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 7171–7180

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 agrees the endeavor lacks national importance because helping clients meet existing health and safety requirements is not the type of improved manufacturing process or medical advance contemplated by Dhanasar, and the record provides no specifics on wages, jobs created, or economic impact.…

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AAO agrees the endeavor lacks national importance because helping clients meet existing health and safety requirements is not the type of improved manufacturing process or medical advance contemplated by Dhanasar, and the record provides no specifics on wages, jobs created, or economic impact. AAO additionally finds the implausible 'three identically named ISO managers' claim casts doubt on the entire record under Matter of Ho.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-03_03_B5203; source_row=33913
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the record lacked sufficient documentary evidence about the organization to demonstrate its eligibility requirements or mission to qualify as a professional association. Petitioner did not respond to NOID requesting additional evidence.

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AAO agreed that the record lacked sufficient documentary evidence about the organization to demonstrate its eligibility requirements or mission to qualify as a professional association. Petitioner did not respond to NOID requesting additional evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=33904
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Evidence of commanding a high salary (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

What the decision said

AAO declined to address criterion (D) because the Petitioner had not fulfilled the initial evidentiary requirement of three criteria.

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AAO declined to address criterion (D) because the Petitioner had not fulfilled the initial evidentiary requirement of three criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=33903
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the letters, while covering more than ten years, did not establish that all claimed employment was in the relevant occupation or provide sufficient detail about dates and job duties. Petitioner did not respond to NOID requesting additional evidence.

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AAO agreed that the letters, while covering more than ten years, did not establish that all claimed employment was in the relevant occupation or provide sufficient detail about dates and job duties. Petitioner did not respond to NOID requesting additional evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=33901
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination – exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that even if the criteria threshold were met, derogatory information about N-'s Entity List designation and media reporting about misuse of its spyware undermined the Petitioner's claim of substantially benefiting the United States. Petitioner did not respond to the NOID.

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AAO found that even if the criteria threshold were met, derogatory information about N-'s Entity List designation and media reporting about misuse of its spyware undermined the Petitioner's claim of substantially benefiting the United States. Petitioner did not respond to the NOID.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=33906
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

On balance, beneficial to the United States to waive job offer requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director, finding that positive factors such as past successes in information technology businesses were insufficient when weighed against lack of sufficient evidence about prospective pursuit of the endeavor and derogatory information about N-'s Entity List designation.

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AAO agreed with the Director, finding that positive factors such as past successes in information technology businesses were insufficient when weighed against lack of sufficient evidence about prospective pursuit of the endeavor and derogatory information about N-'s Entity List designation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=33909
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

What the decision said

Petitioner did not discuss criterion (A) on appeal or in evidence offered on appeal; AAO deemed this issue waived.

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Petitioner did not discuss criterion (A) on appeal or in evidence offered on appeal; AAO deemed this issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=33900
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Evidence of contributions of major significance (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

What the decision said

AAO declined to address criterion (F) because the Petitioner had not fulfilled the initial evidentiary requirement of three criteria.

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AAO declined to address criterion (F) because the Petitioner had not fulfilled the initial evidentiary requirement of three criteria.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=33905
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

License to practice profession (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

What the decision said

Petitioner did not discuss criterion (C) on appeal or in evidence offered on appeal; AAO deemed this issue waived.

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Petitioner did not discuss criterion (C) on appeal or in evidence offered on appeal; AAO deemed this issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-03_01_B5203; source_row=33902
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while the field of data analytics has substantial merit, the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor — providing data analytics consulting to small businesses and startups — failed to show prospective impact rising to national importance.…

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AAO found that while the field of data analytics has substantial merit, the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor — providing data analytics consulting to small businesses and startups — failed to show prospective impact rising to national importance. The expert letter conflated importance of the field with importance of the specific endeavor, and the Petitioner did not demonstrate that her company's staffing levels, revenue projections, or business activity would produce substantial positive economic effects beyond her clientele.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-10-02_02_B5203; source_row=33888
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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