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 6671–6680

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but found it does not meet the national importance element. The business plan lacked detail on the innovative method, financial projections were unsupported, the expert opinion focused on the industry rather than the specific endeavor's prospective impact, and the Petitioner relied improperly on her own credentials rather than the endeavor's broader implications.

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AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but found it does not meet the national importance element. The business plan lacked detail on the innovative method, financial projections were unsupported, the expert opinion focused on the industry rather than the specific endeavor's prospective impact, and the Petitioner relied improperly on her own credentials rather than the endeavor's broader implications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_05_B5203; source_row=34667
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner lacks a plan or model for future activities, has not demonstrated a record of success in curriculum development or teacher instruction beyond one classroom or school district, and lacks the doctoral degree typically required to teach at the postsecondary level she aspires to reach.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner lacks a plan or model for future activities, has not demonstrated a record of success in curriculum development or teacher instruction beyond one classroom or school district, and lacks the doctoral degree typically required to teach at the postsecondary level she aspires to reach.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_06_B5203; source_row=34671
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's material-change finding but independently concluded the Petitioner failed to establish national importance because her evidence spoke to the importance of the field rather than the specific impact of her individual endeavor, and she provided no specific plans or documentation showing how her activities would affect special education on a national level.

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AAO withdrew the Director's material-change finding but independently concluded the Petitioner failed to establish national importance because her evidence spoke to the importance of the field rather than the specific impact of her individual endeavor, and she provided no specific plans or documentation showing how her activities would affect special education on a national level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_06_B5203; source_row=34670
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that while the endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner did not demonstrate that her particular business would have national implications — whether economically, through benefiting a depressed area, or through advancements in the healthcare field. The proposed doula training program was excluded as a material change raised for the first time on appeal.

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AAO agreed that while the endeavor has substantial merit, the Petitioner did not demonstrate that her particular business would have national implications — whether economically, through benefiting a depressed area, or through advancements in the healthcare field. The proposed doula training program was excluded as a material change raised for the first time on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_03_B5203; source_row=34653
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director's outcome on prong 2 but found her reasoning confusing and conflated with prong 1; AAO also noted that a key letter of intent for purchase was not signed by the Petitioner.

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 with the Director's outcome on prong 2 but found her reasoning confusing and conflated with prong 1; AAO also noted that a key letter of intent for purchase was not signed by the Petitioner.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_02_B5203; source_row=34651
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record does not appear to support a finding of national importance: the business plan's revenue and employment projections lacked described origin or basis, and the support letters did not detail how the endeavor's impact would extend beyond customers to the cybersecurity industry at a level commensurate with national importance.

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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 record does not appear to support a finding of national importance: the business plan's revenue and employment projections lacked described origin or basis, and the support letters did not detail how the endeavor's impact would extend beyond customers to the cybersecurity industry at a level commensurate with national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_02_B5203; source_row=34650
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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The new letters submitted on motion contained primarily bare assertions without specific examples demonstrating how the Petitioner's role as program coordinator constituted a leading or critical role for the overall organization. Post-filing enrollment data could not be used to establish eligibility at the time of filing.…

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The new letters submitted on motion contained primarily bare assertions without specific examples demonstrating how the Petitioner's role as program coordinator constituted a leading or critical role for the overall organization. Post-filing enrollment data could not be used to establish eligibility at the time of filing. Neither the updated letter from her supervisor nor the new letter from the college president provided sufficient detail to establish that the Petitioner's role was critical to the organization as a whole.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_01_B2203; source_row=34645
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 the job offer and labor certification

What the decision said

AAO did not reach a substantive conclusion on prong 3 because the Director's analysis was inadequate; the matter was remanded for a new decision.

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AAO did not reach a substantive conclusion on prong 3 because the Director's analysis was inadequate; the matter was remanded for a new decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_02_B5203; source_row=34652
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

recognition

Evidence of recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters attest to past project success but do not reference any formal recognition of achievements or contributions to the HVAC industry or software development field, and the record lacks documentation of impact on the industry or field.

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The letters attest to past project success but do not reference any formal recognition of achievements or contributions to the HVAC industry or software development field, and the record lacks documentation of impact on the industry or field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_04_B5203; source_row=34662
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

Letters from employers showing at least ten years of full-time experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters reference only general dates of service and do not establish a continuous timeline of full-time employment over at least ten years; the HVAC company letter does not specify full- or part-time status, specific dates, or duties.

Why this is useful

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

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The letters reference only general dates of service and do not establish a continuous timeline of full-time employment over at least ten years; the HVAC company letter does not specify full- or part-time status, specific dates, or duties.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-27_04_B5203; source_row=34658
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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