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 6651–6660

EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in qualifying associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the GPA's by-laws establish collective (organizational) rather than individual membership, and that the Petitioner's 'chief expert' appointment is an appointed advisory position rather than a membership category. The Petitioner did not submit documentary evidence rebutting the published by-laws.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that the GPA's by-laws establish collective (organizational) rather than individual membership, and that the Petitioner's 'chief expert' appointment is an appointed advisory position rather than a membership category. The Petitioner did not submit documentary evidence rebutting the published by-laws.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_01_B2203; source_row=34673
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high remuneration for services

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the industry salary survey reported salaries only, while the Petitioner's figures combined salary and bonuses, making a direct comparison impossible. Therefore, the evidence did not show the Petitioner commanded high remuneration relative to others.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO found that the industry salary survey reported salaries only, while the Petitioner's figures combined salary and bonuses, making a direct comparison impossible. Therefore, the evidence did not show the Petitioner commanded high remuneration relative to others.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_01_B2203; source_row=34678
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalPhysician

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that medical practice and research have substantial merit, but found the petitioner did not establish national importance because clinical practice impacts only individual patients, the petitioner shifted focus to research only after the RFE, and the initial submission lacked specific research plans showing broader national impact.

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 that medical practice and research have substantial merit, but found the petitioner did not establish national importance because clinical practice impacts only individual patients, the petitioner shifted focus to research only after the RFE, and the initial submission lacked specific research plans showing broader national impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_04_B5203; source_row=34698
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalPhysician

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the petitioner was not well positioned: at filing he had no research experience and needed further degrees to conduct research; his business plan lacked a specific research plan; his South African medical practice did not represent progress toward the U.S. endeavor; and the only claimed interest from a university amounted to an HR department declining to sponsor him.

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 agreed the petitioner was not well positioned: at filing he had no research experience and needed further degrees to conduct research; his business plan lacked a specific research plan; his South African medical practice did not represent progress toward the U.S. endeavor; and the only claimed interest from a university amounted to an HR department declining to sponsor him.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_04_B5203; source_row=34699
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved its opinion on the second prong because the first prong was not met and a finding on the second prong was unnecessary to the result.

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 explicitly reserved its opinion on the second prong because the first prong was not met and a finding on the second prong was unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_07_B5203; source_row=34708
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved its opinion on the third prong because the first prong was not met and a finding on the third prong was unnecessary to the result.

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 explicitly reserved its opinion on the third prong because the first prong was not met and a finding on the third prong was unnecessary to the result.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_07_B5203; source_row=34709
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification (five years progressive experience)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the accountant's letter lacked objectivity and corroboration, business ownership documents showed only ownership not experience, and recommendation letters did not qualify as proper employer letters under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(B).

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found that the accountant's letter lacked objectivity and corroboration, business ownership documents showed only ownership not experience, and recommendation letters did not qualify as proper employer letters under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(i)(B).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_02_B5203; source_row=34691
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO noted that the Petitioner's skills, knowledge, and prior work relate to the second prong but did not evaluate it, as the first prong was 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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AAO noted that the Petitioner's skills, knowledge, and prior work relate to the second prong but did not evaluate it, as the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_05_B5203; source_row=34702
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters showed colleagues respect and appreciate the Petitioner but did not demonstrate she has been recognized for achievements and significant contributions to the gospel music industry as a whole. No additional evidence was submitted.

Why this is useful

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

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The letters showed colleagues respect and appreciate the Petitioner but did not demonstrate she has been recognized for achievements and significant contributions to the gospel music industry as a whole. No additional evidence was submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_01_B5203; source_row=34682
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters provided only a general description of the Petitioner's singing career without specific detail to establish full-time experience. Additionally, the record showed the Petitioner also served as an auxiliary pastor from 2000 to 2018, making it unclear how she could have been a full-time gospel singer during that period.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The letters provided only a general description of the Petitioner's singing career without specific detail to establish full-time experience. Additionally, the record showed the Petitioner also served as an auxiliary pastor from 2000 to 2018, making it unclear how she could have been a full-time gospel singer during that period.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-28_01_B5203; source_row=34680
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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