found that the Petitioner's claims of broad impact were unsupported by adequate corroborating evidence showing that the specific proposed consultancy work would extend beyond individual clients to enhance societal welfare at a scale indicative of national importance.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
The AAO found that the Petitioner's claims of broad impact were unsupported by adequate corroborating evidence showing that the specific proposed consultancy work would extend beyond individual clients to enhance societal welfare at a scale indicative of national importance. Merely claiming alignment with government policies or creating up to 10 jobs was insufficient without evidence of prospective impact rising to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-04_04_B5203; source_row=37973
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 the Petitioner failed to provide adequate corroborating evidence that his proposed work as a CEO and entrepreneur in construction and electrical equipment wholesaling would have broader implications or substantial positive economic effects at the national level. The business plan projections lacked supporting evidence of plausibility.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner failed to provide adequate corroborating evidence that his proposed work as a CEO and entrepreneur in construction and electrical equipment wholesaling would have broader implications or substantial positive economic effects at the national level. The business plan projections lacked supporting evidence of plausibility. Petitioner's personal qualifications and industry-level importance were misplaced in the first-prong analysis, which focuses on the specific proposed endeavor's prospective impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-04_02_B5203; source_row=37967
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 the Petitioner demonstrated only the importance of the general legal services sector and occupation, not the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor. AAO also declined to consider the post-filing change to opening her own firm, and found no evidence of sufficient prospective economic impact or job creation rising to national importance.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner demonstrated only the importance of the general legal services sector and occupation, not the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor. AAO also declined to consider the post-filing change to opening her own firm, and found no evidence of sufficient prospective economic impact or job creation rising to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-04_05_B5203; source_row=37976
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

The AAO agreed that the endeavor had substantial merit but not national importance. Articles about the importance of small businesses spoke to substantial merit, not national importance. The benefits of the Petitioner's consulting services would not extend beyond her immediate clients, and the limited business plan projections did not establish significant economic benefits or meaningful furtherance of government initiatives.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
The AAO agreed that the endeavor had substantial merit but not national importance. Articles about the importance of small businesses spoke to substantial merit, not national importance. The benefits of the Petitioner's consulting services would not extend beyond her immediate clients, and the limited business plan projections did not establish significant economic benefits or meaningful furtherance of government initiatives.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-06-04_08_B5203; source_row=37986
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
Back to assessment