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 6241–6250

NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record (criterion A)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's business administration degree does not relate to skydiving instruction. The course completion certificates from skydiving organizations do not indicate those organizations are institutions of learning.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner's business administration degree does not relate to skydiving instruction. The course completion certificates from skydiving organizations do not indicate those organizations are institutions of learning.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_02_B5203; source_row=35344
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years of full-time experience (criterion B)

Why AAO was not persuaded

Only ~6.5 years of qualifying employment as a skydiving instructor were documented; the earlier ~3.5 years involved duties such as video editing that were not 'in the occupation' of skydiving instruction.

Why this is useful

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Only ~6.5 years of qualifying employment as a skydiving instructor were documented; the earlier ~3.5 years involved duties such as video editing that were not 'in the occupation' of skydiving instruction.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_02_B5203; source_row=35345
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions (criterion F)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The USPA achievement certificates recognize accumulated skydiving experience, not significant contributions to the field. Recommendation letters praised the Petitioner's abilities but did not identify specific contributions. The Petitioner's certificates are achievement awards, not service awards judged by the USPA board.

Why this is useful

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The USPA achievement certificates recognize accumulated skydiving experience, not significant contributions to the field. Recommendation letters praised the Petitioner's abilities but did not identify specific contributions. The Petitioner's certificates are achievement awards, not service awards judged by the USPA board.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_02_B5203; source_row=35349
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherFaculty

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not separately contest the Director's finding on prong 2; the decision references the Director's conclusion on this prong without disagreement.

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AAO did not separately contest the Director's finding on prong 2; the decision references the Director's conclusion on this prong without disagreement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-10_02_B5203; source_row=35351
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 the Petitioner must establish the national importance of her specific business endeavor, not the importance of pet insurance, small businesses, entrepreneurism, or immigration generally. The record did not show how her business would extend beyond prospective clients to impact the industry or U.S. economy at a level commensurate with national importance, nor did it show significant potential to employ U.S.…

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Petitioner must establish the national importance of her specific business endeavor, not the importance of pet insurance, small businesses, entrepreneurism, or immigration generally. The record did not show how her business would extend beyond prospective clients to impact the industry or U.S. economy at a level commensurate with national importance, nor did it show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or provide substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-09_04_B5203; source_row=35325
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner demonstrated substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner confused the importance of the broader field and industry with the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor.…

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Petitioner demonstrated substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner confused the importance of the broader field and industry with the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor. The Petitioner's consulting services for a small set of clients, with modest revenue projections ($37K–$126K) and minimal employment creation (one to possibly three positions), did not show broader implications rising to the level of national importance or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-09_01_B5203; source_row=35318
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or foreign equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner did not establish advanced degree status. The foreign architecture/urban planning and environmental management credentials lacked equivalency evaluations and could not be assessed.…

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AAO agreed the Petitioner did not establish advanced degree status. The foreign architecture/urban planning and environmental management credentials lacked equivalency evaluations and could not be assessed. The employer letters for the law specialty lacked required duty descriptions, progressive work narrative, and clear dates; a conciliator certificate was ambiguous as to duration and nature of work; and self-created evidence like the résumé was given limited probative weight.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-09_03_B5203; source_row=35321
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 agreed the Petitioner failed to show his specific endeavor (work for one aircraft maintenance company in Florida) would have broader implications or national impact. Generalized assertions about the aviation industry, government initiatives, and the Petitioner's experience did not establish prospective national impact of his specific proposed work.

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 the Petitioner failed to show his specific endeavor (work for one aircraft maintenance company in Florida) would have broader implications or national impact. Generalized assertions about the aviation industry, government initiatives, and the Petitioner's experience did not establish prospective national impact of his specific proposed work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-09_05_B5203; source_row=35328
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the Petitioner failed to identify a specific proposed endeavor, instead broadly claiming she would conduct research in computational materials science, quantum computing, and QIST, without elaborating on the type of research she intended to pursue.

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 agrees the Petitioner failed to identify a specific proposed endeavor, instead broadly claiming she would conduct research in computational materials science, quantum computing, and QIST, without elaborating on the type of research she intended to pursue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-09_06_B5203; source_row=35331
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit (potential to generate revenue and create jobs) but found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance. The record at time of filing did not support claims of helping other 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 agreed the endeavor has substantial merit (potential to generate revenue and create jobs) but found the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance. The record at time of filing did not support claims of helping other U.S. businesses, the Petitioner did not specify innovations or solutions, and the projected 27 employees across six locations were insufficient to demonstrate significant national or local economic impact even in HUBZones.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-01-08_05_B5203; source_row=35312
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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