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 7441–7450

NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

academic record

official academic record relating to area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's certificate is in computer studies, but his claimed area of exceptional ability is business (managing a trucking company). His transcript shows no courses related to business or trucking, and he did not clarify on appeal how the computer studies certificate relates to his claimed area of exceptional ability.

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The Petitioner's certificate is in computer studies, but his claimed area of exceptional ability is business (managing a trucking company). His transcript shows no courses related to business or trucking, and he did not clarify on appeal how the computer studies certificate relates to his claimed area of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_04_B5203; source_row=33484
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

What the decision said

The Petitioner raised criteria A through E on appeal but did not argue criterion F. AAO did not separately analyze it.

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The Petitioner raised criteria A through E on appeal but did not argue criterion F. AAO did not separately analyze it.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_04_B5203; source_row=33489
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

license or certification

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to provide an explanation or probative evidence showing the criterion does not readily apply to his occupation, and the suggested comparable evidence did not reflect the same caliber of expertise as a professional license or certification.

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The Petitioner failed to provide an explanation or probative evidence showing the criterion does not readily apply to his occupation, and the suggested comparable evidence 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_04_B5203; source_row=33486
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that the Petitioner met the membership criterion.

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AAO did not disturb the Director's finding that the Petitioner met the membership criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_04_B5203; source_row=33488
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

at least ten years of full-time experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letter on appeal was identical to one already in the record and did not specify full-time employment. Moreover, its credibility was undermined by discrepancies with the Petitioner's Employment Book, which showed gaps and part-time status. Business documents did not establish full-time management experience.

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The recommendation letter on appeal was identical to one already in the record and did not specify full-time employment. Moreover, its credibility was undermined by discrepancies with the Petitioner's Employment Book, which showed gaps and part-time status. Business documents did not establish full-time management experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_04_B5203; source_row=33485
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed to assign any specific error to the Director's advanced degree determination on appeal, AAO treated the issue as abandoned under Matter of R-A-M-.

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Because the Petitioner failed to assign any specific error to the Director's advanced degree determination on appeal, AAO treated the issue as abandoned under Matter of R-A-M-.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-07_04_B5203; source_row=33483
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that merely working in an important field does not establish national importance of the specific endeavor. The business plan's projections of job creation and revenue growth were not corroborated — only two consulting contracts were in the record, and actual income in November 2022 was $4,252.10, far below the projected $43,232 net income for 2023.…

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AAO found that merely working in an important field does not establish national importance of the specific endeavor. The business plan's projections of job creation and revenue growth were not corroborated — only two consulting contracts were in the record, and actual income in November 2022 was $4,252.10, far below the projected $43,232 net income for 2023. The Petitioner failed to show broader implications beyond himself and his clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-06_04_B5203; source_row=33465
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 AAO found that the Petitioner's reliance on her credentials and experience was misplaced for the first prong (relevant to prong two), that the business plan's economic projections lacked corroborating evidence, and that the expert opinion did not focus on the specific proposed endeavor's prospective national impact.…

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The AAO found that the Petitioner's reliance on her credentials and experience was misplaced for the first prong (relevant to prong two), that the business plan's economic projections lacked corroborating evidence, and that the expert opinion did not focus on the specific proposed endeavor's prospective national impact. Creating seven direct jobs and modest payroll figures over five years does not rise to the level of national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-06_01_B5203; source_row=33456
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO agreed that the endeavor has substantial merit given its alignment with federal affordable housing priorities, but found that the Petitioner did not demonstrate that its specific prospective impact rises to national importance.…

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The AAO agreed that the endeavor has substantial merit given its alignment with federal affordable housing priorities, but found that the Petitioner did not demonstrate that its specific prospective impact rises to national importance. The business plan lacked corroboration for its financial projections, the letters of recommendation addressed the Petitioner's personal qualifications rather than the endeavor's specific impact, and there was insufficient evidence that the endeavor would extend beyond a local Florida market.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-06_02_B5203; source_row=33459
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 the proposed endeavor lacked national importance. The submitted articles addressed the importance of the field generally, not the specific endeavor. Personal statements highlighted general benefits of mental health counseling without corroborating evidence linking the endeavor to broader economic growth.…

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AAO agreed the proposed endeavor lacked national importance. The submitted articles addressed the importance of the field generally, not the specific endeavor. Personal statements highlighted general benefits of mental health counseling without corroborating evidence linking the endeavor to broader economic growth. The expert opinion letter did not explain how operating a private practice would have broader national implications. Job creation projections lacked a business plan or supporting details.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-06_03_B5203; source_row=33462
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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