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 5471–5480

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, the AAO expressly declined to reach and reserved the question of whether the Petitioner is well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.

Why this is useful

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

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Because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, the AAO expressly declined to reach and reserved the question of whether the Petitioner is well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-22_01_B5203; source_row=36566
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, the AAO expressly declined to reach and reserved the question of whether a waiver would be beneficial to the United States.

Why this is useful

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

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Because the Petitioner failed to establish prong one, the AAO expressly declined to reach and reserved the question of whether a waiver would be beneficial to the United States.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-22_01_B5203; source_row=36567
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

individual of exceptional ability

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the exceptional ability question because the NIW analysis was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO declined to reach the exceptional ability question because the NIW analysis was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-22_03_B5203; source_row=36571
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification via bachelor's plus five years progressive post-baccalaureate experience

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO reviewed the entire record and concluded the Petitioner did establish by a preponderance of the evidence that he possessed five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience as of the filing date, withdrawing the Director's contrary finding.

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AAO reviewed the entire record and concluded the Petitioner did establish by a preponderance of the evidence that he possessed five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience as of the filing date, withdrawing the Director's contrary finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-22_05_B5203; source_row=36578
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the combined employment letters fell short of four years and that the hostess role did not constitute progressive experience in the ice cream manufacturing and sales specialty. The Petitioner's self-employment claim was insufficiently documented—only her own statement, affidavit, and resume were submitted, with overlapping employment dates adding further uncertainty.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed the combined employment letters fell short of four years and that the hostess role did not constitute progressive experience in the ice cream manufacturing and sales specialty. The Petitioner's self-employment claim was insufficiently documented—only her own statement, affidavit, and resume were submitted, with overlapping employment dates adding further uncertainty.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_03_B5203; source_row=36550
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 concluded the endeavor has substantial merit but does not have national importance: the projected job creation is based on industry standards rather than specifics of this endeavor, the staffing levels are not substantial, and the record does not show the business will impact the physical fitness field more broadly than its direct clients.

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 concluded the endeavor has substantial merit but does not have national importance: the projected job creation is based on industry standards rather than specifics of this endeavor, the staffing levels are not substantial, and the record does not show the business will impact the physical fitness field more broadly than its direct clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_05_B5203; source_row=36559
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that his department or university has a distinguished reputation, AAO reserved the question of whether he performed in a leading or critical role under Bagamasbad.

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Because the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that his department or university has a distinguished reputation, AAO reserved the question of whether he performed in a leading or critical role under Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_03_B2203; source_row=36548
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not demonstrate how his cumulative citations or any individual article constitutes an original contribution of major significance. Aggregate citation figures reflect an overall publication record rather than identifying majorly significant research, and all remaining assertions (impact factor, YouTube channel, journal comparisons) were unsubstantiated by documentary evidence.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner did not demonstrate how his cumulative citations or any individual article constitutes an original contribution of major significance. Aggregate citation figures reflect an overall publication record rather than identifying majorly significant research, and all remaining assertions (impact factor, YouTube channel, journal comparisons) were unsubstantiated by documentary evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_03_B2203; source_row=36546
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The article was not about the Petitioner but about a computer model in which he is credited as one of the creators. Additionally, the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that technologyreview.com qualifies as a professional or major trade publication or other major medium, as no circulation figures or supported audience data were submitted.

Why this is useful

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

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The article was not about the Petitioner but about a computer model in which he is credited as one of the creators. Additionally, the Petitioner failed to provide evidence that technologyreview.com qualifies as a professional or major trade publication or other major medium, as no circulation figures or supported audience data were submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_03_B2203; source_row=36544
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

The academic evaluation confirms the Petitioner's degree is the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree in phonoaudiology, not an advanced degree.

Why this is useful

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The academic evaluation confirms the Petitioner's degree is the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree in phonoaudiology, not an advanced degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_01_B5203; source_row=36528
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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