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 5491–5500

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Exceptional ability (alternative EB-2 basis)

What the decision said

The Petitioner does not argue exceptional ability on appeal; because the issue was not raised on appeal, it is considered waived.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner does not argue exceptional ability on appeal; because the issue was not raised on appeal, it is considered waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_01_B5203; source_row=36530
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 explicitly declined to reach prong two because the failure under prong one is 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 prong two because the failure under prong one is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_01_B5203; source_row=36532
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 to waive job offer

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach prong three because the failure under prong one is dispositive.

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 prong three because the failure under prong one is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_01_B5203; source_row=36533
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

Multiple employment letters fail to meet 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) requirements or contain internal contradictions, and the only qualifying letter covers only approximately two years and eight months rather than five years.

Why this is useful

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

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Multiple employment letters fail to meet 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) requirements or contain internal contradictions, and the only qualifying letter covers only approximately two years and eight months rather than five years.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_01_B5203; source_row=36529
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

AAO formally reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed step one, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not support the required acclaim.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO formally reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed step one, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not support the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_02_B2203; source_row=36540
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

While the evidence shows the Petitioner's work positively impacted specific businesses and an art program, it does not demonstrate how her designs or creations significantly impacted the broader field of fashion design.

Why this is useful

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

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While the evidence shows the Petitioner's work positively impacted specific businesses and an art program, it does not demonstrate how her designs or creations significantly impacted the broader field of fashion design.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_02_B2203; source_row=36537
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not address the Director's analysis of this criterion on appeal, so the issue is deemed waived.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner did not address the Director's analysis of this criterion on appeal, so the issue is deemed waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_02_B2203; source_row=36534
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 explicitly reserved prong two because the failure on prong one 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 explicitly reserved prong two because the failure on prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_06_B5203; source_row=36563
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 to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved prong three because the failure on prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

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 reserved prong three because the failure on prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_06_B5203; source_row=36564
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

What the decision said

AAO reserved criterion (viii) because the Petitioner had already failed to meet at least three criteria based on the criteria that were addressed, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved criterion (viii) because the Petitioner had already failed to meet at least three criteria based on the criteria that were addressed, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-21_04_B2203; source_row=36558
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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