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 7651–7660

NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Ten years of full-time experience (employer letters)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because neither of the employer letters stated that the Petitioner was employed on a full-time basis, and the record showed he was simultaneously working for multiple companies, undermining any inference of full-time work for any single employer.

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The AAO withdrew the Director's finding because neither of the employer letters stated that the Petitioner was employed on a full-time basis, and the record showed he was simultaneously working for multiple companies, undermining any inference of full-time work for any single employer.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_07_B5203; source_row=33166
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO held that the 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) definition of 'profession' applies throughout the entire section, including to the professional association criterion, and that the Petitioner's organizations are open to anyone interested in their purposes and do not restrict membership to professionals.

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The AAO held that the 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2) definition of 'profession' applies throughout the entire section, including to the professional association criterion, and that the Petitioner's organizations are open to anyone interested in their purposes and do not restrict membership to professionals.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_07_B5203; source_row=33168
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Commanded a salary or remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO did not disturb the Director's grant of this criterion; it was noted as one of two criteria the Director found met.

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The AAO did not disturb the Director's grant of this criterion; it was noted as one of two criteria the Director found met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_07_B5203; source_row=33167
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

The AAO reserved all NIW prongs because the Petitioner did not qualify for the underlying EB-2 classification.

Why this is useful

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The AAO reserved all NIW prongs because the Petitioner did not qualify for the underlying EB-2 classification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_07_B5203; source_row=33171
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 to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that the letters and documentation showed the Petitioner's contributions to individual companies but failed to establish the significance of those contributions to the import/export field or industry as a whole. The AAO also noted that complimentary letters about the Petitioner's skills speak to a final merits determination rather than to recognized achievements and contributions under this criterion.

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The AAO found that the letters and documentation showed the Petitioner's contributions to individual companies but failed to establish the significance of those contributions to the import/export field or industry as a whole. The AAO also noted that complimentary letters about the Petitioner's skills speak to a final merits determination rather than to recognized achievements and contributions under this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_07_B5203; source_row=33169
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO did not address the first prong on its merits, instead remanding all Dhanasar analysis to the Director because the threshold EB-2 qualification issue was not properly resolved.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not address the first prong on its merits, instead remanding all Dhanasar analysis to the Director because the threshold EB-2 qualification issue was not properly resolved.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_06_B5203; source_row=33163
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

exceptional ability criteria and final merits

What the decision said

Because neither the Director nor AAO has yet evaluated the exceptional ability criteria, AAO remanded for the Director to conduct this analysis in the first instance.

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Because neither the Director nor AAO has yet evaluated the exceptional ability criteria, AAO remanded for the Director to conduct this analysis in the first instance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_06_B5203; source_row=33162
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

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

What the decision said

Petitioner did not claim eligibility under this criterion before the Director or on appeal; AAO considered the issue abandoned.

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Petitioner did not claim eligibility under this criterion before the Director or on appeal; AAO considered the issue abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_01_B5203; source_row=33141
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

academic record

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

What the decision said

AAO noted the Petitioner did not dispute the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal and considered the issue abandoned.

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AAO noted the Petitioner did not dispute the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal and considered the issue abandoned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_01_B5203; source_row=33138
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

recognition

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

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not meet the three-criteria threshold regardless of how this issue was decided.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach this criterion because the Petitioner could not meet the three-criteria threshold regardless of how this issue was decided.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-08-10_01_B5203; source_row=33143
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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