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 5771–5780

NIWlicense or certificationReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

license or certification

License to practice the profession or certification for a particular profession or occupation

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner had already failed to meet the three-criterion threshold and reaching it would be unnecessary to the result.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner had already failed to meet the three-criterion threshold and reaching it would be unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_10_B5203; source_row=36107
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination – exceptional ability

What the decision said

AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the three-criterion threshold, making the analysis unnecessary. AAO nonetheless noted in dicta that the record would not support a finding of exceptional ability.

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AAO reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the three-criterion threshold, making the analysis unnecessary. AAO nonetheless noted in dicta that the record would not support a finding of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_10_B5203; source_row=36110
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or equivalent (bachelor's + 5 years progressive experience)

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not raise this issue on appeal; AAO treated it as waived and confirmed the Director's finding on independent review.

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The Petitioner did not raise this issue on appeal; AAO treated it as waived and confirmed the Director's finding on independent review.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_10_B5203; source_row=36111
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

Membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director and additionally noted that registration of a business is not equivalent to individual membership, and that post-filing registration evidence and a pre-filing affiliation certificate nearly seven years old failed to establish timely eligibility.

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AAO agreed with the Director and additionally noted that registration of a business is not equivalent to individual membership, and that post-filing registration evidence and a pre-filing affiliation certificate nearly seven years old failed to establish timely eligibility.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_10_B5203; source_row=36108
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 did not independently address prong three because the first prong was dispositive.

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AAO did not independently address prong three because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_10_B5203; source_row=36114
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Criteria D and F (not raised on appeal)

What the decision said

AAO noted the Petitioner did not claim criteria D and F on appeal, treating them as waived.

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AAO noted the Petitioner did not claim criteria D and F on appeal, treating them as waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_10_B5203; source_row=36109
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

At least ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the letter did not state the Petitioner was a full-time employee for at least ten years, and other record evidence showed concurrent university studies and employment during the period in question.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the letter did not state the Petitioner was a full-time employee for at least ten years, and other record evidence showed concurrent university studies and employment during the period in question.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_10_B5203; source_row=36106
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

academic record

Academic record showing degree, diploma, certificate, or award relating to the occupation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO confirmed the record supports the Director's determination that the Petitioner meets criterion A.

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AAO confirmed the record supports the Director's determination that the Petitioner meets criterion A.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_10_B5203; source_row=36105
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 concluded the supplemental statement and articles focus on the importance of the construction industry generally rather than the Petitioner's specific endeavor, and that economic benefits were speculative without a direct evidentiary tie.

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AAO concluded the supplemental statement and articles focus on the importance of the construction industry generally rather than the Petitioner's specific endeavor, and that economic benefits were speculative without a direct evidentiary tie.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_02_B5203; source_row=36080
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license or certification for the profession (k)(3)(ii)(C)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the Linux junior operator certification was not shown to be tailored to or required for the Petitioner's occupation as an operations manager of computerized cuts.

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AAO concluded the Linux junior operator certification was not shown to be tailored to or required for the Petitioner's occupation as an operations manager of computerized cuts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-27_02_B5203; source_row=36076
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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