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 7401–7410

NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted the Director's determination that this criterion was met.

Why this is useful

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AAO accepted the Director's determination that this criterion was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-12_04_B5203; source_row=33543
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

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

AAO agreed that exceptional performance in the opinion of peers at a single employer does not establish recognition by peers, governmental entities, or professional or business organizations on a scale beyond that employer.

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AAO agreed that exceptional performance in the opinion of peers at a single employer does not establish recognition by peers, governmental entities, or professional or business organizations on a scale beyond that employer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-12_04_B5203; source_row=33548
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

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 record did not establish ten years of full-time employment, finding that only the May 2019 to January 2021 period was attested as full-time and that inconsistencies between the initial filing and RFE response were not resolved with independent objective evidence.

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AAO agreed that the record did not establish ten years of full-time employment, finding that only the May 2019 to January 2021 period was attested as full-time and that inconsistencies between the initial filing and RFE response were not resolved with independent objective evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-12_04_B5203; source_row=33546
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

other

Adequacy of NOID notice under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(8)(iv)

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the NOID did not identify ETA Form 750B and ETA Form 9089 as the missing evidence underlying the proposed denial, the denial on that basis deprived the petitioner of the adequate notice and opportunity to respond required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(8)(iv).

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Because the NOID did not identify ETA Form 750B and ETA Form 9089 as the missing evidence underlying the proposed denial, the denial on that basis deprived the petitioner of the adequate notice and opportunity to respond required by 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(8)(iv).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-12_03_B5203; source_row=33542
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

The Petitioner limited his motion to prong two only; prong three was not raised on motion.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner limited his motion to prong two only; prong three was not raised on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-12_05_B5203; source_row=33555
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

The Petitioner limited his motion to prong two only; prong one was not raised on motion.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner limited his motion to prong two only; prong one was not raised on motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-12_05_B5203; source_row=33554
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

The AAO noted that the reference letters describing the Petitioner's prior engineering work are pertinent to the second Dhanasar prong, but did not reach a final merits determination on this prong because the first prong was not met.

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The AAO noted that the reference letters describing the Petitioner's prior engineering work are pertinent to the second Dhanasar prong, but did not reach a final merits determination on this prong because the first prong was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-12_02_B5203; source_row=33540
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

Evidence from industry publications about the importance of project management in the oil and gas industry, and the Petitioner's role in individual construction or repair projects, does not show that his proposed activities would affect the oil and gas industry more broadly or extend beyond benefits to his employer and its clients.

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Evidence from industry publications about the importance of project management in the oil and gas industry, and the Petitioner's role in individual construction or repair projects, does not show that his proposed activities would affect the oil and gas industry more broadly or extend beyond benefits to his employer and its clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-12_02_B5203; source_row=33539
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements

What the decision said

The AAO did not address the third Dhanasar prong in this motion decision.

Why this is useful

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The AAO did not address the third Dhanasar prong in this motion decision.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-12_02_B5203; source_row=33541
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 found the Petitioner's business plan projections (88 jobs, $15M wages, $2.4M in taxes over five years) were unsubstantiated and insufficient to rise to national importance. Industry reports addressed the importance of the finance sector generally, not the Petitioner's specific endeavor.…

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Petitioner's business plan projections (88 jobs, $15M wages, $2.4M in taxes over five years) were unsubstantiated and insufficient to rise to national importance. Industry reports addressed the importance of the finance sector generally, not the Petitioner's specific endeavor. Recommendation letters and the expert opinion focused on the Petitioner's qualifications (relevant to prong two) rather than the prospective impact of his endeavor on the field. The Petitioner failed to establish any original innovations or broader implications beyond servicing his own clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_05_B5203; source_row=33525
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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