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 5731–5740

EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

command of a high salary or other significantly high remuneration

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue because the Petitioner could not fulfill the initial evidentiary requirement of meeting at least three criteria, making a ruling on this criterion unnecessary to the result.

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AAO reserved this issue because the Petitioner could not fulfill the initial evidentiary requirement of meeting at least three criteria, making a ruling on this criterion unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_01_B2203; source_row=36142
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the criterion was not met because the Petitioner provided no objective evidence to support her translation argument, and her evidence and assertions did not sufficiently address the Director's concerns.

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AAO agreed the criterion was not met because the Petitioner provided no objective evidence to support her translation argument, and her evidence and assertions did not sufficiently address the Director's concerns.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_01_B2203; source_row=36141
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

one-time major internationally recognized award

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusion on appeal, so the issue was deemed waived.

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's conclusion on appeal, so the issue was deemed waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_01_B2203; source_row=36137
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed the criterion is met based on the numerous awards the Petitioner received, including multiple first-place finishes at various MMA and judo championships.

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AAO agreed the criterion is met based on the numerous awards the Petitioner received, including multiple first-place finishes at various MMA and judo championships.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_01_B2203; source_row=36138
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved this issue as unnecessary to reach given the Petitioner's failure to establish the first and second prongs.

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AAO explicitly reserved this issue as unnecessary to reach given the Petitioner's failure to establish the first and second prongs.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_05_B5203; source_row=36158
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 the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong three because the failure to establish prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO declined to reach prong three because the failure to establish prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_06_B5203; source_row=36161
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 declined to reach prong two because the failure to establish prong one was dispositive of the appeal.

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AAO declined to reach prong two because the failure to establish prong one was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-29_06_B5203; source_row=36160
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the proposed endeavor of owning and operating a software company had not been shown to have broader implications beyond its prospective clients. Arguments about STEM shortages, immigrant entrepreneurship, and expert opinion did not demonstrate how the endeavor would impact the field or the U.S. economy more broadly at a level commensurate with national importance.…

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AAO found that the proposed endeavor of owning and operating a software company had not been shown to have broader implications beyond its prospective clients. Arguments about STEM shortages, immigrant entrepreneurship, and expert opinion did not demonstrate how the endeavor would impact the field or the U.S. economy more broadly at a level commensurate with national importance. Revenue and employment projections in the business plan were too modest and localized to satisfy the 'substantial positive economic effects' standard.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-28_03_B5203; source_row=36131
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the proposed endeavor has substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner's plan to provide consulting services would not extend sufficiently beyond her clients and/or employers to impact the financial management industry broadly. Unsupported assertions about economic impact and job creation were insufficient, and the letters of recommendation did not provide persuasive detail about broader impact.

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AAO found the proposed endeavor has substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner's plan to provide consulting services would not extend sufficiently beyond her clients and/or employers to impact the financial management industry broadly. Unsupported assertions about economic impact and job creation were insufficient, and the letters of recommendation did not provide persuasive detail about broader impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-28_04_B5203; source_row=36134
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 agreed that the Petitioner's evidence — including the business plan, personal statement, expert letter, and client testimonial — did not demonstrate that the endeavor's prospective impact would extend beyond the Petitioner's company and its clients to reach a level of substantial positive economic effects nationally. The expert letter lacked numerical analysis and the client letter did not show broader national impact.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's evidence — including the business plan, personal statement, expert letter, and client testimonial — did not demonstrate that the endeavor's prospective impact would extend beyond the Petitioner's company and its clients to reach a level of substantial positive economic effects nationally. The expert letter lacked numerical analysis and the client letter did not show broader national impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-28_01_B5203; source_row=36125
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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