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 4991–5000

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted the Director's finding that this criterion was met without further analysis, noting that even with this criterion satisfied, the Petitioner still fell short of the three required.

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AAO accepted the Director's finding that this criterion was met without further analysis, noting that even with this criterion satisfied, the Petitioner still fell short of the three required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=37316
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in qualifying media

What the decision said

AAO reserved this criterion as unnecessary to reach because the Petitioner could not satisfy the minimum of three criteria regardless of its outcome.

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AAO reserved this criterion as unnecessary to reach because the Petitioner could not satisfy the minimum of three criteria regardless of its outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-30_01_B2203; source_row=37317
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

The AAO agreed the endeavor lacked national importance because it focused on the Petitioner's internal operations—data migration, Git-hfs development, engineering consistency, and security—without evidence of broader implications for the advanced computing field, significant U.S. worker employment, or substantial positive economic effects.…

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The AAO agreed the endeavor lacked national importance because it focused on the Petitioner's internal operations—data migration, Git-hfs development, engineering consistency, and security—without evidence of broader implications for the advanced computing field, significant U.S. worker employment, or substantial positive economic effects. The expert letter failed to address the Beneficiary's specific endeavor and instead discussed the field generally. The sole letter about Git-hfs provided no examples of use beyond the Petitioner's company.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-29_03_B5203; source_row=37289
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's Commercial Association membership does not qualify because the association does not require a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent for membership. A CFA registration card submitted on appeal was also insufficient because it postdated the filing of the petition.

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The Petitioner's Commercial Association membership does not qualify because the association does not require a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent for membership. A CFA registration card submitted on appeal was also insufficient because it postdated the filing of the petition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-29_02_B5203; source_row=37284
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

exceptional salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted only an accountant's letter asserting her salary was above average, without comparative data for other professionals in the same geographic area, and without showing her income was a direct result of exceptional ability.

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The Petitioner submitted only an accountant's letter asserting her salary was above average, without comparative data for other professionals in the same geographic area, and without showing her income was a direct result of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-29_02_B5203; source_row=37283
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 the evidence failed to demonstrate national importance. The expert opinion letter did not explain how the Petitioner's specific small-business endeavor would have prospective national impact; the business plan's revenue projections were unsupported; shortages in a field do not demonstrate national importance of a specific endeavor; and the Petitioner's individual efforts as a small business owner would not extend…

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AAO agreed the evidence failed to demonstrate national importance. The expert opinion letter did not explain how the Petitioner's specific small-business endeavor would have prospective national impact; the business plan's revenue projections were unsupported; shortages in a field do not demonstrate national importance of a specific endeavor; and the Petitioner's individual efforts as a small business owner would not extend beyond his company and clientele to impact the broader field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-29_08_B5203; source_row=37309
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

Although the Petitioner resubmitted the documents with proper translations on appeal, the record does not show that the association is comprised of individuals who have earned a U.S. baccalaureate degree or its foreign equivalent, or that it otherwise constitutes a professional association under the regulatory definition.

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Although the Petitioner resubmitted the documents with proper translations on appeal, the record does not show that the association is comprised of individuals who have earned a U.S. baccalaureate degree or its foreign equivalent, or that it otherwise constitutes a professional association under the regulatory definition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-29_07_B5203; source_row=37304
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO did not re-examine this prong on the motion; the prior appellate decision finding against the Petitioner on this prong stands, but no new analysis was conducted.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not re-examine this prong on the motion; the prior appellate decision finding against the Petitioner on this prong stands, but no new analysis was conducted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-29_01_B5203; source_row=37278
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

Not addressed on motion; the prior proceedings found the petition failed at prong one, making prong two not reached.

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Not addressed on motion; the prior proceedings found the petition failed at prong one, making prong two not reached.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-29_01_B5203; source_row=37279
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

Not addressed on motion; the prior proceedings found the petition failed at prong one, making prong three not reached.

Why this is useful

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Not addressed on motion; the prior proceedings found the petition failed at prong one, making prong three not reached.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-29_01_B5203; source_row=37280
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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