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 5431–5440

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that the judging criterion was met.

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AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that the judging criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_02_B2203; source_row=36642
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner's appeal contested only the final merits determination and did not rebut the Director's finding on this criterion, the AAO deemed it waived.

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Because the Petitioner's appeal contested only the final merits determination and did not rebut the Director's finding on this criterion, the AAO deemed it waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_03_B2203; source_row=36653
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

The AAO reserved the formal final merits determination because the threshold criteria count was not met, though it noted in dicta that the record does not support acclaim at the required level.

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The AAO reserved the formal final merits determination because the threshold criteria count was not met, though it noted in dicta that the record does not support acclaim at the required level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_03_B2203; source_row=36656
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO did not disturb the Director's favorable finding for the display criterion.

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The AAO did not disturb the Director's favorable finding for the display criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_03_B2203; source_row=36652
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated 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 address the second prong, as the first prong was found dispositive.

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AAO did not address the second prong, as the first prong was found dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-28_06_B5203; source_row=36672
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

commanded a salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not provide supporting evidence such as tax records or paystubs for his earnings claims, the earnings reports lacked a verifiable source, the Glassdoor comparison data was based on only six anonymous submissions covering salaries in Brazil rather than where the Petitioner appears to work, and the Petitioner did not explain how the comparison is relevant to his remuneration structure.

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The Petitioner did not provide supporting evidence such as tax records or paystubs for his earnings claims, the earnings reports lacked a verifiable source, the Glassdoor comparison data was based on only six anonymous submissions covering salaries in Brazil rather than where the Petitioner appears to work, and the Petitioner did not explain how the comparison is relevant to his remuneration structure.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-27_04_B5203; source_row=36620
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's Sport Referee's Record Book alone is insufficient without corroborating evidence such as event-specific credentials or official records. The evidence does not establish that a cycling referee's duties involve judging the work of competitors rather than enforcing rules.…

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The Petitioner's Sport Referee's Record Book alone is insufficient without corroborating evidence such as event-specific credentials or official records. The evidence does not establish that a cycling referee's duties involve judging the work of competitors rather than enforcing rules. New evidence including the retranslation submitted on appeal was not considered because the Petitioner had prior notice and opportunity to submit it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-27_01_B2203; source_row=36602
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Cyclingnews.com articles mention the Petitioner but are not about him—they are about race results and team selections. The Na Vyrost article lacks an author and date, and the publication appears to be local or regional rather than major media. The Petitioner also failed to establish Cyclingnews.com's major status.

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The Cyclingnews.com articles mention the Petitioner but are not about him—they are about race results and team selections. The Na Vyrost article lacks an author and date, and the publication appears to be local or regional rather than major media. The Petitioner also failed to establish Cyclingnews.com's major status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-27_01_B2203; source_row=36601
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's general assertions about the benefits of dentistry, market statistics, and vague claims about disseminating knowledge lacked specific corroborated details. The FDOH communication was solicited by the Petitioner and did not constitute active recruitment or an attestation of national importance.…

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AAO found that the Petitioner's general assertions about the benefits of dentistry, market statistics, and vague claims about disseminating knowledge lacked specific corroborated details. The FDOH communication was solicited by the Petitioner and did not constitute active recruitment or an attestation of national importance. The Petitioner's practice would serve only a limited number of patients, analogous to Dhanasar's teaching example.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-27_02_B5203; source_row=36609
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

The AAO agreed the proposed endeavor lacked national importance. The focus must be on the specific proposed endeavor—owning and operating a skills-training business for disadvantaged women—not on broader topics like gender equality.…

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 AAO agreed the proposed endeavor lacked national importance. The focus must be on the specific proposed endeavor—owning and operating a skills-training business for disadvantaged women—not on broader topics like gender equality. The Petitioner's business plan contained no employment projections and projected only $155K in first-year revenue, which was insufficient to demonstrate substantial positive economic effects at a national level. The record did not show broader implications beyond the Petitioner's local prospective clients in the South Carolina area. The AAO also declined to consider a revised business plan submitted for the first time on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-27_01_B5203; source_row=36606
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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