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 511520

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 substantial merit was established but found national importance lacking, emphasizing the academy's local scope, limited training capacity, small projected workforce (15 employees), and unsubstantiated claims of nationwide impact or substantial effect on economically depressed areas.

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AAO agreed substantial merit was established but found national importance lacking, emphasizing the academy's local scope, limited training capacity, small projected workforce (15 employees), and unsubstantiated claims of nationwide impact or substantial effect on economically depressed areas.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_06_B5203; source_row=44513
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The bank statements did not substantiate the claimed earnings—they showed only a single deposit of 900 KZT—and the comparison data was too broad, covering consultants and chief consultants across any industry rather than those in the Petitioner's specific field.

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The bank statements did not substantiate the claimed earnings—they showed only a single deposit of 900 KZT—and the comparison data was too broad, covering consultants and chief consultants across any industry rather than those in the Petitioner's specific field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_01_B2203; source_row=44494
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted documents established employment with the organization but not membership in an association. Even assuming membership, the Petitioner did not show the organization requires outstanding achievements of its members as judged by recognized national or international experts.

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

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The submitted documents established employment with the organization but not membership in an association. Even assuming membership, the Petitioner did not show the organization requires outstanding achievements of its members as judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_01_B2203; source_row=44492
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's field is business, not arts, and the evidence showed he organized events for a political party and approved design materials for political events rather than displaying his own work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.

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The Petitioner's field is business, not arts, and the evidence showed he organized events for a political party and approved design materials for political events rather than displaying his own work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_01_B2203; source_row=44493
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Petitioner established he received the medal and that it is nationally recognized in Kazakhstan, he failed to show the basis for granting the medal was excellence in his field. He provided no information about the criteria for granting the medal, its national significance in his field, the number of recipients, or limitations on competitors.

Why this is useful

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While the Petitioner established he received the medal and that it is nationally recognized in Kazakhstan, he failed to show the basis for granting the medal was excellence in his field. He provided no information about the criteria for granting the medal, its national significance in his field, the number of recipients, or limitations on competitors.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_01_B2203; source_row=44491
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 specifically explained in the prior appeal decision why the business plan and expert opinion letter were insufficient to establish national importance, and the third motion to reconsider did not identify any incorrect application of law or policy in that determination.

Why this is useful

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AAO specifically explained in the prior appeal decision why the business plan and expert opinion letter were insufficient to establish national importance, and the third motion to reconsider did not identify any incorrect application of law or policy in that determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_03_B5203; source_row=44501
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's 2019 pay records list his occupation as 'New Bank Technician' and the new salary comparison data is from October 2024, so the evidence does not allow a relevant comparison within the Petitioner's specific occupation and time period.

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The Petitioner's 2019 pay records list his occupation as 'New Bank Technician' and the new salary comparison data is from October 2024, so the evidence does not allow a relevant comparison within the Petitioner's specific occupation and time period.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_04_B5203; source_row=44505
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 found the Petitioner's daycare center plans would not extend beyond her clients, offered no original innovations, and lacked corroborated evidence of national or global implications in early childhood education.…

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Petitioner's daycare center plans would not extend beyond her clients, offered no original innovations, and lacked corroborated evidence of national or global implications in early childhood education. Unsupported revenue and employment projections and general claims in the business plans and expert opinion letter were insufficient to establish national-level economic impact or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_02_B5203; source_row=44498
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach Dhanasar's second prong because the failure to establish national importance under prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

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 declined to reach Dhanasar's second prong because the failure to establish national importance under prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_08_B5203; source_row=44520
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach Dhanasar's third prong because the failure to establish national importance under prong one 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 declined to reach Dhanasar's third prong because the failure to establish national importance under prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-05-01_08_B5203; source_row=44521
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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