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 7411–7420

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The academic evaluation confirmed only a U.S. bachelor's degree equivalent. One employer letter covered experience prior to the degree, and the other showed only approximately three years and eleven months of post-baccalaureate experience — insufficient to satisfy the five-year requirement under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2).

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The academic evaluation confirmed only a U.S. bachelor's degree equivalent. One employer letter covered experience prior to the degree, and the other showed only approximately three years and eleven months of post-baccalaureate experience — insufficient to satisfy the five-year requirement under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_05_B5203; source_row=33524
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the record only contained generic descriptions of an international arbitration legal advisor's duties without a personal supporting statement, that counsel's assertions do not constitute evidence, and that evidence of the ADR field generally did not show the Petitioner's individual work would have national importance. AAO declined to consider the newly formed company as a material change to the proposed endeavor.

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AAO agreed the record only contained generic descriptions of an international arbitration legal advisor's duties without a personal supporting statement, that counsel's assertions do not constitute evidence, and that evidence of the ADR field generally did not show the Petitioner's individual work would have national importance. AAO declined to consider the newly formed company as a material change to the proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_04_B5203; source_row=33521
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 determination that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance, finding that the Petitioner provided no new evidence or arguments to overcome the Director's determination.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's determination that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance, finding that the Petitioner provided no new evidence or arguments to overcome the Director's determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_06_B5203; source_row=33533
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner's foreign credentials equate only to a U.S. high school diploma and that the credentials evaluator's opinion based on work experience rather than academic degrees is of little probative value.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's foreign credentials equate only to a U.S. high school diploma and that the credentials evaluator's opinion based on work experience rather than academic degrees is of little probative value.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_06_B5203; source_row=33528
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The endeavor is meritorious but the record does not show broader implications for the architectural design field or substantial economic/societal effects beyond the Petitioner's business and clients; financial and staffing projections are insufficiently supported and the projected 15 jobs and $1.8M in payroll/taxes do not rise to national importance.

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The endeavor is meritorious but the record does not show broader implications for the architectural design field or substantial economic/societal effects beyond the Petitioner's business and clients; financial and staffing projections are insufficiently supported and the projected 15 jobs and $1.8M in payroll/taxes do not rise to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_03_B5203; source_row=33518
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

Architectural designer is not an occupation requiring a U.S. bachelor's degree (per O*NET 17-3011), and the credentials evaluation impermissibly combines two lesser educational credentials to construct a single bachelor's-degree equivalent.

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Architectural designer is not an occupation requiring a U.S. bachelor's degree (per O*NET 17-3011), and the credentials evaluation impermissibly combines two lesser educational credentials to construct a single bachelor's-degree equivalent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_03_B5203; source_row=33517
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

meet at least three exceptional ability evidentiary criteria

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision, noting the Petitioner failed to specifically challenge the Director's analysis of the disputed criteria and merely repeated his prior RFE response verbatim without new arguments or evidence.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision, noting the Petitioner failed to specifically challenge the Director's analysis of the disputed criteria and merely repeated his prior RFE response verbatim without new arguments or evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_01_B5203; source_row=33510
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

experience criterion (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the experience criterion.

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the experience criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_06_B5203; source_row=33530
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

degree criterion (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that evidence of attendance at various airline pilot training programs offered at flight schools, combined with training certificates, resume, flight logs, pilot licenses, and employer letters, was sufficient to meet the plain language of the degree criterion — which does not require a college or university degree.

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AAO found that evidence of attendance at various airline pilot training programs offered at flight schools, combined with training certificates, resume, flight logs, pilot licenses, and employer letters, was sufficient to meet the plain language of the degree criterion — which does not require a college or university degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_06_B5203; source_row=33529
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that standard professional qualifications and performance of normal airline pilot duties do not demonstrate expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered. The expert letter was conclusory and failed to document specific significant contributions to the field. Reference letters lacked corroborative evidence of impact or recognition outside the Petitioner's employers.

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AAO found that standard professional qualifications and performance of normal airline pilot duties do not demonstrate expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered. The expert letter was conclusory and failed to document specific significant contributions to the field. Reference letters lacked corroborative evidence of impact or recognition outside the Petitioner's employers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_06_B5203; source_row=33532
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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