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 5891–5900

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

The expert opinion is general and does not address specific financial figures for the proposed employer; the Petitioner's tax projections are inconsistent with his claimed $5 million figure; and the endeavor's impact does not reach beyond the specific employer or have broader implications in residential construction.

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The expert opinion is general and does not address specific financial figures for the proposed employer; the Petitioner's tax projections are inconsistent with his claimed $5 million figure; and the endeavor's impact does not reach beyond the specific employer or have broader implications in residential construction.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-12_02_B5203; source_row=35887
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 agreed the proposal has substantial merit (economic benefit potential) but found the Petitioner did not demonstrate national importance because she lacked a business plan with projected revenues and employees, had not shown her services would support an economically depressed area, had not indicated how many businesses she would serve, and had not demonstrated her techniques would introduce advancements to the field.…

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AAO agreed the proposal has substantial merit (economic benefit potential) but found the Petitioner did not demonstrate national importance because she lacked a business plan with projected revenues and employees, had not shown her services would support an economically depressed area, had not indicated how many businesses she would serve, and had not demonstrated her techniques would introduce advancements to the field. Expert letters failed to explain how the Petitioner's particular proposed endeavor, as opposed to commercial management services generally, has national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_05_B5203; source_row=35874
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

The AAO found that broad industry data and statistics about the oil and gas industry or private equity in general did not demonstrate the national importance of the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor. The Fund 1 proposal lacked context showing that the scope of the project would impact the industry or economy at a broader level, and the Petitioner's assertions about job creation were insufficiently supported.…

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The AAO found that broad industry data and statistics about the oil and gas industry or private equity in general did not demonstrate the national importance of the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor. The Fund 1 proposal lacked context showing that the scope of the project would impact the industry or economy at a broader level, and the Petitioner's assertions about job creation were insufficiently supported. Reference letters addressed the Petitioner's skills and the importance of private equity generally, not the national importance of his specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_03_B5203; source_row=35867
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reaffirmed its prior finding that while the endeavor has substantial merit, the evidence was insufficient to establish national importance. The Petitioner failed to explain national implications of projected revenue and workers, how her business would benefit an economically depressed area, and her business would only tutor a tiny fraction of U.S. children.

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AAO reaffirmed its prior finding that while the endeavor has substantial merit, the evidence was insufficient to establish national importance. The Petitioner failed to explain national implications of projected revenue and workers, how her business would benefit an economically depressed area, and her business would only tutor a tiny fraction of U.S. children.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_01_B5203; source_row=35860
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 Petitioner's proposed endeavor of piloting, flight instructing, and training would not impact the field broadly or provide substantial positive economic effects at the national level. The pilot shortage does not make the individual's proposed endeavor nationally important, and such shortages are addressed through the labor certification process, not the NIW.

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AAO found the Petitioner's proposed endeavor of piloting, flight instructing, and training would not impact the field broadly or provide substantial positive economic effects at the national level. The pilot shortage does not make the individual's proposed endeavor nationally important, and such shortages are addressed through the labor certification process, not the NIW.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_02_B5203; source_row=35864
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination (exceptional ability)

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue because the NIW Dhanasar analysis is dispositive. AAO noted the Director's failure to address final merits in the RFE was error but harmless given the outcome under Dhanasar.

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AAO reserved this issue because the NIW Dhanasar analysis is dispositive. AAO noted the Director's failure to address final merits in the RFE was error but harmless given the outcome under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_02_B5203; source_row=35863
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO previously reserved consideration of the second and third prongs after finding the national importance element unmet, and did not revisit them on this motion.

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AAO previously reserved consideration of the second and third prongs after finding the national importance element unmet, and did not revisit them on this motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_01_B5203; source_row=35861
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO previously reserved consideration of the third prong and did not revisit it on this motion.

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AAO previously reserved consideration of the third prong and did not revisit it on this motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_01_B5203; source_row=35862
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

What the decision said

AAO deemed the issue waived because Petitioner did not address the Director's conclusion on appeal.

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AAO deemed the issue waived because Petitioner did not address the Director's conclusion on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_04_B5203; source_row=35873
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed merit was shown but found Petitioner's evidence focused on her own credentials and the importance of the dental field generally rather than the specific endeavor's prospective broader impact, economic effects, or job creation.

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AAO agreed merit was shown but found Petitioner's evidence focused on her own credentials and the importance of the dental field generally rather than the specific endeavor's prospective broader impact, economic effects, or job creation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-09_04_B5203; source_row=35870
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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