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 46114620

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

EB-2 advanced degree qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Director overlooked a compliant employer letter in the original filing that demonstrated more than six years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience, establishing the advanced degree equivalency.

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AAO found that the Director overlooked a compliant employer letter in the original filing that demonstrated more than six years of qualifying post-baccalaureate experience, establishing the advanced degree equivalency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_07_B5203; source_row=37909
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 did not reach a substantive conclusion on this prong; the Director's finding was vacated because it lacked the required explanation and analysis, and the matter was remanded.

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 did not reach a substantive conclusion on this prong; the Director's finding was vacated because it lacked the required explanation and analysis, and the matter was remanded.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_10_B5203; source_row=37919
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO did not reach a substantive conclusion on this prong; the Director's finding was vacated as the entire NIW analysis lacked the required explanation, and the matter was remanded.

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 a substantive conclusion on this prong; the Director's finding was vacated as the entire NIW analysis lacked the required explanation, and the matter was remanded.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_10_B5203; source_row=37921
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

FinanceBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not address the second prong, as the appeal was resolved against the Petitioner on the first prong alone.

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 address the second prong, as the appeal was resolved against the Petitioner on the first prong alone.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_05_B5203; source_row=37897
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record / degree or certificate from institution of learning

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the certificates submitted did not adequately establish that the issuing entities were colleges, universities, schools, or other institutions of learning relating to the area of exceptional ability, and the letters submitted on appeal only attested to employment activities rather than the institutional status of the issuers.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the certificates submitted did not adequately establish that the issuing entities were colleges, universities, schools, or other institutions of learning relating to the area of exceptional ability, and the letters submitted on appeal only attested to employment activities rather than the institutional status of the issuers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_11_B5203; source_row=37922
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the employer letters lacked specific start and end dates, failed to specify whether employment was full-time, and did not provide detailed job descriptions sufficient to evaluate whether prior experience was in the same occupation as the intended chief executive officer and coach role.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the employer letters lacked specific start and end dates, failed to specify whether employment was full-time, and did not provide detailed job descriptions sufficient to evaluate whether prior experience was in the same occupation as the intended chief executive officer and coach role.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_11_B5203; source_row=37923
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

license or certification

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner conceded in response to the RFE that there is no formal or legally regulated license or certification in Brazil required to practice capoeira, so this criterion was not demonstrated.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner conceded in response to the RFE that there is no formal or legally regulated license or certification in Brazil required to practice capoeira, so this criterion was not demonstrated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_11_B5203; source_row=37924
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field by peers, governmental entities, or professional or business organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while the letters showed the Petitioner to be a competent and valued professional, they did not evidence achievements or significant contributions showing expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the field.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that while the letters showed the Petitioner to be a competent and valued professional, they did not evidence achievements or significant contributions showing expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_11_B5203; source_row=37927
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 waive job offer and labor certification

What the decision said

AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary to reach because the Petitioner failed to establish the first and second prongs of the Dhanasar framework.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary to reach because the Petitioner failed to establish the first and second prongs of the Dhanasar framework.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_02_B5203; source_row=37889
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

license or certification

License to practice the profession or certification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed that the Petitioner's FAA airline transport pilot license meets the plain language of criterion C.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's FAA airline transport pilot license meets the plain language of criterion C.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-30_06_B5203; source_row=37902
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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