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 7381–7390

NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letters did not contain job descriptions and therefore did not permit evaluation of whether the Petitioner had full-time experience in the occupation as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1).

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The employer letters did not contain job descriptions and therefore did not permit evaluation of whether the Petitioner had full-time experience in the occupation as required by 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(g)(1).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_07_B5203; source_row=33590
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not provide evidence of membership in professional associations, so AAO treated this ground as abandoned.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner did not provide evidence of membership in professional associations, so AAO treated this ground as abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_07_B5203; source_row=33593
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license or certification (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AWS Partner certifications covered only discrete topics of brief duration and were not shown to relate to the overarching duties of the Petitioner's profession, nor did they demonstrate competency to perform job duties or indicate renewal requirements.

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The AWS Partner certifications covered only discrete topics of brief duration and were not shown to relate to the overarching duties of the Petitioner's profession, nor did they demonstrate competency to perform job duties or indicate renewal requirements.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_07_B5203; source_row=33591
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

The AAO found the proposed endeavor was not clearly defined—the Petitioner did not specify a timeline or whether she would work as a physical therapist, an instructor, or both. The expert letter relied on the importance of physical therapy generally rather than the specific proposed endeavor, and the recommendation letters from former colleagues focused on past work rather than the proposed U.S. endeavor.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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The AAO found the proposed endeavor was not clearly defined—the Petitioner did not specify a timeline or whether she would work as a physical therapist, an instructor, or both. The expert letter relied on the importance of physical therapy generally rather than the specific proposed endeavor, and the recommendation letters from former colleagues focused on past work rather than the proposed U.S. endeavor. Treating an unspecified number of patients at a single healthcare facility does not rise to national or global implications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_03_B5203; source_row=33564
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record relating to area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the diploma was in system analysis and development, and the record did not contain sufficient evidence or explanation connecting that field to the Petitioner's proposed endeavor of financial analysis.

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The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the diploma was in system analysis and development, and the record did not contain sufficient evidence or explanation connecting that field to the Petitioner's proposed endeavor of financial analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_04_B5203; source_row=33567
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

at least ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the Petitioner's job duties as a new banking technician and general manager did not correspond to those of a financial analyst, meaning the documented experience could not be credited toward the required 10 years of full-time experience in the financial analyst occupation.

Why this is useful

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The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because the Petitioner's job duties as a new banking technician and general manager did not correspond to those of a financial analyst, meaning the documented experience could not be credited toward the required 10 years of full-time experience in the financial analyst occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_04_B5203; source_row=33568
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license to practice the profession or certification for a particular profession or occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because ANBIMA is a trade organization rather than an official government body, the record did not establish that the CPA-10 certification relates to financial analysis, and the certification is open to students and does not require periodic renewal, undermining its probative value as a professional license or certification.

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The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because ANBIMA is a trade organization rather than an official government body, the record did not establish that the CPA-10 certification relates to financial analysis, and the certification is open to students and does not require periodic renewal, undermining its probative value as a professional license or certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_04_B5203; source_row=33569
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed with the Director that the letters contained complimentary statements about the Petitioner's job performance but lacked evidence of achievements or significant contributions demonstrating expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered; and the workplace certificates and awards reflected dedication but not exceptional ability in the field.

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The AAO agreed with the Director that the letters contained complimentary statements about the Petitioner's job performance but lacked evidence of achievements or significant contributions demonstrating expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered; and the workplace certificates and awards reflected dedication but not exceptional ability in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_04_B5203; source_row=33572
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 declined to address the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the second prong was dispositive and further discussion of the balancing factors would serve no meaningful purpose.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to address the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to satisfy the second prong was dispositive and further discussion of the balancing factors would serve no meaningful purpose.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_01_B5203; source_row=33560
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO noted the Director's favorable determination but observed the record may not support the national importance element, as the broader importance of addressing medical device and PPE shortages does not necessarily impart national importance to the Petitioner's specific consulting endeavor. AAO declined to further explore this issue because the second-prong deficiency was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO noted the Director's favorable determination but observed the record may not support the national importance element, as the broader importance of addressing medical device and PPE shortages does not necessarily impart national importance to the Petitioner's specific consulting endeavor. AAO declined to further explore this issue because the second-prong deficiency was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-13_01_B5203; source_row=33558
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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