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 7371–7380

NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

FinanceBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The submitted reference letters praised personal attributes and academic performance but did not document recognized achievements or significant contributions to the accounting field. Speaking engagements lacked supporting documentation.…

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The submitted reference letters praised personal attributes and academic performance but did not document recognized achievements or significant contributions to the accounting field. Speaking engagements lacked supporting documentation. The mayoral appointment and IRS volunteer certificate post-dated or were unrelated to significant field contributions, and the mayoral appointment occurred after filing and therefore cannot establish eligibility at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_05_B5203; source_row=33581
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

FinanceBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner's membership in a professional association satisfied this criterion.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner's membership in a professional association satisfied this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_05_B5203; source_row=33580
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

FinanceBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's earlier submission showed she worked as an administrative assistant rather than an accountant for the claimed period, and she did not provide required employment verification letters or explain discrepancies between her resume and prior documentation. She also did not claim ten years of experience on appeal.

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The Petitioner's earlier submission showed she worked as an administrative assistant rather than an accountant for the claimed period, and she did not provide required employment verification letters or explain discrepancies between her resume and prior documentation. She also did not claim ten years of experience on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_05_B5203; source_row=33577
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

FinanceBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record showing degree in the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner's bachelor's degree in accounting satisfied this criterion.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed that the Petitioner's bachelor's degree in accounting satisfied this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_05_B5203; source_row=33576
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish eligibility under the first prong, making a finding on the second prong unnecessary to the outcome.

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AAO explicitly reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish eligibility under the first prong, making a finding on the second prong unnecessary to the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_02_B5203; source_row=33562
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish eligibility under the first prong, making a finding on the third prong unnecessary to the outcome.

Why this is useful

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AAO explicitly reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish eligibility under the first prong, making a finding on the third prong unnecessary to the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_02_B5203; source_row=33563
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 found that the Petitioner's general assertions about his company's potential economic impact were unsupported by corroborating evidence. The business plan and supporting materials did not demonstrate how the Petitioner's endeavor would have broader implications beyond serving its own clients, and the record lacked documentation to substantiate references to potential investments or explain the basis for financial projec…

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AAO found that the Petitioner's general assertions about his company's potential economic impact were unsupported by corroborating evidence. The business plan and supporting materials did not demonstrate how the Petitioner's endeavor would have broader implications beyond serving its own clients, and the record lacked documentation to substantiate references to potential investments or explain the basis for financial projections.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_06_B5203; source_row=33585
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

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 contained vague, unsupported statements about the Petitioner's positive attributes and the proposed endeavor but did not constitute evidence of achievements and significant contributions above that ordinarily encountered in the field. Goodwill between letter writers and the Petitioner does not constitute an achievement or significant contribution.

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The letters contained vague, unsupported statements about the Petitioner's positive attributes and the proposed endeavor but did not constitute evidence of achievements and significant contributions above that ordinarily encountered in the field. Goodwill between letter writers and the Petitioner does not constitute an achievement or significant contribution.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_07_B5203; source_row=33594
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO acknowledged the Petitioner provided an official academic record showing a degree from a university in Brazil relating to their field.

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AAO acknowledged the Petitioner provided an official academic record showing a degree from a university in Brazil relating to their field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_07_B5203; source_row=33589
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding the employer letters lacked specific duty descriptions required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) and therefore could not establish five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding, concluding the employer letters lacked specific duty descriptions required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1) and therefore could not establish five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_07_B5203; source_row=33588
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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