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 6801–6810

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

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The falsified articles that purportedly showed media attention for the awards were given no evidentiary weight. Letters from awarding entities alone are not direct evidence of recognition beyond those entities, and the certificate for one award was inconsistently dated 2009 rather than 2019.

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The falsified articles that purportedly showed media attention for the awards were given no evidentiary weight. Letters from awarding entities alone are not direct evidence of recognition beyond those entities, and the certificate for one award was inconsistently dated 2009 rather than 2019.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_02_B2203; source_row=34449
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

Print publication of literary work does not constitute display at an artistic exhibition or showcase. The Petitioner did not establish that newspapers are artistic exhibitions or showcases, nor that the gatherings photographed were showcases or exhibitions of her literary work.

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Print publication of literary work does not constitute display at an artistic exhibition or showcase. The Petitioner did not establish that newspapers are artistic exhibitions or showcases, nor that the gatherings photographed were showcases or exhibitions of her literary work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_02_B2203; source_row=34452
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 business plan lacked probative financial projections, failed to demonstrate how 60 anticipated jobs would have substantial positive economic effects beyond the immediate area, and the proposed endeavor would not impact youth soccer, the health and fitness industry, or the broader U.S. economy at a level commensurate with national importance.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the business plan lacked probative financial projections, failed to demonstrate how 60 anticipated jobs would have substantial positive economic effects beyond the immediate area, and the proposed endeavor would not impact youth soccer, the health and fitness industry, or the broader U.S. economy at a level commensurate with national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_06_B5203; source_row=34476
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed criterion ix was not met. The comparative data submitted was limited to national or city-average figures for 'head chef' rather than position-appropriate (executive chef) and geographically specific data for the metropolitan area, making it insufficient to show a high salary rather than merely an above-average one. Post-filing salary increases could not cure ineligibility at the time of filing.

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AAO agreed criterion ix was not met. The comparative data submitted was limited to national or city-average figures for 'head chef' rather than position-appropriate (executive chef) and geographically specific data for the metropolitan area, making it insufficient to show a high salary rather than merely an above-average one. Post-filing salary increases could not cure ineligibility at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_03_B2203; source_row=34463
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reviewed the record in the aggregate and found it does not support sustained national or international acclaim or that the Beneficiary is among the small percentage at the very top of the field, noting this as an alternative basis for denial.

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AAO reviewed the record in the aggregate and found it does not support sustained national or international acclaim or that the Beneficiary is among the small percentage at the very top of the field, noting this as an alternative basis for denial.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_03_B2203; source_row=34464
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 that the Petitioner's arguments about the importance of quality management conflated the merit and national importance inquiries. The client letter showed only localized, company-specific improvements with no indication of broader industry impact.…

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AAO found that the Petitioner's arguments about the importance of quality management conflated the merit and national importance inquiries. The client letter showed only localized, company-specific improvements with no indication of broader industry impact. The business plan projecting 15 small-business clients and 2-3 employees did not establish significant economic effects on a national level, and the business plan contained internal inconsistencies undermining its projections.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_08_B5203; source_row=34482
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO questioned whether the national importance portion of the first prong was actually established, noting the Petitioner had not demonstrated that his specific endeavor had significant potential to employ U.S. workers or offer substantial positive economic effects, and directed the Director to reexamine this prong on remand.

Why this is useful

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AAO questioned whether the national importance portion of the first prong was actually established, noting the Petitioner had not demonstrated that his specific endeavor had significant potential to employ U.S. workers or offer substantial positive economic effects, and directed the Director to reexamine this prong on remand.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_02_B5203; source_row=34456
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion but found the Director's analysis of the third prong insufficient because it did not discuss the evidence weighed or address the Petitioner's specific claims, necessitating remand for a proper evaluation of the Dhanasar factors.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion but found the Director's analysis of the third prong insufficient because it did not discuss the evidence weighed or address the Petitioner's specific claims, necessitating remand for a proper evaluation of the Dhanasar factors.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_02_B5203; source_row=34458
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 waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved the third prong as the first prong determination is 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 as the first prong determination is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_05_B5203; source_row=34475
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 agreed that while the submitted reports and articles discussed general benefits of digitization in the oil and gas industry, the Petitioner failed to specifically articulate or document what technologies he would implement, which companies he would work with, at what scale, and how his work would specifically lead to national-level impact on carbon emissions, employment, or economic effects.…

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed that while the submitted reports and articles discussed general benefits of digitization in the oil and gas industry, the Petitioner failed to specifically articulate or document what technologies he would implement, which companies he would work with, at what scale, and how his work would specifically lead to national-level impact on carbon emissions, employment, or economic effects. The Petitioner's assertions were vague and did not connect industry-level observations to his particular proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-15_05_B5203; source_row=34473
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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