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 5281–5290

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 shown but national importance was not. The expert opinion letter addressed only event planning and not the supermarket component; the business plan lacked detailed basis for projections; and current sales and job creation projections did not rise to the level of substantial positive economic effects at a national scale.

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 agreed substantial merit was shown but national importance was not. The expert opinion letter addressed only event planning and not the supermarket component; the business plan lacked detailed basis for projections; and current sales and job creation projections did not rise to the level of substantial positive economic effects at a national scale.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_05_B5203; source_row=36868
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 endeavor lacks national importance because the Petitioner focused on the importance of the industry rather than his specific endeavor, and provided no evidence (study, business plan, projections) showing implications beyond his direct employer or trainees. The Petitioner himself acknowledged his work was not akin to groundbreaking technology.

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 lacks national importance because the Petitioner focused on the importance of the industry rather than his specific endeavor, and provided no evidence (study, business plan, projections) showing implications beyond his direct employer or trainees. The Petitioner himself acknowledged his work was not akin to groundbreaking technology.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_06_B5203; source_row=36871
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

Without evidence of the membership requirements of the union, AAO could not conclude it qualifies as a professional association under the regulatory definition requiring a baccalaureate degree minimum or listing in section 101(a)(32) of the Act.

Why this is useful

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

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Without evidence of the membership requirements of the union, AAO could not conclude it qualifies as a professional association under the regulatory definition requiring a baccalaureate degree minimum or listing in section 101(a)(32) of the Act.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_03_B5203; source_row=36862
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

commanding high salary or remuneration

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's capital shares were paid-in capital, not salary or remuneration for services. His actual taxable income was significantly below the market average salary. The catho.com data was also unreliable for comparison purposes.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner's capital shares were paid-in capital, not salary or remuneration for services. His actual taxable income was significantly below the market average salary. The catho.com data was also unreliable for comparison purposes.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_03_B5203; source_row=36861
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated 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 reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making it unnecessary to reach prong three.

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 reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making it unnecessary to reach prong three.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_03_B5203; source_row=36867
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years full-time experience (employer letters)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The only letter submitted was from the Petitioner's foreign accountant, who was not the Petitioner's employer, and the letter did not describe any job duties. The criterion requires letters from current or former employers with a specific description of duties.

Why this is useful

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

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The only letter submitted was from the Petitioner's foreign accountant, who was not the Petitioner's employer, and the letter did not describe any job duties. The criterion requires letters from current or former employers with a specific description of duties.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_03_B5203; source_row=36859
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making it unnecessary to reach prong two.

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 reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, making it unnecessary to reach prong two.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_03_B5203; source_row=36866
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

academic record / degree

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the submitted diploma and transcript sufficient to establish the academic record 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 submitted diploma and transcript sufficient to establish the academic record criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_03_B5203; source_row=36858
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions

Why AAO was not persuaded

Client recommendation letters demonstrated that the Petitioner is well-regarded by clients but did not document specific achievements or significant contributions to the industry or field as required.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
Client recommendation letters demonstrated that the Petitioner is well-regarded by clients but did not document specific achievements or significant contributions to the industry or field as required.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_03_B5203; source_row=36863
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong, finding it unnecessary given the dispositive failure under the first prong.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong, finding it unnecessary given the dispositive failure under the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-04-08_07_B5203; source_row=36876
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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