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 5711–5720

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 the job offer requirement

What the decision said

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

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 explicitly reserved the third 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=36183
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the new evidence submitted on appeal — including rankings, awards, and media coverage demonstrating the employer's distinguished reputation — was credible and sufficient to establish that the Petitioner performed in a leading or critical role for an organization with a distinguished reputation.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the new evidence submitted on appeal — including rankings, awards, and media coverage demonstrating the employer's distinguished reputation — was credible and sufficient to establish that the Petitioner performed in a leading or critical role for an organization with a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_02_B2203; source_row=36175
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high remuneration for services

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the high remuneration for services criterion.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the high remuneration for services criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_02_B2203; source_row=36176
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others in the same or allied field

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the criterion for judging the work of others in the same or an allied field.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the criterion for judging the work of others in the same or an allied field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_02_B2203; source_row=36172
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other3,200 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO found the scholarly articles criterion satisfied.

Why this is useful

See how AAO evaluated whether the work qualified as scholarly authorship and what it showed in the full record.

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Both the Director and AAO found the scholarly articles criterion satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_01_B2203; source_row=36168
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other3,200 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly stated it need not reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed the initial evidence threshold, though it noted in an advisory comment that the record does not support sustained acclaim.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly stated it need not reach the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed the initial evidence threshold, though it noted in an advisory comment that the record does not support sustained acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_01_B2203; source_row=36170
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other3,200 citations

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO found the judging criterion satisfied.

Why this is useful

See how invitations, completed assignments, and the nature of judging were documented and weighed.

View full reasoning +
Both the Director and AAO found the judging criterion satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-03-01_01_B2203; source_row=36167
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the credential evaluation combining educational credentials and work experience does not satisfy the regulatory requirement for a single foreign equivalent bachelor's degree, and there is no regulatory provision allowing experience to substitute for education below the baccalaureate level.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director that the credential evaluation combining educational credentials and work experience does not satisfy the regulatory requirement for a single foreign equivalent bachelor's degree, and there is no regulatory provision allowing experience to substitute for education below the baccalaureate level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_07_B5203; source_row=36162
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The credential evaluation was based on a CV rather than employer letters as required by regulation, undermining its probative value. The employment letters did not confirm full-time status, and the Petitioner's own attestation on Form ETA 750 was insufficient without employer corroboration to show five years of full-time progressive experience.

Why this is useful

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

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The credential evaluation was based on a CV rather than employer letters as required by regulation, undermining its probative value. The employment letters did not confirm full-time status, and the Petitioner's own attestation on Form ETA 750 was insufficient without employer corroboration to show five years of full-time progressive experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_04_B5203; source_row=36152
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 disagreed with the Director on substantial merit, finding the nursing endeavor falls within the health domain and does have substantial merit. However, AAO agreed the endeavor lacked national importance because the evidence only showed impact on immediate employers, co-workers, and patients, without demonstrating broader implications, original innovations, economic impact, or job creation at a national level.…

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 disagreed with the Director on substantial merit, finding the nursing endeavor falls within the health domain and does have substantial merit. However, AAO agreed the endeavor lacked national importance because the evidence only showed impact on immediate employers, co-workers, and patients, without demonstrating broader implications, original innovations, economic impact, or job creation at a national level. The nursing shortage argument was also rejected as misplaced given the NIW's purpose and Schedule A availability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_04_B5203; source_row=36153
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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