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.
ten years of full-time experience (employer letters)
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner submitted a letter from his accountant and business registration documents, but the accountant was not a current or former employer, and the business registration lacked sufficient detail about duties and whether work was full-time. AAO agreed with the Director that the criterion was not met.
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The Petitioner submitted a letter from his accountant and business registration documents, but the accountant was not a current or former employer, and the business registration lacked sufficient detail about duties and whether work was full-time. AAO agreed with the Director that the criterion was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-30_04_B5203; source_row=35673 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 new W-2 evidence (showing only one employee earned over $10,000 in 2014 and a single 2016 W-2) did not show substantial positive economic effects, and the new evidence regarding magazine reputations was promotional rather than independent journalism. The expert letter focused on broad industry statistics rather than the specific 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 concluded the new W-2 evidence (showing only one employee earned over $10,000 in 2014 and a single 2016 W-2) did not show substantial positive economic effects, and the new evidence regarding magazine reputations was promotional rather than independent journalism. The expert letter focused on broad industry statistics rather than the specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-30_01_B5203; source_row=35663 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well positioned to advance the endeavor
What the decision said
In the underlying appeal, AAO withdrew the Director's determination on the second prong; this issue is not revisited substantively on motion since the first-prong failure is dispositive.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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In the underlying appeal, AAO withdrew the Director's determination on the second prong; this issue is not revisited substantively on motion since the first-prong failure is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-30_01_B5203; source_row=35664 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, beneficial to the United States
What the decision said
AAO reserved argument on the third prong in the prior appellate decision and does not reach it on motion because the first-prong failure remains 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 argument on the third prong in the prior appellate decision and does not reach it on motion because the first-prong failure remains dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-30_01_B5203; source_row=35665 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO independently determined that the foreign degrees plus over five years of progressive experience qualify the Petitioner as an advanced-degree professional.
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AAO independently determined that the foreign degrees plus over five years of progressive experience qualify the Petitioner as an advanced-degree professional.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-30_05_B5203; source_row=35682 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO agreed the entity was not shown to be a qualifying professional association and emphasized that the Petitioner joined only after the RFE issued, which is impermissible because eligibility must be established at filing.
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AAO agreed the entity was not shown to be a qualifying professional association and emphasized that the Petitioner joined only after the RFE issued, which is impermissible because eligibility must be established at filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-30_06_B5203; source_row=35688 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
high salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO withdrew the finding because the CPA letter lacked source breakdown, the Glassdoor figures were monthly while earnings were annual, mismatched in time period, and as a business owner the Petitioner did not establish that general-manager salary was a proper comparison.
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AAO withdrew the finding because the CPA letter lacked source breakdown, the Glassdoor figures were monthly while earnings were annual, mismatched in time period, and as a business owner the Petitioner did not establish that general-manager salary was a proper comparison.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-30_06_B5203; source_row=35687 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
ten years of full-time experience in the occupation
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the letters lacked specificity as to title, duties, hours per week, and project length, and did not address time the Petitioner spent working as a pilot/aviation trainer.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the letters lacked specificity as to title, duties, hours per week, and project length, and did not address time the Petitioner spent working as a pilot/aviation trainer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-30_06_B5203; source_row=35686 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c