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 7421–7430

NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

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

Why this is useful

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Both the Director and AAO agreed the Petitioner satisfied the license criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_06_B5203; source_row=33531
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 the United States

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong in the prior appeal decision as it was unnecessary given the failure on the first prong, and did not revisit it on this motion.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the third prong in the prior appeal decision as it was unnecessary given the failure on the first prong, and did not revisit it on this motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_02_B5203; source_row=33516
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 judgment on the second prong in the prior appeal decision as it was unnecessary given the failure on the first prong, and did not revisit it on this motion.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong in the prior appeal decision as it was unnecessary given the failure on the first prong, and did not revisit it on this motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_02_B5203; source_row=33515
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 did not re-examine this prong on the merits because the motion failed procedurally; AAO noted that its prior appeal decision had already found national importance not established, and the Petitioner's motion merely restated prior arguments without identifying legal or policy error.

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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AAO did not re-examine this prong on the merits because the motion failed procedurally; AAO noted that its prior appeal decision had already found national importance not established, and the Petitioner's motion merely restated prior arguments without identifying legal or policy error.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-11_02_B5203; source_row=33514
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 supported a finding of substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner's statements and recommendation letters did not provide sufficient information or corroborating evidence to show her specific proposed work has broader implications in the field or substantial positive economic effects rising to the level of national importance.…

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AAO agreed the record supported a finding of substantial merit but not national importance. The Petitioner's statements and recommendation letters did not provide sufficient information or corroborating evidence to show her specific proposed work has broader implications in the field or substantial positive economic effects rising to the level of national importance. AAO analogized to Dhanasar itself, where teaching activities that did not impact the field more broadly were found insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-08_02_B5203; source_row=33507
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while the Petitioner's endeavor operates in an important industry, the relevant inquiry is the national importance of the specific proposed endeavor, not the industry generally. The Petitioner failed to identify specific companies, the scale of services needed, or how his unique methods would benefit the industry beyond his direct clients.…

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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AAO found that while the Petitioner's endeavor operates in an important industry, the relevant inquiry is the national importance of the specific proposed endeavor, not the industry generally. The Petitioner failed to identify specific companies, the scale of services needed, or how his unique methods would benefit the industry beyond his direct clients. Advisory opinions and recommendation letters were conclusory and lacked specific, objective evidence of broader impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-08_01_B5203; source_row=33504
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO noted that evidence of the Petitioner's skills, knowledge, prior work, and prospective client interest relates to the second prong, but did not reach a conclusion on it because the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO noted that evidence of the Petitioner's skills, knowledge, prior work, and prospective client interest relates to the second prong, but did not reach a conclusion on it because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-08_02_B5203; source_row=33508
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the director erred by imposing a 'major media outlets' requirement not in the regulatory text. The record showing the Venezuelan Football Federation's recognition by FIFA as the national governing body, combined with the national team's favorable domestic and international media coverage during the petitioner's tenure, was sufficient to establish distinguished reputation.

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AAO found the director erred by imposing a 'major media outlets' requirement not in the regulatory text. The record showing the Venezuelan Football Federation's recognition by FIFA as the national governing body, combined with the national team's favorable domestic and international media coverage during the petitioner's tenure, was sufficient to establish distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-08_01_B2203; source_row=33498
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the director's finding that the petitioner met criterion (ii).

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the director's finding that the petitioner met criterion (ii).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-08_01_B2203; source_row=33496
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the director's finding that the petitioner met criterion (iv).

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the director's finding that the petitioner met criterion (iv).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-08_01_B2203; source_row=33497
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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