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 5451–5460

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Experience with D-R-I-

Why AAO was not persuaded

The D-R-I- evidence did not include a required employer letter under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1), its absence was unexplained, and D-R-I- was not listed on the labor certification. The evidence was therefore insufficient.

Why this is useful

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

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The D-R-I- evidence did not include a required employer letter under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1), its absence was unexplained, and D-R-I- was not listed on the labor certification. The evidence was therefore insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-27_03_B5203; source_row=36616
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Experience with C-L-L- (8 months)

Why the evidence was persuasive

Despite C-L-L- not being listed on the labor certification (which reduced credibility), the combination of the employer letter, salary certificate, pay statements, and income tax form was sufficient to overcome the credibility concern and establish 8 months of qualifying experience.

Why this is useful

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

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Despite C-L-L- not being listed on the labor certification (which reduced credibility), the combination of the employer letter, salary certificate, pay statements, and income tax form was sufficient to overcome the credibility concern and establish 8 months of qualifying experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-27_03_B5203; source_row=36614
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

The AAO explicitly declined to reach prong two because the Petitioner failed to meet prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO explicitly declined to reach prong two because the Petitioner failed to meet prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-27_01_B5203; source_row=36607
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

The AAO explicitly declined to reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to meet prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO explicitly declined to reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to meet prong one, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-27_01_B5203; source_row=36608
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner showed substantial merit in his initial proposed endeavor but did not establish national importance. The record lacked documentation showing how the platform would impact the field broadly beyond a local Massachusetts area, and there was no evidence of significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects nationally.…

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 found the Petitioner showed substantial merit in his initial proposed endeavor but did not establish national importance. The record lacked documentation showing how the platform would impact the field broadly beyond a local Massachusetts area, and there was no evidence of significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects nationally. AAO also refused to consider the materially changed endeavor (owning and operating an educational entity) first introduced at the RFE stage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-26_03_B5203; source_row=36595
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the Petitioner's education, skills, and citation record are positive factors, AAO found that his plan for future activities was insufficiently concrete—he lacks a current research position, has not provided evidence of support or funding from a university, and his stated intention requires employment he has not documented.…

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
While the Petitioner's education, skills, and citation record are positive factors, AAO found that his plan for future activities was insufficiently concrete—he lacks a current research position, has not provided evidence of support or funding from a university, and his stated intention requires employment he has not documented. Evidence of government agency funding (DARPA, USDA, USARL) was not established to be directly awarded to the Petitioner personally, unlike in Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-26_04_B5203; source_row=36599
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 previously agreed with the Director and found the Petitioner had not shown her endeavor would extend beyond her company and its clientele to impact the physical therapy or home healthcare industry broadly at a level commensurate with national importance, nor demonstrated significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.

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 previously agreed with the Director and found the Petitioner had not shown her endeavor would extend beyond her company and its clientele to impact the physical therapy or home healthcare industry broadly at a level commensurate with national importance, nor demonstrated significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-26_01_B5203; source_row=36589
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 the United States

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong 3 because prong 1 was dispositive and the motions were untimely.

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 3 because prong 1 was dispositive and the motions were untimely.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-26_01_B5203; source_row=36591
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 proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not reach prong 2 because prong 1 was dispositive and the motions were untimely.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO did not reach prong 2 because prong 1 was dispositive and the motions were untimely.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-26_01_B5203; source_row=36590
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the record demonstrates national interest in improved autonomous robotics technology, including for national security, infrastructure and transportation, and emergency response.

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 with the Director that the record demonstrates national interest in improved autonomous robotics technology, including for national security, infrastructure and transportation, and emergency response.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-26_04_B5203; source_row=36598
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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