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 591600

NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringPostdoctoral ResearcherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's education, publication record, high citation rates relative to others in the field, and significant involvement in federally funded research projects position him well to advance his proposed endeavor.

Why this is useful

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AAO found that the Petitioner's education, publication record, high citation rates relative to others in the field, and significant involvement in federally funded research projects position him well to advance his proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_01_B5203; source_row=44373
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringPostdoctoral ResearcherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner's research in mechanical engineering — specifically atomic-scale engineering for solid oxide fuel cells and related technologies — has substantial merit and national importance, supported by expert letters, dissemination through journals and conferences, and the potential to advance a critical and emerging technology field.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Petitioner's research in mechanical engineering — specifically atomic-scale engineering for solid oxide fuel cells and related technologies — has substantial merit and national importance, supported by expert letters, dissemination through journals and conferences, and the potential to advance a critical and emerging technology field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_01_B5203; source_row=44372
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringPostdoctoral ResearcherPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, waiving the job offer requirement would benefit the United States

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the combination of an advanced STEM degree, engagement in STEM work important to U.S. competitiveness, a well-documented research plan with progress, and national and international academic support establishes that a waiver benefits the United States even if other qualified U.S. workers are available.

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 found that the combination of an advanced STEM degree, engagement in STEM work important to U.S. competitiveness, a well-documented research plan with progress, and national and international academic support establishes that a waiver benefits the United States even if other qualified U.S. workers are available.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_01_B5203; source_row=44374
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not address prong 2 substantively because prong 1 was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not address prong 2 substantively because prong 1 was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_02_B5203; source_row=44376
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other37 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's proposed cardio-oncology research has substantial merit and national importance, while concurring that his clinical work did not meet this prong.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's proposed cardio-oncology research has substantial merit and national importance, while concurring that his clinical work did not meet this prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_03_B5203; source_row=44386
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other37 citations

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the degree evaluation and supporting article demonstrated the M.B.B.S. is equivalent to a U.S. M.D., satisfying the advanced degree requirement, and withdrew the Director's contrary conclusion.

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AAO found that the degree evaluation and supporting article demonstrated the M.B.B.S. is equivalent to a U.S. M.D., satisfying the advanced degree requirement, and withdrew the Director's contrary conclusion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_03_B5203; source_row=44385
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO remanded prong three for reconsideration in light of the reanalysis of national importance, including the critical and emerging STEM technology considerations under USCIS Policy Manual.

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 remanded prong three for reconsideration in light of the reanalysis of national importance, including the critical and emerging STEM technology considerations under USCIS Policy Manual.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_08_B5203; source_row=44425
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO did not reach a final determination on national importance but found that SCOPS failed to adequately consider the potential prospective impact on critical and emerging technologies and remanded for reconsideration.

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 did not reach a final determination on national importance but found that SCOPS failed to adequately consider the potential prospective impact on critical and emerging technologies and remanded for reconsideration.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_08_B5203; source_row=44423
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO noted that SCOPS had found prong two satisfied and did not revisit it.

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 noted that SCOPS had found prong two satisfied and did not revisit it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_08_B5203; source_row=44424
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published materials about the alien in professional or major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted articles mention the Petitioner only incidentally as one of several co-founders and do not substantially discuss him or his work. The articles focus on the companies, their investors, or other co-founders rather than on the Petitioner himself.

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The submitted articles mention the Petitioner only incidentally as one of several co-founders and do not substantially discuss him or his work. The articles focus on the companies, their investors, or other co-founders rather than on the Petitioner himself.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-28_04_B2203; source_row=44391
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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