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 6071–6080

NIWprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reopen – New Facts Requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the revised business plan did not present new facts: some additions merely restated facts already in the record, and others introduced new eligibility claims not raised at any prior stage. Additionally, because eligibility must be established at the time of filing, a post-filing business plan revision cannot cure the deficiency.

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AAO found that the revised business plan did not present new facts: some additions merely restated facts already in the record, and others introduced new eligibility claims not raised at any prior stage. Additionally, because eligibility must be established at the time of filing, a post-filing business plan revision cannot cure the deficiency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_04_B5203; source_row=35588
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

other

Valid signature on Form I-140

Why AAO was not persuaded

USCIS does not accept signatures created electronically or by device on paper-filed forms; a photocopy of a form must contain an original handwritten signature. An electronically reproduced image of a signature lacks the evidentiary force of a personal declaration under penalty of perjury. The Director was permitted to deny (not merely reject) the petition and had no obligation to allow the petitioner to cure the deficiency.

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USCIS does not accept signatures created electronically or by device on paper-filed forms; a photocopy of a form must contain an original handwritten signature. An electronically reproduced image of a signature lacks the evidentiary force of a personal declaration under penalty of perjury. The Director was permitted to deny (not merely reject) the petition and had no obligation to allow the petitioner to cure the deficiency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_02_B5203; source_row=35584
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Exceptional ability — three of six criteria

What the decision said

Because the petitioner failed to raise this issue on appeal, AAO deemed it waived.

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Because the petitioner failed to raise this issue on appeal, AAO deemed it waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_07_B5203; source_row=35597
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO does not reach a substantive determination on this prong, instead remanding because the Director's analysis was conclusory and lacked engagement with the evidence.

Why this is useful

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AAO does not reach a substantive determination on this prong, instead remanding because the Director's analysis was conclusory and lacked engagement with the evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_10_B5203; source_row=35607
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO notes the Director did not reach a determination on the second prong and does not itself adjudicate the prong, instead remanding for full analysis.

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AAO notes the Director did not reach a determination on the second prong and does not itself adjudicate the prong, instead remanding for full analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_10_B5203; source_row=35606
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO does not reach a substantive determination on this prong, instead remanding because the Director's conclusory analysis was insufficient for meaningful review.

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 does not reach a substantive determination on this prong, instead remanding because the Director's conclusory analysis was insufficient for meaningful review.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_10_B5203; source_row=35605
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Director erred by not concluding the Petitioner qualifies as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree, given the director's own findings of a bachelor's-equivalent foreign degree plus seven years of full-time employment in the occupation.

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AAO found the Director erred by not concluding the Petitioner qualifies as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree, given the director's own findings of a bachelor's-equivalent foreign degree plus seven years of full-time employment in the occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_05_B5203; source_row=35590
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO acknowledged the Petitioner's third-prong arguments on appeal but reserved opinion, citing INS v. Bagamasbad and Matter of L-A-C-, because the Petitioner was ineligible on the first prong.

Why this is useful

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AAO acknowledged the Petitioner's third-prong arguments on appeal but reserved opinion, citing INS v. Bagamasbad and Matter of L-A-C-, because the Petitioner was ineligible on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_03_B5203; source_row=35587
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved opinion on the second prong because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly reserved opinion on the second prong because the Petitioner failed to meet the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_03_B5203; source_row=35586
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record does not show how the Petitioner's specific consulting services would extend beyond his prospective clients to impact the industry or U.S. economy more broadly. The business plan's projections (including $456,822 in taxes, sales growing to $3.7M, and 64 employees over five years) lack sufficient detail and basis.…

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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The record does not show how the Petitioner's specific consulting services would extend beyond his prospective clients to impact the industry or U.S. economy more broadly. The business plan's projections (including $456,822 in taxes, sales growing to $3.7M, and 64 employees over five years) lack sufficient detail and basis. The business is not shown to be in an economically depressed area, and the Petitioner did not establish significant potential to employ U.S. workers or generate substantial positive economic effects at a national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-25_03_B5203; source_row=35585
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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