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 5091–5100

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong two, as the petition failed on the first prong.

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 reach prong two, as the petition failed on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-22_07_B5203; source_row=37162
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer and labor certification

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong three, as the petition failed on the first prong.

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 prong three, as the petition failed on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-22_07_B5203; source_row=37163
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded the proposed endeavor in circuit breaker and EV charging technology has both substantial merit and national importance based on its broader implications for electrical engineering, commercial implementation, and dissemination to the field.

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 concluded the proposed endeavor in circuit breaker and EV charging technology has both substantial merit and national importance based on its broader implications for electrical engineering, commercial implementation, and dissemination to the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-22_02_B5203; source_row=37140
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary is well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.

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 agreed with the Director that the Beneficiary is well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-22_02_B5203; source_row=37141
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO concluded the Beneficiary's contributions in a critical and emerging technology area (Clean Energy Generation and Storage), combined with his track record, would benefit the United States on balance even assuming qualified U.S. workers are available.

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 concluded the Beneficiary's contributions in a critical and emerging technology area (Clean Energy Generation and Storage), combined with his track record, would benefit the United States on balance even assuming qualified U.S. workers are available.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-22_02_B5203; source_row=37142
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO deemed the third prong waived because the Petitioner did not address or contest the Director's findings regarding the third prong in her appeal letter.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO deemed the third prong waived because the Petitioner did not address or contest the Director's findings regarding the third prong in her appeal letter.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-22_05_B5203; source_row=37157
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

The proposed endeavor of opening a bakery to introduce Brazilian cuisine does not demonstrate the type of broader national implications required by the first Dhanasar prong, such as improved manufacturing processes, medical advances, or significant potential to employ U.S. workers in an economically depressed area.

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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The proposed endeavor of opening a bakery to introduce Brazilian cuisine does not demonstrate the type of broader national implications required by the first Dhanasar prong, such as improved manufacturing processes, medical advances, or significant potential to employ U.S. workers in an economically depressed area.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-22_04_B5203; source_row=37152
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO acknowledges substantial merit but finds the Petitioner did not show national importance: her wound care clinic, teaching plans, and projected economic effects would primarily benefit her patients/students rather than impact the broader field; the business plan and economic-impact study lack supporting bases.

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 acknowledges substantial merit but finds the Petitioner did not show national importance: her wound care clinic, teaching plans, and projected economic effects would primarily benefit her patients/students rather than impact the broader field; the business plan and economic-impact study lack supporting bases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-19_03_B5203; source_row=37114
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

While the AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit, the record does not show that the Petitioner's day-to-day management and sales training services would have broader implications in his industry or generate substantial positive economic effects indicative of national importance. The evidence relates to the value of immigrant entrepreneurship generally, not to the specific prospective impact of this particular endeavor.

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 +
While the AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit, the record does not show that the Petitioner's day-to-day management and sales training services would have broader implications in his industry or generate substantial positive economic effects indicative of national importance. The evidence relates to the value of immigrant entrepreneurship generally, not to the specific prospective impact of this particular endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-19_06_B5203; source_row=37123
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 agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but found it lacks national importance. The Petitioner failed to demonstrate sufficient economic impact, did not show the company's future staffing or activity would provide substantial economic benefits, did not establish that his operating area is economically depressed, and did not show broader industry implications or original innovations beyond serving his clients.

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 endeavor has substantial merit but found it lacks national importance. The Petitioner failed to demonstrate sufficient economic impact, did not show the company's future staffing or activity would provide substantial economic benefits, did not establish that his operating area is economically depressed, and did not show broader industry implications or original innovations beyond serving his clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-19_07_B5203; source_row=37126
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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