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 8011–8020

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with distinguished reputation

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's 'entire organization' requirement to be incorrect per USCIS Policy Manual, which explicitly allows a leading or critical role for a division or department. AAO also found it improper to evaluate sustained acclaim at step-1, and remanded for re-evaluation.

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AAO found the Director's 'entire organization' requirement to be incorrect per USCIS Policy Manual, which explicitly allows a leading or critical role for a division or department. AAO also found it improper to evaluate sustained acclaim at step-1, and remanded for re-evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=32617
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

What the decision said

AAO agreed with the Petitioner that the Director conflated step-1 and step-2 analysis under Kazarian by requiring the judging evidence to show sustained acclaim, and remanded for re-evaluation under the plain language of the criterion.

Why this is useful

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AAO agreed with the Petitioner that the Director conflated step-1 and step-2 analysis under Kazarian by requiring the judging evidence to show sustained acclaim, and remanded for re-evaluation under the plain language of the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=32614
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

AAO found the Director erred by improperly discounting the translator-certified award certificate and by imposing a non-existent 'major media' requirement for supporting articles. AAO reserved the ultimate determination and remanded for re-evaluation.

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AAO found the Director erred by improperly discounting the translator-certified award certificate and by imposing a non-existent 'major media' requirement for supporting articles. AAO reserved the ultimate determination and remanded for re-evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-26_01_B2203; source_row=32612
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner failed prong 1, additionally faulting the inconsistency between his sales-manager and CEO/entrepreneur endeavors and the lack of evidence tying his work to broader economic impact.

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 agreed the Petitioner failed prong 1, additionally faulting the inconsistency between his sales-manager and CEO/entrepreneur endeavors and the lack of evidence tying his work to broader economic impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-23_01_B5203; source_row=32602
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed because the record contained no academic credentials evaluation showing the foreign Brazilian bachelor's degree and MBA certificate were equivalent to a U.S. advanced degree.

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AAO disagreed because the record contained no academic credentials evaluation showing the foreign Brazilian bachelor's degree and MBA certificate were equivalent to a U.S. advanced degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-23_01_B5203; source_row=32600
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the Petitioner's proposed IT consulting endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance. The expert letter addressed only the general importance of the IT industry, not the specific proposed endeavor.…

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AAO agreed the Petitioner's proposed IT consulting endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance. The expert letter addressed only the general importance of the IT industry, not the specific proposed endeavor. The business plan's revenue and staffing projections were unsupported, and the Petitioner failed to show the endeavor's impact would extend beyond his company and its clients to the broader field or economy. Geographic errors in the business plan also raised plausibility concerns.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-23_03_B5203; source_row=32609
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

FinanceManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found substantial merit established after reviewing the updated professional plan describing specific goals at the Petitioner's employer. However, national importance was not established because the Petitioner's endeavor did not extend beyond her current employer, the recommendation and expert letters addressed her individual skills rather than broader impact, and research reports about the importance of business profes…

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AAO found substantial merit established after reviewing the updated professional plan describing specific goals at the Petitioner's employer. However, national importance was not established because the Petitioner's endeavor did not extend beyond her current employer, the recommendation and expert letters addressed her individual skills rather than broader impact, and research reports about the importance of business professionals do not show national importance of her specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-23_02_B5203; source_row=32606
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

FinanceManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's foreign degree is only a bachelor's equivalent, not above it. Her post-baccalaureate experience amounts to roughly nine months at one employer and six months at another, far short of the required five progressive years. The associate degree does not qualify as an advanced degree above her bachelor's.

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The Petitioner's foreign degree is only a bachelor's equivalent, not above it. Her post-baccalaureate experience amounts to roughly nine months at one employer and six months at another, far short of the required five progressive years. The associate degree does not qualify as an advanced degree above her bachelor's.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-23_02_B5203; source_row=32605
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

exceptional ability

What the decision said

AAO reserved this issue because the NIW denial was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved this issue because the NIW denial was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-23_01_B5203; source_row=32601
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO noted that the Petitioner's education, skills, knowledge, and experience relate to the second prong of the Dhanasar framework but did not make a finding on this prong because the first prong was not met and the matter was resolved on that basis.

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 noted that the Petitioner's education, skills, knowledge, and experience relate to the second prong of the Dhanasar framework but did not make a finding on this prong because the first prong was not met and the matter was resolved on that basis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-23_03_B5203; source_row=32610
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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