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 7811–7820

NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesFaculty

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Five years of full-time post-baccalaureate progressive experience in the specialty

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letters documented years of employment and duties but did not indicate full-time work, so the petitioner failed to demonstrate the required five years of full-time post-baccalaureate experience.

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The employer letters documented years of employment and duties but did not indicate full-time work, so the petitioner failed to demonstrate the required five years of full-time post-baccalaureate experience.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_06_B5203; source_row=32911
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesFaculty

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

Letters from employers showing at least ten years of full-time experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

The employer letters described years of employment and duties but did not indicate full-time work, which is required under the criterion.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The employer letters described years of employment and duties but did not indicate full-time work, which is required under the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_06_B5203; source_row=32913
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesFaculty

Issue evaluated

recognition

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters attested to the petitioner's taekwondo competencies and teaching capabilities but did not demonstrate recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field as required by the criterion.

Why this is useful

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The letters attested to the petitioner's taekwondo competencies and teaching capabilities but did not demonstrate recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field as required by the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_06_B5203; source_row=32916
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesFaculty

Issue evaluated

academic record

Official academic record showing degree relating to area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's degree is in law, which does not relate to her area of exceptional ability (taekwondo/self-defense instruction), so the criterion is not satisfied.

Why this is useful

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The petitioner's degree is in law, which does not relate to her area of exceptional ability (taekwondo/self-defense instruction), so the criterion is not satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_06_B5203; source_row=32912
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social SciencesFaculty

Issue evaluated

license or certification

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

The black belt cards were not accompanied by additional evidence or explanation of how they qualify as a license or certification to practice her profession as a taekwondo and self-defense instructor.

Why this is useful

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The black belt cards were not accompanied by additional evidence or explanation of how they qualify as a license or certification to practice her profession as a taekwondo and self-defense instructor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_06_B5203; source_row=32914
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

One-time major internationally recognized award

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO did not explicitly revisit this criterion at step 1 but implicitly affirmed the Director's finding by proceeding under the alternative criteria analysis.

Why this is useful

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AAO did not explicitly revisit this criterion at step 1 but implicitly affirmed the Director's finding by proceeding under the alternative criteria analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_01_B2203; source_row=32885
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

Published material about the alien

What the decision said

AAO disagreed with the Director that the published material criterion was met, and reserved consideration of this evidence for the final merits determination.

Why this is useful

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AAO disagreed with the Director that the published material criterion was met, and reserved consideration of this evidence for the final merits determination.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_01_B2203; source_row=32887
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination – sustained national or international acclaim

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion. The Jury Prize lacked demonstrated prestige within the acting field; media coverage was insufficient (articles lacking authors, lacking evidence of circulation, or not focused on acting); judging was limited to one confirmed instance; recommendation letters used identical language suggesting they were not independently authored; and the Petitioner's multilingual attributes rather t…

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO agreed with the Director's conclusion. The Jury Prize lacked demonstrated prestige within the acting field; media coverage was insufficient (articles lacking authors, lacking evidence of circulation, or not focused on acting); judging was limited to one confirmed instance; recommendation letters used identical language suggesting they were not independently authored; and the Petitioner's multilingual attributes rather than acclaimed acting talent explained his commercial hirings.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_01_B2203; source_row=32892
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

license or certification

license or certification to practice the profession

Why AAO was not persuaded

The English translation of the professional statement lacked the required certification of competence and contained translation errors. Even if properly certified, the professional statement was insufficient without documentary evidence from the Federal Council of Administration confirming licensure. Foreign language certificates lacked full English translations.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The English translation of the professional statement lacked the required certification of competence and contained translation errors. Even if properly certified, the professional statement was insufficient without documentary evidence from the Federal Council of Administration confirming licensure. Foreign language certificates lacked full English translations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_07_B5203; source_row=32922
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

recognition

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letter and certificate demonstrated only that the Petitioner's employer valued his services. They did not show that his contributions had an impact beyond his employer at an industry or field level.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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The letter and certificate demonstrated only that the Petitioner's employer valued his services. They did not show that his contributions had an impact beyond his employer at an industry or field level.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-18_07_B5203; source_row=32923
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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