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 7911–7920

NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO reserves this prong because the EB-2 exceptional ability denial is dispositive.

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AAO reserves this prong because the EB-2 exceptional ability denial is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-11_07_B5203; source_row=32780
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO reserves this prong because the underlying EB-2 denial is dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserves this prong because the underlying EB-2 denial is dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-11_07_B5203; source_row=32782
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO noted that the Petitioner's skills, knowledge, and prior work relate to the second prong but did not reach a conclusion on this prong because prong one was dispositive.

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AAO noted that the Petitioner's skills, knowledge, and prior work relate to the second prong but did not reach a conclusion on this prong because prong one was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-11_02_B5203; source_row=32762
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

exceptional ability classification

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue because the Petitioner met the EB-2 classification as an advanced degree professional, making a finding on exceptional ability unnecessary.

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AAO reserved this issue because the Petitioner met the EB-2 classification as an advanced degree professional, making a finding on exceptional ability unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-11_04_B5203; source_row=32768
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO reviewed the totality of evidence—the Brazilian law degree, transcripts, credential evaluation, and self-employment documentation—and found the Petitioner more likely than not possessed a foreign equivalent of a bachelor's degree plus at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty.

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AAO reviewed the totality of evidence—the Brazilian law degree, transcripts, credential evaluation, and self-employment documentation—and found the Petitioner more likely than not possessed a foreign equivalent of a bachelor's degree plus at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-11_04_B5203; source_row=32767
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary under Bagamasbad. AAO noted that the Petitioner's experience and ability claims relate to the second prong rather than the first.

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AAO declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner failed to establish the first prong, making further analysis unnecessary under Bagamasbad. AAO noted that the Petitioner's experience and ability claims relate to the second prong rather than the first.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-11_08_B5203; source_row=32784
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner's proposed endeavor does not sufficiently extend beyond her company and its clientele to broadly impact the industry or field at a level commensurate with national importance. The Petitioner did not demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or offer substantial positive economic effects nationally.…

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AAO agreed the Petitioner's proposed endeavor does not sufficiently extend beyond her company and its clientele to broadly impact the industry or field at a level commensurate with national importance. The Petitioner did not demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or offer substantial positive economic effects nationally. Her appeal merely restated her expertise without engaging the Director's specific findings.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-10_01_B5203; source_row=32755
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found substantial merit in the proposed endeavor given the trucking company's role in interstate commerce and delivery services, but found the Petitioner failed to show national importance.…

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The AAO found substantial merit in the proposed endeavor given the trucking company's role in interstate commerce and delivery services, but found the Petitioner failed to show national importance. The business plan projections lacked adequate basis, the expert letter conflicted with other record evidence and was given less weight, and general references to small business and immigrant entrepreneur studies did not establish broader national or global implications specific to the Petitioner's endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-07_06_B5203; source_row=32746
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but concluded it lacks national importance because the Petitioner did not show how his specific proposed work—continuing as operations manager for his current employer—would have broader implications for the industry or the nation.…

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AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but concluded it lacks national importance because the Petitioner did not show how his specific proposed work—continuing as operations manager for his current employer—would have broader implications for the industry or the nation. Expert letters addressed broader technologies not included in the proposed endeavor, and infrastructure reports focused on the industry as a whole rather than the Petitioner's specific work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-07_03_B5203; source_row=32737
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's Venezuelan diploma was evaluated as equivalent only to a U.S. associate's degree, not a bachelor's degree. The regulations require at least a bachelor's degree as the foundation for the advanced-degree equivalency, and experience cannot substitute for that foundational degree.

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The Petitioner's Venezuelan diploma was evaluated as equivalent only to a U.S. associate's degree, not a bachelor's degree. The regulations require at least a bachelor's degree as the foundation for the advanced-degree equivalency, and experience cannot substitute for that foundational degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-07-07_03_B5203; source_row=32729
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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