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 6911–6920

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the diploma reflected only two years of study, short of the four years generally required for a baccalaureate degree, and noted authenticity concerns about the transcript letterhead. No regulatory provision permits qualification with less than a full baccalaureate.

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AAO found the diploma reflected only two years of study, short of the four years generally required for a baccalaureate degree, and noted authenticity concerns about the transcript letterhead. No regulatory provision permits qualification with less than a full baccalaureate.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_04_B5203; source_row=34316
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that substantial merit was shown but that national importance was not established. The business plan's projections lacked supporting detail, the industry reports addressed HR generally rather than the specific endeavor, and the expert letter did not explain how the endeavor's impact would extend beyond direct clients.

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AAO agreed that substantial merit was shown but that national importance was not established. The business plan's projections lacked supporting detail, the industry reports addressed HR generally rather than the specific endeavor, and the expert letter did not explain how the endeavor's impact would extend beyond direct clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_04_B5203; source_row=34318
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalPhD

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

All nurse practitioners and registered nurses in California and Arizona must obtain these certificates to legally practice, so they do not require outstanding achievements. The Petitioner also failed to show the certificates grant membership in nursing associations or that boards consist of recognized experts who judged him on outstanding achievements.

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All nurse practitioners and registered nurses in California and Arizona must obtain these certificates to legally practice, so they do not require outstanding achievements. The Petitioner also failed to show the certificates grant membership in nursing associations or that boards consist of recognized experts who judged him on outstanding achievements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_03_B2203; source_row=34308
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 for organizations with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner held a casual, per-session coaching position within children's and community programs of the football club rather than a leading or critical role, and his role with the state football association was limited to a youth development program without sufficient evidence of the program's distinguished reputation. The volunteer-run soccer club was found to lack a distinguished reputation.

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AAO found the Petitioner held a casual, per-session coaching position within children's and community programs of the football club rather than a leading or critical role, and his role with the state football association was limited to a youth development program without sufficient evidence of the program's distinguished reputation. The volunteer-run soccer club was found to lack a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_02_B2203; source_row=34294
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the CBF Class B youth coaching license does not constitute membership in an association requiring outstanding achievements. CBF issues licenses to those who complete its Academy programs with a 70% average; enrollment prerequisites (years of experience) do not amount to a requirement of outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts.

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AAO agreed that the CBF Class B youth coaching license does not constitute membership in an association requiring outstanding achievements. CBF issues licenses to those who complete its Academy programs with a 70% average; enrollment prerequisites (years of experience) do not amount to a requirement of outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_02_B2203; source_row=34293
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

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 the criterion was not met but partially disagreed with the Director's reasoning, finding that the more reliable Talent.com survey (846 salaries) showed an average of A$78,020 — higher than the Petitioner's base salary — and the Petitioner could not show his total remuneration was significantly high when surveys only reported base salaries. BLS U.S. data was irrelevant, and Malaysia/Thailand data was insufficient.

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AAO agreed the criterion was not met but partially disagreed with the Director's reasoning, finding that the more reliable Talent.com survey (846 salaries) showed an average of A$78,020 — higher than the Petitioner's base salary — and the Petitioner could not show his total remuneration was significantly high when surveys only reported base salaries. BLS U.S. data was irrelevant, and Malaysia/Thailand data was insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_02_B2203; source_row=34295
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The evidence did not demonstrate that the associations require outstanding achievements of their members judged by recognized national or international experts.

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The evidence did not demonstrate that the associations require outstanding achievements of their members judged by recognized national or international experts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_01_B2203; source_row=34285
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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 new information on appeal did not show the awards commanded recognition beyond the events where they were presented, and there was no evidence of announcement in major media or other indicia of national or international acclaim.

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The new information on appeal did not show the awards commanded recognition beyond the events where they were presented, and there was no evidence of announcement in major media or other indicia of national or international acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_01_B2203; source_row=34284
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

Published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not demonstrate the significance of the circulation figures or establish that the figures reflect status as a professional or major trade publication or other major media.

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The Petitioner did not demonstrate the significance of the circulation figures or establish that the figures reflect status as a professional or major trade publication or other major media.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_01_B2203; source_row=34286
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 adopted and affirmed the Director's finding, concluding the record does not establish how her services differ from standard human development services or their broader implications.

Why this is useful

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's finding, concluding the record does not establish how her services differ from standard human development services or their broader implications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-11-01_02_B5203; source_row=34298
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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