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 7751–7760

NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

What the decision said

AAO noted that the Director did not comment on criterion E in the decision but had flagged the absence of evidence in the RFE; AAO did not separately analyze this criterion.

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AAO noted that the Director did not comment on criterion E in the decision but had flagged the absence of evidence in the RFE; AAO did not separately analyze this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-26_04_B5203; source_row=33020
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Offered job matches labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

While AAO disagreed with the Director's categorical bar on any additional duties, it still found the Petitioner's two added duties (leadership and cross-functional collaboration) materially altered the nature of the job and could have attracted more U.S. applicants with managerial skills. The Petitioner failed to demonstrate how much time would be spent on the additional duties, so it did not meet its burden of proof.

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While AAO disagreed with the Director's categorical bar on any additional duties, it still found the Petitioner's two added duties (leadership and cross-functional collaboration) materially altered the nature of the job and could have attracted more U.S. applicants with managerial skills. The Petitioner failed to demonstrate how much time would be spent on the additional duties, so it did not meet its burden of proof.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-26_05_B5203; source_row=33023
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

other

Documentation of acquisition/ownership transfer

Why AAO was not persuaded

The financial statements showed only that a holding company acquired both the Petitioner and the predecessor; corporate documents referred to the Petitioner's 'family of brands' rather than establishing ownership; appellate evidence was not considered under Matter of Soriano; and even if considered, the appellate evidence still showed affiliation rather than ownership.…

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The financial statements showed only that a holding company acquired both the Petitioner and the predecessor; corporate documents referred to the Petitioner's 'family of brands' rather than establishing ownership; appellate evidence was not considered under Matter of Soriano; and even if considered, the appellate evidence still showed affiliation rather than ownership. AAO also noted in dicta that the reverse triangular merger structure may not have transferred assets under Delaware law.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-26_05_B5203; source_row=33024
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the proposed endeavor had substantial merit given documented dental care shortages, but found it failed the national importance sub-prong. The HUBZone listings were irrelevant because the Petitioner is not a U.S. citizen or qualifying entity. The work of a single dental professional would not have broader national implications. Economic projections were unsupported.…

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AAO agreed the proposed endeavor had substantial merit given documented dental care shortages, but found it failed the national importance sub-prong. The HUBZone listings were irrelevant because the Petitioner is not a U.S. citizen or qualifying entity. The work of a single dental professional would not have broader national implications. Economic projections were unsupported. Knowledge proliferation through hiring and training is akin to teaching, which Dhanasar held does not rise to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-25_02_B5203; source_row=33000
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that although the Petitioner showed education and skills, those alone are insufficient. The business plan was a social media marketing strategy rather than a model for advancing the endeavor, there was no progress toward achieving the endeavor, the recommendation letters did not show relevant success in similar efforts, and the planned operations from a single-family residence were implausible given the scale pro…

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AAO agreed that although the Petitioner showed education and skills, those alone are insufficient. The business plan was a social media marketing strategy rather than a model for advancing the endeavor, there was no progress toward achieving the endeavor, the recommendation letters did not show relevant success in similar efforts, and the planned operations from a single-family residence were implausible given the scale projected.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-25_05_B5203; source_row=33007
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that while the endeavor has substantial merit addressing animal health, the evidence did not demonstrate broader implications rising to national importance. The direct benefits are limited to individual pet owners, the expert letter did not credibly link the endeavor to national-level impact, and the economic projections were unsupported.

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AAO agreed that while the endeavor has substantial merit addressing animal health, the evidence did not demonstrate broader implications rising to national importance. The direct benefits are limited to individual pet owners, the expert letter did not credibly link the endeavor to national-level impact, and the economic projections were unsupported.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-25_05_B5203; source_row=33006
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's expertise, published articles, citation evidence, research progress, and current postdoctoral position collectively demonstrate she is well positioned to advance her proposed endeavor.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's expertise, published articles, citation evidence, research progress, and current postdoctoral position collectively demonstrate she is well positioned to advance her proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-25_04_B5203; source_row=33004
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the Petitioner's Ph.D., expertise in HLB-resistant citrus development, documented past successes, and potential contributions to the Florida citrus industry demonstrate that a waiver would benefit the United States even if other qualified U.S. workers are available.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's Ph.D., expertise in HLB-resistant citrus development, documented past successes, and potential contributions to the Florida citrus industry demonstrate that a waiver would benefit the United States even if other qualified U.S. workers are available.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-25_04_B5203; source_row=33005
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's research, which addresses HLB citrus greening disease, has substantial merit and national importance given its potential to impact the food supply, agricultural industry, and U.S. farmers' livelihoods.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's research, which addresses HLB citrus greening disease, has substantial merit and national importance given its potential to impact the food supply, agricultural industry, and U.S. farmers' livelihoods.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-25_04_B5203; source_row=33003
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 to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

Because the Petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong, the AAO expressly reserved opinion on whether the record satisfies the third prong, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.

Why this is useful

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Because the Petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong, the AAO expressly reserved opinion on whether the record satisfies the third prong, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-25_01_B5203; source_row=32999
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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