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 7431–7440

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 agreed that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor was insufficiently defined from the outset and that the updated endeavor introduced in the RFE response constituted an impermissible material change.…

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor was insufficiently defined from the outset and that the updated endeavor introduced in the RFE response constituted an impermissible material change. The initial proposed endeavor of working as a pilot/airline captain, mentor, instructor, or consultant lacked specificity and did not demonstrate national importance beyond benefiting individual employers, passengers, or trainees.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_05_B5203; source_row=33493
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 agreed there was substantial merit but withdrew the Director's finding on national importance. The Petitioner's evidence addressed broad industry topics rather than the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor.…

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AAO agreed there was substantial merit but withdrew the Director's finding on national importance. The Petitioner's evidence addressed broad industry topics rather than the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor. The business plan's modest financial and employment projections (8–15 jobs, break-even and profitability figures) were insufficient to show substantial positive economic effects at a national level, and the opinion letter failed to explain how the restaurant would impact the field or economy broadly.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_03_B5203; source_row=33480
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

High salary or remuneration (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Although the Petitioner showed partnership income of $820,712 exceeding the national median CEO wage, the record lacked evidence comparing his compensation to others in digital marketing or e-commerce in the same geographic area, and did not show the income was a direct result of exceptional ability.

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Although the Petitioner showed partnership income of $820,712 exceeding the national median CEO wage, the record lacked evidence comparing his compensation to others in digital marketing or e-commerce in the same geographic area, and did not show the income was a direct result of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_02_B5203; source_row=33474
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

commanded a salary or other remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

Because the Petitioner's employment history documentation was not credible due to discrepancies, AAO could not evaluate whether his earnings were comparably higher than others in his field. The salary data from Zarplan.com was also of indeterminate credibility and it was unclear whether the salary figures were yearly or monthly.

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Because the Petitioner's employment history documentation was not credible due to discrepancies, AAO could not evaluate whether his earnings were comparably higher than others in his field. The salary data from Zarplan.com was also of indeterminate credibility and it was unclear whether the salary figures were yearly or monthly.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_04_B5203; source_row=33487
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

AAO found that none of the Petitioner's evidence—publications, support letters, references to government initiatives, or her personal statement—addressed her specific proposed endeavor or demonstrated broader national implications.…

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AAO found that none of the Petitioner's evidence—publications, support letters, references to government initiatives, or her personal statement—addressed her specific proposed endeavor or demonstrated broader national implications. The record lacked operational details (business plan, number of employees, wages, location beyond 'TBD') and the Petitioner's reliance on post-filing legislation and memoranda could not establish eligibility as of the 2020 filing date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_01_B5203; source_row=33468
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

recognition

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Learning certificates showed knowledge acquisition but not recognition for achievements; support letters contained general praise without evidence of contributions beyond competent business ownership; an article quote did not constitute significant recognition; and the nonprofit organizational letter lacked evidence of prestige or admission standards.

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Learning certificates showed knowledge acquisition but not recognition for achievements; support letters contained general praise without evidence of contributions beyond competent business ownership; an article quote did not constitute significant recognition; and the nonprofit organizational letter lacked evidence of prestige or admission standards.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_02_B5203; source_row=33476
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

academic record

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found the Petitioner satisfied the academic record criterion, and the AAO did not disturb that finding.

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The Director found the Petitioner satisfied the academic record criterion, and the AAO did not disturb that finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_02_B5203; source_row=33471
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

license or certification

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner acknowledged no license was required, but his attempt to submit comparable evidence (business records and recommendation letters) was insufficient because BLS data contradicted his claim that the criterion did not apply, and the documents did not reflect the same caliber of expertise as a professional license or certification.

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The Petitioner acknowledged no license was required, but his attempt to submit comparable evidence (business records and recommendation letters) was insufficient because BLS data contradicted his claim that the criterion did not apply, and the documents did not reflect the same caliber of expertise as a professional license or certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_02_B5203; source_row=33473
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

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

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found the Petitioner satisfied the membership in professional associations criterion, and the AAO did not disturb that finding.

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The Director found the Petitioner satisfied the membership in professional associations criterion, and the AAO did not disturb that finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_02_B5203; source_row=33475
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record contained only two employer letters covering a limited period and comparable evidence (contracts and business licenses) lacked information about duration, hours worked, and job duties needed to establish ten years of full-time experience.

Why this is useful

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The record contained only two employer letters covering a limited period and comparable evidence (contracts and business licenses) lacked information about duration, hours worked, and job duties needed to establish ten years of full-time experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_02_B5203; source_row=33472
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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