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 5911–5920

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that while the evidence shows the employer has won prestigious awards in the sport, this does not demonstrate that the company itself has a distinguished reputation as required by the regulation.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that while the evidence shows the employer has won prestigious awards in the sport, this does not demonstrate that the company itself has a distinguished reputation as required by the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_03_B2203; source_row=35825
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the Petitioner's worldwide ranking has dropped, his competition wins do not cumulatively demonstrate sustained acclaim or placement at the top of the field, and his training work has not been recognized at the national or international level.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that the Petitioner's worldwide ranking has dropped, his competition wins do not cumulatively demonstrate sustained acclaim or placement at the top of the field, and his training work has not been recognized at the national or international level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_03_B2203; source_row=35826
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the reference letters do not establish that the Petitioner created an original method of training that contributed to the broader show jumping or equestrian community, nor do they show that the results have been of major significance to the field. The AAO also rejected the argument that reference letters should be treated as comparable evidence under 8 C.F.R.…

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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The AAO found that the reference letters do not establish that the Petitioner created an original method of training that contributed to the broader show jumping or equestrian community, nor do they show that the results have been of major significance to the field. The AAO also rejected the argument that reference letters should be treated as comparable evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(4), having considered them under the plain language of the criterion instead.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_03_B2203; source_row=35823
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementPhysician

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the evidence addressed the importance of the frozen fruit distribution industry and the Petitioner's personal skills and qualifications rather than the national importance of the specific proposed endeavor.…

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 found the evidence addressed the importance of the frozen fruit distribution industry and the Petitioner's personal skills and qualifications rather than the national importance of the specific proposed endeavor. The projected job creation and revenue figures lacked evidentiary foundation, and neither the expert letter nor the business plans demonstrated that the endeavor's impact would rise to the level of national importance contemplated by Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_06_B5203; source_row=35836
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 business plan and supporting evidence failed to show broader implications for the information technology field. The projected job creation of 13 positions and nearly one million dollars in wages by year five did not rise to the level of national importance, and the expert opinion focused on general industry importance rather than the specific prospective impact of the Petitioner's endeavor.

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 found that the business plan and supporting evidence failed to show broader implications for the information technology field. The projected job creation of 13 positions and nearly one million dollars in wages by year five did not rise to the level of national importance, and the expert opinion focused on general industry importance rather than the specific prospective impact of the Petitioner's endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_07_B5203; source_row=35839
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner's business plan and supporting materials only addressed general assertions about fostering small businesses and did not establish broader national impact beyond the incubator itself and its customers. The expert opinion letter did not mention the virtual incubator and addressed only general management experience. Revenue projections concerned the incubator's own benefit, not national importance.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed that the Petitioner's business plan and supporting materials only addressed general assertions about fostering small businesses and did not establish broader national impact beyond the incubator itself and its customers. The expert opinion letter did not mention the virtual incubator and addressed only general management experience. Revenue projections concerned the incubator's own benefit, not national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_02_B5203; source_row=35818
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 the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved review of the third prong because the first prong was dispositive.

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 reserved review of the third prong because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_11_B5203; source_row=35857
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved review of the second prong because the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO reserved review of the second prong because the first prong was dispositive of the appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_11_B5203; source_row=35856
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner submitted letters describing with specificity whose work and what type of work she judged as juror for a regional civic-tech hackathon and reviewer for a Uruguayan transparency award, plus press releases and articles, and the Director failed to acknowledge or explain why this evidence was insufficient.…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the Petitioner submitted letters describing with specificity whose work and what type of work she judged as juror for a regional civic-tech hackathon and reviewer for a Uruguayan transparency award, plus press releases and articles, and the Director failed to acknowledge or explain why this evidence was insufficient. AAO further held that any concerns about the level of acclaim of her judging duties belonged in the final merits determination, not the initial criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_02_B2203; source_row=35812
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

AAO reserved this criterion because three criteria were already satisfied.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved this criterion because three criteria were already satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-02-08_02_B2203; source_row=35814
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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