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 5801–5810

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 and labor certification requirements

What the decision said

AAO reserved consideration of prong 3 as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish prong 1.

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AAO reserved consideration of prong 3 as unnecessary to the ultimate decision given the failure to establish prong 1.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-22_03_B5203; source_row=36048
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 declined to conduct a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed to meet the initial evidence threshold, but noted in aggregate review that the record does not establish sustained national or international 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 in aggregate review that the record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-22_01_B2203; source_row=36039
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

Commercial successes in the performing arts

What the decision said

The Petitioner abandoned this criterion in response to a prior request for evidence and did not assert it on appeal.

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The Petitioner abandoned this criterion in response to a prior request for evidence and did not assert it on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-22_01_B2203; source_row=36038
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's finding, concluding that the Petitioner did not establish a meaningful distinction between the endeavor and his proposed self-employment, and that his contentions did not overcome the basis for denial or establish the endeavor's national importance.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's finding, concluding that the Petitioner did not establish a meaningful distinction between the endeavor and his proposed self-employment, and that his contentions did not overcome the basis for denial or establish the endeavor's national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-21_02_B5203; source_row=36018
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

sustained national or international acclaim – final merits

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained acclaim, agreeing that the recency of acclaim is required by the plain language of the Act and regulations. Awards received in 2012 or earlier with no subsequent evidence of recognition do not satisfy the 'sustained' requirement. The prior O-1 approval was non-determinative, and additional evidence submitted on appeal was not considered.

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AAO affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained acclaim, agreeing that the recency of acclaim is required by the plain language of the Act and regulations. Awards received in 2012 or earlier with no subsequent evidence of recognition do not satisfy the 'sustained' requirement. The prior O-1 approval was non-determinative, and additional evidence submitted on appeal was not considered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-21_03_B5203; source_row=36027
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · AwardsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

prizes or awards

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion based on documentation of nationally and internationally recognized prizes.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion based on documentation of nationally and internationally recognized prizes.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-21_03_B5203; source_row=36021
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion through evidence of a high salary in relation to others in her field.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion through evidence of a high salary in relation to others in her field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-21_03_B5203; source_row=36026
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion through authorship of scholarly articles in professional publications.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion through authorship of scholarly articles in professional publications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-21_03_B5203; source_row=36024
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion through performance in a leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputations.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner met this criterion through performance in a leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-21_03_B5203; source_row=36025
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the alien in major media

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found, and AAO agreed, that the Petitioner met this criterion as the subject of published material in major media.

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The Director found, and AAO agreed, that the Petitioner met this criterion as the subject of published material in major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-21_02_B2203; source_row=36015
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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