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 4951–4960

EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO offered an alternative final-merits conclusion that the record does not show acclaim or top-of-field status.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO offered an alternative final-merits conclusion that the record does not show acclaim or top-of-field status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-02_01_B2203; source_row=37368
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the first prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the second prong was dispositive of the appeal.

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 explicitly reserved judgment on the first prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the second prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-02_02_B5203; source_row=37375
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 the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the second prong was dispositive of the appeal.

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 reserved judgment on the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the second prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-02_02_B5203; source_row=37377
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the record showed the Petitioner served as Acting President and Vice President for Academic Affairs of an organization with a distinguished reputation, satisfying 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 found the record showed the Petitioner served as Acting President and Vice President for Academic Affairs of an organization with a distinguished reputation, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-02_02_B2203; source_row=37373
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

What the decision said

Petitioner argued this criterion on appeal, but because AAO found three criteria met via the leading/critical role criterion, it did not need to reach this one.

Why this is useful

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

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Petitioner argued this criterion on appeal, but because AAO found three criteria met via the leading/critical role criterion, it did not need to reach this one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-02_02_B2203; source_row=37372
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner submitted only English translations of her academic records without the originals, making verification impossible. Further, her employer letters contained irreconcilable inconsistencies in employment dates, and her claimed employment overlapped with her claimed academic studies.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the Petitioner submitted only English translations of her academic records without the originals, making verification impossible. Further, her employer letters contained irreconcilable inconsistencies in employment dates, and her claimed employment overlapped with her claimed academic studies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-02_04_B5203; source_row=37381
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds substantial merit conceded but agrees the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance: the endeavor's benefits do not extend beyond clients/customers, lack supporting financial projections, and rely on industry-level rather than endeavor-specific impact.

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 finds substantial merit conceded but agrees the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance: the endeavor's benefits do not extend beyond clients/customers, lack supporting financial projections, and rely on industry-level rather than endeavor-specific impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-01_03_B5203; source_row=37356
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

While the Petitioner demonstrated substantial merit, she did not provide sufficient evidence or explanation that her work would have a prospective national impact on water quality, industrial safety, or economic growth. Reference letters and the expert opinion letter did not establish impact beyond the Petitioner's customers or field more broadly.

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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While the Petitioner demonstrated substantial merit, she did not provide sufficient evidence or explanation that her work would have a prospective national impact on water quality, industrial safety, or economic growth. Reference letters and the expert opinion letter did not establish impact beyond the Petitioner's customers or field more broadly.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-01_04_B5203; source_row=37359
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the proposed endeavor lacks national importance. The Petitioner's prior experience and generalized industry reports are irrelevant to the prospective impact of the specific endeavor; her appeal brief contained confusing references to an unnamed third party; her claim of international trade experience introduced new facts that cannot cure the deficiency; and the business plan's anticipated 14 employees at a privat…

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 the proposed endeavor lacks national importance. The Petitioner's prior experience and generalized industry reports are irrelevant to the prospective impact of the specific endeavor; her appeal brief contained confusing references to an unnamed third party; her claim of international trade experience introduced new facts that cannot cure the deficiency; and the business plan's anticipated 14 employees at a private residence and unspecified indirect jobs do not demonstrate national-scale economic impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-01_01_B5203; source_row=37346
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner relied on her diploma, work card, and union membership card without explaining how any of them establishes membership in a professional association.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner relied on her diploma, work card, and union membership card without explaining how any of them establishes membership in a professional association.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-05-01_02_B5203; source_row=37354
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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