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 611620

NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

academic record

Degree in the area of exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner established a degree in the area of exceptional ability.

Why this is useful

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Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner established a degree in the area of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-25_04_B5203; source_row=44350
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination (exceptional ability)

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner did not meet at least three criteria, AAO did not conduct a full final merits determination, though it noted in advisory fashion that the record does not support a finding of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered.

Why this is useful

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Because the Petitioner did not meet at least three criteria, AAO did not conduct a full final merits determination, though it noted in advisory fashion that the record does not support a finding of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-25_04_B5203; source_row=44354
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 proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on all NIW prongs because the Petitioner was not eligible for the underlying EB-2 classification.

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 judgment on all NIW prongs because the Petitioner was not eligible for the underlying EB-2 classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-25_04_B5203; source_row=44357
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree professional qualification

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not challenge SCOPS's conclusion that paralegal work does not constitute a 'profession' under the Act; therefore AAO treated this basis of ineligibility as waived on appeal.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not challenge SCOPS's conclusion that paralegal work does not constitute a 'profession' under the Act; therefore AAO treated this basis of ineligibility as waived on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-25_04_B5203; source_row=44355
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

Ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the submitted evidence did not meet the regulatory requirements. Although the Petitioner invoked the comparable evidence provision, he failed to adequately explain why employer letters were inapplicable to his occupation for most of his employment periods. The documents that were submitted lacked descriptions of duties, confirmation of full-time status, and complete date ranges.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed that the submitted evidence did not meet the regulatory requirements. Although the Petitioner invoked the comparable evidence provision, he failed to adequately explain why employer letters were inapplicable to his occupation for most of his employment periods. The documents that were submitted lacked descriptions of duties, confirmation of full-time status, and complete date ranges.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-25_04_B5203; source_row=44351
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner established membership in a professional organization.

Why this is useful

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Both SCOPS and AAO found the Petitioner established membership in a professional organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-25_04_B5203; source_row=44352
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

recognition

Recognition of achievements and significant contributions to the industry (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not address this criterion on appeal, so AAO deemed it waived pursuant to Matter of O-R-E- and Matter of R-A-M-.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not address this criterion on appeal, so AAO deemed it waived pursuant to Matter of O-R-E- and Matter of R-A-M-.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-25_04_B5203; source_row=44353
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 declines to reach this prong because the failure on prong one is dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO declines to reach this prong because the failure on prong one is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-25_07_B5203; source_row=44360
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed substantial merit was shown but national importance was not. The Petitioner's experience, citation record, and skills go to prong two; benefits to a single employer (even with a national footprint) are insufficient; job-creation claims were unsupported and not specifically linked to the 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 agreed substantial merit was shown but national importance was not. The Petitioner's experience, citation record, and skills go to prong two; benefits to a single employer (even with a national footprint) are insufficient; job-creation claims were unsupported and not specifically linked to the endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_02_B5203; source_row=44338
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

Letters show Armenian karate officials consider his methodology important, but the record lacks sufficient details about when and how he learned both styles, whether he was first to combine them, and whether other coaches have implemented his methods.…

Why this is useful

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

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Letters show Armenian karate officials consider his methodology important, but the record lacks sufficient details about when and how he learned both styles, whether he was first to combine them, and whether other coaches have implemented his methods. AAO found SCOPS did not improperly impose requirements, as evidence of implementation and new techniques merely illustrates major significance rather than constituting novel requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-24_01_B2203; source_row=44329
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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