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 5701–5710

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

critical or leading role for distinguished organization

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that a detailed letter from a product development supervisor described the Petitioner's leading role in developing a new cryogenic pipe support product line and managing the transition of manufacturing from China to North America, supported by documentation about the company's distinguished reputation.

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AAO found that a detailed letter from a product development supervisor described the Petitioner's leading role in developing a new cryogenic pipe support product line and managing the transition of manufacturing from China to North America, supported by documentation about the company's distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_01_B2203; source_row=36190
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that documentation in the record, including credible expert letters, established the professionalism of the trade publication and the reputability of the conferences where the Petitioner presented.

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AAO found that documentation in the record, including credible expert letters, established the professionalism of the trade publication and the reputability of the conferences where the Petitioner presented.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_01_B2203; source_row=36189
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted the aggregate record did not demonstrate sustained acclaim.

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted the aggregate record did not demonstrate sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-04_03_B2203; source_row=36217
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner's marketing experience in Brazil did not translate to a record of success in operating a U.S.-based business; her business plan did not substitute for actual business experience; she failed to corroborate her claimed startup funds; the recommendation letters did not address activities similar to the proposed U.S.…

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AAO found the Petitioner's marketing experience in Brazil did not translate to a record of success in operating a U.S.-based business; her business plan did not substitute for actual business experience; she failed to corroborate her claimed startup funds; the recommendation letters did not address activities similar to the proposed U.S. endeavor; and the single commitment letter was untimely, insufficiently detailed, and unaccompanied by corroborating evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_04_B5203; source_row=36185
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other3,200 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's determination, noting that the citation record at filing (1,608 citations) was insufficient to show major significance, that journal impact factor does not demonstrate an individual author's influence, and that the record lacked evidence others had employed the Petitioner's findings in their own work to produce significant field-wide influence.…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's determination, noting that the citation record at filing (1,608 citations) was insufficient to show major significance, that journal impact factor does not demonstrate an individual author's influence, and that the record lacked evidence others had employed the Petitioner's findings in their own work to produce significant field-wide influence. Post-filing citations (3,200) cannot be considered as eligibility must be established at time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_01_B2203; source_row=36169
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found in the prior appellate decision that the Petitioner had not demonstrated she is well positioned to advance her proposed endeavor of operating an online school teaching medical terminologies. The motion submissions did not overcome this finding.

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 found in the prior appellate decision that the Petitioner had not demonstrated she is well positioned to advance her proposed endeavor of operating an online school teaching medical terminologies. The motion submissions did not overcome this finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_03_B5203; source_row=36182
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's favorable determination, finding the Petitioner failed to tie general economic growth and international competitiveness specifically to her endeavor, did not adequately explain how her business projections would be realized, and did not demonstrate substantial economic benefits or significant potential to employ U.S. workers in an economically depressed area at the level required by Dhanasar.…

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AAO withdrew the Director's favorable determination, finding the Petitioner failed to tie general economic growth and international competitiveness specifically to her endeavor, did not adequately explain how her business projections would be realized, and did not demonstrate substantial economic benefits or significant potential to employ U.S. workers in an economically depressed area at the level required by Dhanasar. The record also did not show her consulting services would impact the marketing field more broadly.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_04_B5203; source_row=36184
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 waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong two, making further analysis of the balancing factors unnecessary.

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AAO declined to reach prong three because the Petitioner failed to establish prong two, making further analysis of the balancing factors unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_04_B5203; source_row=36186
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the evidence — industry articles, personal statements, business plan projections, and expert letters — addressed the importance of the financial services field generally rather than demonstrating the specific prospective national impact of the Beneficiary's proposed endeavor.…

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AAO found that the evidence — industry articles, personal statements, business plan projections, and expert letters — addressed the importance of the financial services field generally rather than demonstrating the specific prospective national impact of the Beneficiary's proposed endeavor. The plan's projection of five employees and modest revenue forecasts did not establish substantial positive economic effects at the national level, and the expert letters lacked persuasive detail on how the endeavor's impact would extend beyond current and future clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_02_B5203; source_row=36178
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the first prong in the prior appellate decision and did not reach it on the present motion.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly reserved the first prong in the prior appellate decision and did not reach it on the present motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_03_B5203; source_row=36181
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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