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 6211–6220

NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the recommendation letters praised the Petitioner's professional abilities and described specific projects but did not demonstrate recognition of his achievements or explain how his contributions were 'significant' to the industry or field beyond his employers.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the recommendation letters praised the Petitioner's professional abilities and described specific projects but did not demonstrate recognition of his achievements or explain how his contributions were 'significant' to the industry or field beyond his employers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-11_06_B5203; source_row=35393
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO reserved 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 the third prong because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-11_05_B5203; source_row=35390
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 the second prong because the first prong was dispositive and declining to reach unnecessary issues.

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 the second prong because the first prong was dispositive and declining to reach unnecessary issues.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-11_05_B5203; source_row=35389
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 found the Petitioner's description of her endeavor vague and aspirational. She did not explain how her work as an individual social worker would produce national or global implications within the field, did not demonstrate distinct milestones or outcomes, and did not provide evidence of projected U.S.…

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 Petitioner's description of her endeavor vague and aspirational. She did not explain how her work as an individual social worker would produce national or global implications within the field, did not demonstrate distinct milestones or outcomes, and did not provide evidence of projected U.S. economic impact or job creation sufficient to reach the level of 'substantial positive economic effects' contemplated by Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-11_05_B5203; source_row=35388
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's proposed local clinical laboratory would not extend beyond its own employees and patients to impact the healthcare industry more broadly. The business plan lacked substantiated financial projections, evidence of available funding, or demonstration of substantial economic effects on the region or nation.…

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 found that the Petitioner's proposed local clinical laboratory would not extend beyond its own employees and patients to impact the healthcare industry more broadly. The business plan lacked substantiated financial projections, evidence of available funding, or demonstration of substantial economic effects on the region or nation. Employing a few workers in an occupation with a national shortage and referencing general healthcare cost research did not elevate the specific endeavor to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_05_B5203; source_row=35356
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO confirmed via the AACRAO EDGE database that the Petitioner's Brazilian Titulo de Bacharel is equivalent only to a U.S. bachelor's degree, not an advanced degree. The credential evaluator's '3-for-1 Rule' analysis was found inapplicable to immigrant petitions and was given little probative weight.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO confirmed via the AACRAO EDGE database that the Petitioner's Brazilian Titulo de Bacharel is equivalent only to a U.S. bachelor's degree, not an advanced degree. The credential evaluator's '3-for-1 Rule' analysis was found inapplicable to immigrant petitions and was given little probative weight.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_07_B5203; source_row=35366
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner's firm lacked the size or scope to substantially affect the national economy (projected $2.77M revenues and 35 employees), was not shown to benefit an economically depressed area, and would not introduce healthcare advancements. Personal experience and credentials do not establish the venture's 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 firm lacked the size or scope to substantially affect the national economy (projected $2.77M revenues and 35 employees), was not shown to benefit an economically depressed area, and would not introduce healthcare advancements. Personal experience and credentials do not establish the venture's national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_04_B5203; source_row=35353
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 in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the recommendation letters offered general, conclusory statements without sufficient specificity or independent evidence to establish that the Petitioner's contributions were original and of major significance. Authors failed to explain techniques, establish originality, or demonstrate field-wide impact.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed with the Director that the recommendation letters offered general, conclusory statements without sufficient specificity or independent evidence to establish that the Petitioner's contributions were original and of major significance. Authors failed to explain techniques, establish originality, or demonstrate field-wide impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_01_B2203; source_row=35337
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found significant translation deficiencies in the submitted articles, lack of credits/attributions linking the Petitioner to photographs, and insufficient evidence that the publications qualify as major media.…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found significant translation deficiencies in the submitted articles, lack of credits/attributions linking the Petitioner to photographs, and insufficient evidence that the publications qualify as major media. The union president's conclusion that 1,000 printed copies establishes 'leading' status was contradicted by the Mapping Digital Media report, and web traffic and social media metrics were found insufficient to establish major media status.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_01_B2203; source_row=35336
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while the Petitioner's role in her own studio may be leading or critical, she did not establish that her studio has a distinguished reputation. Individual clients, even famous ones, do not constitute 'organizations or establishments,' and the evidence did not show the Petitioner performed in a leading or critical role for any qualifying organization.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO found that while the Petitioner's role in her own studio may be leading or critical, she did not establish that her studio has a distinguished reputation. Individual clients, even famous ones, do not constitute 'organizations or establishments,' and the evidence did not show the Petitioner performed in a leading or critical role for any qualifying organization.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_01_B2203; source_row=35338
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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