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 47114720

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 explicitly declined to reach prong two, finding it unnecessary given the dispositive failure on prong one.

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 explicitly declined to reach prong two, finding it unnecessary given the dispositive failure on prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_04_B5203; source_row=37749
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, waiving the job offer requirement would benefit the United States

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong three, finding it unnecessary given the dispositive failure on prong one.

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, finding it unnecessary given the dispositive failure on prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_04_B5203; source_row=37750
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 waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong 3 because the failure of prong 1 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 3 because the failure of prong 1 was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_02_B5203; source_row=37743
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong 2 because the failure of prong 1 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 2 because the failure of prong 1 was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_02_B5203; source_row=37742
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO agrees with the Petitioner that the Director's denial contradicted its own RFE stance without providing a clear rationale, constituting an arbitrary assessment. AAO instructs the Director to analyze all evidence offered for prong two and explain any deficiencies.

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 agrees with the Petitioner that the Director's denial contradicted its own RFE stance without providing a clear rationale, constituting an arbitrary assessment. AAO instructs the Director to analyze all evidence offered for prong two and explain any deficiencies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_01_B5203; source_row=37739
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's determination on the third prong insufficient because the Director did not discuss the evidence weighed or address the Petitioner's specific claims, failing to properly evaluate the factors identified in Dhanasar.

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 found the Director's determination on the third prong insufficient because the Director did not discuss the evidence weighed or address the Petitioner's specific claims, failing to properly evaluate the factors identified in Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_01_B5203; source_row=37740
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

Although the Director found substantial merit but not national importance, AAO finds the Director's analysis inadequate because the decision did not sufficiently analyze the evidence or explain why it was deficient. AAO instructs the Director to analyze the evidence and focus on the proposed endeavor's potential prospective impact rather than the Petitioner's specific occupation.

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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Although the Director found substantial merit but not national importance, AAO finds the Director's analysis inadequate because the decision did not sufficiently analyze the evidence or explain why it was deficient. AAO instructs the Director to analyze the evidence and focus on the proposed endeavor's potential prospective impact rather than the Petitioner's specific occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_01_B5203; source_row=37738
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions

What the decision said

AAO instructs the Director to determine whether the Petitioner has sufficiently established recognition for achievements and significant contributions to his industry or field.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO instructs the Director to determine whether the Petitioner has sufficiently established recognition for achievements and significant contributions to his industry or field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_01_B5203; source_row=37737
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years of full-time experience

What the decision said

AAO notes the Petitioner submitted an employment letter and instructs the Director to determine whether the Petitioner has sufficiently established at least ten years of full-time experience in the occupation.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO notes the Petitioner submitted an employment letter and instructs the Director to determine whether the Petitioner has sufficiently established at least ten years of full-time experience in the occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_01_B5203; source_row=37735
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations

What the decision said

AAO instructs the Director to consider whether the submitted documentation is sufficient to establish that IACP and The Panela De Barro Institute of Gastronomy are professional organizations, noting the lack of supporting evidence such as membership requirements.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO instructs the Director to consider whether the submitted documentation is sufficient to establish that IACP and The Panela De Barro Institute of Gastronomy are professional organizations, noting the lack of supporting evidence such as membership requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-22_01_B5203; source_row=37736
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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