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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 7761–7770
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
Because the Petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong, the AAO expressly reserved opinion on whether the record satisfies the second prong, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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Because the Petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong, the AAO expressly reserved opinion on whether the record satisfies the second prong, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-25_01_B5203; source_row=32998 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Business / Management
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial merit and national importance
Why AAO was not persuaded
The AAO agreed the business plan lacked specific details about the application's purpose, functionality, and development status (all listed as 'TBD'), rendering the claims of broad industry impact and financial projections of ~$500,000 by year five unverifiable and not credible.
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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The AAO agreed the business plan lacked specific details about the application's purpose, functionality, and development status (all listed as 'TBD'), rendering the claims of broad industry impact and financial projections of ~$500,000 by year five unverifiable and not credible.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-25_01_B5203; source_row=32997 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The Petitioner described her area of intended practice but failed to explain how her proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance. Her assertion that her work contributes to interstate commerce did not meet the burden of showing significant broader-level benefits.
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The Petitioner described her area of intended practice but failed to explain how her proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance. Her assertion that her work contributes to interstate commerce did not meet the burden of showing significant broader-level benefits.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-24_04_B5203; source_row=32994 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Biomedical / Life Sciences
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that while expert letters, citations, and citation statistics show the Petitioner is productive and his work has been relied upon by others, the evidence does not establish that his contributions have been widely implemented, remarkably impacted the field, or are otherwise of major significance.…
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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AAO found that while expert letters, citations, and citation statistics show the Petitioner is productive and his work has been relied upon by others, the evidence does not establish that his contributions have been widely implemented, remarkably impacted the field, or are otherwise of major significance. Expert letters focused on novelty and future potential rather than demonstrable current impact; citation rankings do not alone establish major significance; and the partial citing articles do not elevate his work above that of the many other cited sources.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-24_01_B2203; source_row=32978 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO agreed the endeavor had substantial merit given evidence of math teacher shortages and STEM education interests, but found national importance not demonstrated because the business would serve only a tiny fraction of U.S. children, did not show national or economically depressed area benefits, and did not advance the field of math education broadly.
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Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.
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AAO agreed the endeavor had substantial merit given evidence of math teacher shortages and STEM education interests, but found national importance not demonstrated because the business would serve only a tiny fraction of U.S. children, did not show national or economically depressed area benefits, and did not advance the field of math education broadly.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-24_01_B5203; source_row=32986 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO recognized it had previously misidentified the diploma addendum as the diploma, and that EDGE confirms the diplom spetsialista does not display the word 'specialist' on the document and is the only five-year Russian university degree.…
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AAO recognized it had previously misidentified the diploma addendum as the diploma, and that EDGE confirms the diplom spetsialista does not display the word 'specialist' on the document and is the only five-year Russian university degree. Amended translations removed the prior misleading reference to 'undergraduate education,' and a preponderance of the evidence supports the Petitioner's receipt of a master's-equivalent credential.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-24_01_B5203; source_row=32985 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
Substantial merit and national importance
What the decision said
AAO reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the threshold EB-2 advanced degree qualification, making the NIW analysis unnecessary.
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AAO reserved this prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the threshold EB-2 advanced degree qualification, making the NIW analysis unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-24_03_B5203; source_row=32991 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Advanced degree qualification (baccalaureate + 5 years progressive experience)
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed with the Director that the employment letters were deficient because they lacked specific dates of employment, hours per week, and specific duties, and therefore failed to establish the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty.
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AAO agreed with the Director that the employment letters were deficient because they lacked specific dates of employment, hours per week, and specific duties, and therefore failed to establish the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-24_03_B5203; source_row=32990 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Continuing ability to pay proffered wage from priority date
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agrees that the record as submitted does not establish ability to pay from the 2020 priority date, because the 2020 tax return was not included; however, AAO recognizes that the 2020 return may not have been available at adjudication time, justifying remand rather than denial.
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AAO agrees that the record as submitted does not establish ability to pay from the 2020 priority date, because the 2020 tax return was not included; however, AAO recognizes that the 2020 return may not have been available at adjudication time, justifying remand rather than denial.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-24_02_B5203; source_row=32989 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Biomedical / Life Sciences
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Final merits
final merits determination
What the decision said
AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed the step-1 threshold, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not support the required acclaim.
Why this is useful
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AAO declined to reach a formal final merits determination because the Petitioner failed the step-1 threshold, but noted in dicta that the aggregate record does not support the required acclaim.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-24_01_B2203; source_row=32984 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c