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 781790

NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIPhD19 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

Well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Petitioner, finding his doctoral degree, publication and citation record, support letters attesting to skills and knowledge, detailed plan for future activities, and evidence of other research teams' interest all establish he is well-positioned to advance his proposed endeavor.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO agreed with the Petitioner, finding his doctoral degree, publication and citation record, support letters attesting to skills and knowledge, detailed plan for future activities, and evidence of other research teams' interest all establish he is well-positioned to advance his proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_01_B5203; source_row=44083
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIPhD19 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the full credential evaluation, combined with the doctorate certificate and transcript, sufficient to establish equivalence to a U.S. doctoral degree.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the full credential evaluation, combined with the doctorate certificate and transcript, sufficient to establish equivalence to a U.S. doctoral degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_01_B5203; source_row=44081
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIPhD19 papers

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the record demonstrates the substantial merit and national importance of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor in cybersecurity technology, noting his highly cited publications, support letters attesting to national implications, and reports on nationally important cybersecurity issues.

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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AAO found the record demonstrates the substantial merit and national importance of the Petitioner's proposed endeavor in cybersecurity technology, noting his highly cited publications, support letters attesting to national implications, and reports on nationally important cybersecurity issues.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_01_B5203; source_row=44082
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic EngineeringEngineer

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

five years progressive post-baccalaureate experience equivalent to master's degree

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that none of the submitted documents fully satisfied the regulatory requirements, noting they lacked specific descriptions of duties and contained material discrepancies (e.g., the Certificate of Career listed 'senior manager' for the entire tenure when prior documents showed that title only from January 2023). The untranslated footer also undermined credibility.…

Why this is useful

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

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AAO agreed that none of the submitted documents fully satisfied the regulatory requirements, noting they lacked specific descriptions of duties and contained material discrepancies (e.g., the Certificate of Career listed 'senior manager' for the entire tenure when prior documents showed that title only from January 2023). The untranslated footer also undermined credibility. The Petitioner failed to resolve these discrepancies with independent, objective evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_02_B5203; source_row=44091
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

contributions of major significance

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on this criterion because, even if met, the Petitioner could not numerically reach the required minimum of three criteria and a ruling would be purely advisory.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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AAO reserved judgment on this criterion because, even if met, the Petitioner could not numerically reach the required minimum of three criteria and a ruling would be purely advisory.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_01_B2203; source_row=44079
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacked evidence of salaries in Turkey for those specifically in the field of general and operations managers during the relevant timeframe, some evidence was illegible, and the Petitioner did not show that material from other countries during an unspecified timeframe served as a proper basis for comparison. Comparable evidence claims raised for the first time on appeal were not considered.

Why this is useful

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

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The record lacked evidence of salaries in Turkey for those specifically in the field of general and operations managers during the relevant timeframe, some evidence was illegible, and the Petitioner did not show that material from other countries during an unspecified timeframe served as a proper basis for comparison. Comparable evidence claims raised for the first time on appeal were not considered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_01_B2203; source_row=44078
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO affirmed the Director's positive determination that the Petitioner satisfies the leading or critical role criterion.

Why this is useful

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AAO affirmed the Director's positive determination that the Petitioner satisfies the leading or critical role criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_01_B2203; source_row=44077
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

memberships

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner failed to describe what error the Director made, and AAO declined to consider comparable evidence raised for the first time on appeal because the regulation gave the Petitioner notice and a reasonable opportunity to submit such evidence before the denial.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner failed to describe what error the Director made, and AAO declined to consider comparable evidence raised for the first time on appeal because the regulation gave the Petitioner notice and a reasonable opportunity to submit such evidence before the denial.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_01_B2203; source_row=44076
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or other remuneration

Why the evidence was persuasive

SCOPS determined and AAO did not disturb the finding that the Petitioner met the high salary or other remuneration criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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SCOPS determined and AAO did not disturb the finding that the Petitioner met the high salary or other remuneration criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_02_B2203; source_row=44089
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role

Why the evidence was persuasive

SCOPS determined and AAO did not disturb the finding that the Petitioner met the leading or critical role criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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SCOPS determined and AAO did not disturb the finding that the Petitioner met the leading or critical role criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-14_02_B2203; source_row=44088
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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