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 6701–6710

NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Official academic record (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted certificate documents only completion of high-school-level coursework in general subjects, not an academic record relating to automotive technology. Even crediting the credentials evaluator's equivalency opinion, the underlying record does not fall within the area of exceptional ability.

Why this is useful

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

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The submitted certificate documents only completion of high-school-level coursework in general subjects, not an academic record relating to automotive technology. Even crediting the credentials evaluator's equivalency opinion, the underlying record does not fall within the area of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-21_05_B5203; source_row=34630
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Economics

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reaffirms that, while the endeavor has substantial merit, its prospective impact does not extend beyond the Petitioner's consulting company to affect the field, region, or nation more broadly, and thus does not rise to 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.

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AAO reaffirms that, while the endeavor has substantial merit, its prospective impact does not extend beyond the Petitioner's consulting company to affect the field, region, or nation more broadly, and thus does not rise to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-21_02_B5203; source_row=34621
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the Petitioner did not show her specific endeavor would have broader implications beyond her employers or clients, would employ U.S. workers, or would produce substantial positive economic effects. The expert letters and articles addressed the importance of the legal sector generally rather than the specific endeavor.

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 concluded the Petitioner did not show her specific endeavor would have broader implications beyond her employers or clients, would employ U.S. workers, or would produce substantial positive economic effects. The expert letters and articles addressed the importance of the legal sector generally rather than the specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=34618
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach prong three for the same dispositive reason.

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 declined to reach prong three for the same dispositive reason.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-21_01_B5203; source_row=34620
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved prong 2, declining to reach it because prong 1 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 explicitly reserved prong 2, declining to reach it because prong 1 was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-21_03_B5203; source_row=34625
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved prong 3, declining to reach it because prong 1 was dispositive.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO explicitly reserved prong 3, declining to reach it because prong 1 was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-21_03_B5203; source_row=34626
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 (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters praise the Petitioner's skills but do not show recognition by peers, governmental entities, or professional/business organizations, nor do they explain how his contributions have significantly impacted the field beyond his employers and clients.

Why this is useful

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

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The letters praise the Petitioner's skills but do not show recognition by peers, governmental entities, or professional/business organizations, nor do they explain how his contributions have significantly impacted the field beyond his employers and clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-21_05_B5203; source_row=34631
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The municipal business registration entity is not a professional association, and the record does not describe membership criteria for the American Management Association sufficient to conclude membership is reserved for professionals.

Why this is useful

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

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The municipal business registration entity is not a professional association, and the record does not describe membership criteria for the American Management Association sufficient to conclude membership is reserved for professionals.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-20_03_B5203; source_row=34591
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's transcript showed an incomplete degree, and the credential evaluation improperly combined an incomplete degree with work experience contrary to the single-source requirement under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). The Petitioner's RFE response and appeal failed to address the deficiency.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner's transcript showed an incomplete degree, and the credential evaluation improperly combined an incomplete degree with work experience contrary to the single-source requirement under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2). The Petitioner's RFE response and appeal failed to address the deficiency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-20_03_B5203; source_row=34586
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

Salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacked any comparative salary data for marketing directors of exceptional ability, making it impossible to evaluate whether the Petitioner's salary demonstrated exceptional ability.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The record lacked any comparative salary data for marketing directors of exceptional ability, making it impossible to evaluate whether the Petitioner's salary demonstrated exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-20_03_B5203; source_row=34590
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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