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 6881–6890

NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license or certification

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Petitioner demonstrated licensure as a registered nurse in Florida and New York, satisfying the license/certification criterion.

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The Petitioner demonstrated licensure as a registered nurse in Florida and New York, satisfying the license/certification criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-07_12_B5203; source_row=34390
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 with the Director that the endeavor lacks national importance, finding that generalized information about firearm training, the goal of inspiring Olympic athletes, and the small-business success interest do not address the specific endeavor's broader implications. The four-employee business at an unspecified Florida location with average $43,000 wages does not show significant potential to employ U.S.…

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AAO agreed with the Director that the endeavor lacks national importance, finding that generalized information about firearm training, the goal of inspiring Olympic athletes, and the small-business success interest do not address the specific endeavor's broader implications. The four-employee business at an unspecified Florida location with average $43,000 wages does not show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-06_01_B5203; source_row=34355
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO reserved opinion on the third prong because the first-prong failure was 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 opinion on the third prong because the first-prong failure was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-06_01_B5203; source_row=34357
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved opinion on the second prong because the first-prong failure 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 reserved opinion on the second prong because the first-prong failure was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-06_01_B5203; source_row=34356
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the proposed endeavor lacked national importance. Even considering the self-employment business plan on the merits, it contained internal inconsistencies and lacked credible financial methodology. The record did not show the Petitioner's specific endeavor would broadly impact nursing, diabetes treatment, or healthcare access on a nationally important scale.

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AAO agreed the proposed endeavor lacked national importance. Even considering the self-employment business plan on the merits, it contained internal inconsistencies and lacked credible financial methodology. The record did not show the Petitioner's specific endeavor would broadly impact nursing, diabetes treatment, or healthcare access on a nationally important scale.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-03_01_B5203; source_row=34332
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 that the Petitioner's reliance on broad industry importance, rather than evidence specifically tied to his proposed endeavor, was insufficient to establish national importance. The Petitioner's past accomplishments were project- or client-specific rather than nationally significant.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's reliance on broad industry importance, rather than evidence specifically tied to his proposed endeavor, was insufficient to establish national importance. The Petitioner's past accomplishments were project- or client-specific rather than nationally significant.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-03_04_B5203; source_row=34344
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees that the only pre-filing salary evidence (2021 Brazilian pay) lacked any comparative wage benchmark, and post-filing 2022 bank statements cannot establish eligibility because eligibility must exist at the time of filing.

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AAO agrees that the only pre-filing salary evidence (2021 Brazilian pay) lacked any comparative wage benchmark, and post-filing 2022 bank statements cannot establish eligibility because eligibility must exist at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-03_03_B5203; source_row=34338
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

Petitioner did not claim this criterion at filing or in the RFE response. His post-filing application for and acceptance into the Consumer Technology Association cannot establish eligibility because eligibility must exist at filing.

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Petitioner did not claim this criterion at filing or in the RFE response. His post-filing application for and acceptance into the Consumer Technology Association cannot establish eligibility because eligibility must exist at filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-03_03_B5203; source_row=34339
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Salary demonstrating exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the director's finding because the comparative salary data submitted was for a general manager position, while the record showed the petitioner actually served as President and CEO. Without salary comparisons for the correct position and duties, the petitioner failed to show his salary was indicative of exceptional ability relative to others in the field.

Why this is useful

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AAO withdrew the director's finding because the comparative salary data submitted was for a general manager position, while the record showed the petitioner actually served as President and CEO. Without salary comparisons for the correct position and duties, the petitioner failed to show his salary was indicative of exceptional ability relative to others in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-03_05_B5203; source_row=34348
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 agreed the petitioner had not established national importance. His consulting benefits were too narrow, limited to individual clients. The expert letter's reference to teaching training courses was not part of the stated proposed endeavor. Business plans for his ventures lacked meaningful job-creation projections and offered only speculative or outdated revenue figures.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed the petitioner had not established national importance. His consulting benefits were too narrow, limited to individual clients. The expert letter's reference to teaching training courses was not part of the stated proposed endeavor. Business plans for his ventures lacked meaningful job-creation projections and offered only speculative or outdated revenue figures.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-03_05_B5203; source_row=34352
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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