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 5421–5430

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the second prong, reserving the issue because the first prong finding was dispositive.

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 explicitly declined to reach the second prong, reserving the issue because the first prong finding was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_05_B5203; source_row=36669
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license to practice the profession or certification

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record includes several licenses demonstrating the Petitioner's authorization to pilot commercial aircraft, 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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The record includes several licenses demonstrating the Petitioner's authorization to pilot commercial aircraft, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_03_B5203; source_row=36659
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters described the Petitioner's value to his company and peers but were not supplemented by evidence of specific achievements or significant contributions to the broader aviation industry or the field of commercial flight.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The letters described the Petitioner's value to his company and peers but were not supplemented by evidence of specific achievements or significant contributions to the broader aviation industry or the field of commercial flight.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_03_B5203; source_row=36662
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years of full-time experience

What the decision said

The Petitioner stated on appeal that he does not contest the Director's conclusion regarding this criterion, so the issue is waived.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner stated on appeal that he does not contest the Director's conclusion regarding this criterion, so the issue is waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_03_B5203; source_row=36658
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record

Why the evidence was persuasive

The record includes a certificate for completion of aviation programs at training schools and several additional training certificates, including the FAA Airline Transport Pilot certification, satisfying this criterion.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The record includes a certificate for completion of aviation programs at training schools and several additional training certificates, including the FAA Airline Transport Pilot certification, satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_03_B5203; source_row=36657
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

required initial evidence (Form ETA 750B / ETA 9089)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The regulation at 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(4)(ii) requires submission of Form ETA 750B or equivalent parts of Form ETA 9089. The Petitioner did not submit this required initial evidence at filing or in response to the RFE, providing an independent basis for denial.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The regulation at 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(4)(ii) requires submission of Form ETA 750B or equivalent parts of Form ETA 9089. The Petitioner did not submit this required initial evidence at filing or in response to the RFE, providing an independent basis for denial.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_02_B5203; source_row=36650
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 declined to reach the second prong because the failure to establish national importance under the first prong 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.

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to reach the second prong because the failure to establish national importance under the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_02_B5203; source_row=36648
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

What the decision said

AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure 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 reserved the third prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_01_B5203; source_row=36641
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved the second prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure on the first prong.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved the second prong as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_01_B5203; source_row=36640
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner's work in Cell provoked widespread commentary, was highly cited relative to peers, and was supported by detailed expert letters establishing original contribution of major significance. AAO also found the Director erred by importing the national or international acclaim standard into this step-1 criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the Petitioner's work in Cell provoked widespread commentary, was highly cited relative to peers, and was supported by detailed expert letters establishing original contribution of major significance. AAO also found the Director erred by importing the national or international acclaim standard into this step-1 criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_02_B2203; source_row=36643
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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