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.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 8121–8130

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner demonstrated substantial merit (her work could alleviate a documented shortage, improve health, and have economic effects), but found she failed to establish national importance. Her specific proposal lacked evidence of broader field implications, projected economic impact of her clinic, or introduction of novel methodology to the U.S.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed that the Petitioner demonstrated substantial merit (her work could alleviate a documented shortage, improve health, and have economic effects), but found she failed to establish national importance. Her specific proposal lacked evidence of broader field implications, projected economic impact of her clinic, or introduction of novel methodology to the U.S. The expert letter was discounted because it focused on the profession's significance rather than the petitioner's specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_02_B5203; source_row=32420
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / ManagementManagerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's claims of national importance rested on generalized, unsupported assertions about job creation (six employees over five years), economic impact on suppliers and car dealerships, and benefits to 'economically depressed areas,' none of which rose to the level of national importance required under Dhanasar.…

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner's claims of national importance rested on generalized, unsupported assertions about job creation (six employees over five years), economic impact on suppliers and car dealerships, and benefits to 'economically depressed areas,' none of which rose to the level of national importance required under Dhanasar. The overall importance of small businesses collectively does not establish the national importance of the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_05_B5203; source_row=32430
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 declined to consider the post-RFE business plan as a materially changed endeavor and held that the original endeavor's importance to entrepreneurship/marketing as an industry, claimed professional shortages, and unspecified prospective impact did not establish national importance under Dhanasar.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO declined to consider the post-RFE business plan as a materially changed endeavor and held that the original endeavor's importance to entrepreneurship/marketing as an industry, claimed professional shortages, and unspecified prospective impact did not establish national importance under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_04_B5203; source_row=32427
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The original foreign-language document is missing, and it is unclear whether the credential is an official academic record or whether the issuing entity is an institution of learning under the regulation.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The original foreign-language document is missing, and it is unclear whether the credential is an official academic record or whether the issuing entity is an institution of learning under the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_01_B5203; source_row=32403
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO acknowledges in footnote 1 that the Petitioner satisfies the membership criterion.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO acknowledges in footnote 1 that the Petitioner satisfies the membership criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_01_B5203; source_row=32405
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

ten years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The letters do not appear to be from former employers, are not on employer letterhead, and the duties described were not in the management consultant occupation identified as the proposed endeavor.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The letters do not appear to be from former employers, are not on employer letterhead, and the duties described were not in the management consultant occupation identified as the proposed endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_01_B5203; source_row=32404
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The awards lack context showing they reflect achievements in the proposed endeavor's field; by the Petitioner's own description, they were given for contributions to companies served, not by peers, government, or professional/business organizations.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The awards lack context showing they reflect achievements in the proposed endeavor's field; by the Petitioner's own description, they were given for contributions to companies served, not by peers, government, or professional/business organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_01_B5203; source_row=32406
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision, finding the Petitioner's STAU certificates were not shown to constitute an official academic record, the employment letters did not establish the requisite five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience, no credential evaluation was submitted, and new evidence submitted on appeal would not be considered.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's decision, finding the Petitioner's STAU certificates were not shown to constitute an official academic record, the employment letters did not establish the requisite five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience, no credential evaluation was submitted, and new evidence submitted on appeal would not be considered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_03_B5203; source_row=32423
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

The documentation about the fellowship did not demonstrate its national or international significance in the field or show recognition beyond those associated with the granting organization. The newspaper article did not mention the Petitioner or establish national/international recognition for the fellowship.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The documentation about the fellowship did not demonstrate its national or international significance in the field or show recognition beyond those associated with the granting organization. The newspaper article did not mention the Petitioner or establish national/international recognition for the fellowship.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_02_B2203; source_row=32410
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's comparison to novice/recent-graduate marine biologists at the beginning of their careers was not a proper basis for comparison. The relevant comparison is to those performing similar services in the field, not beginners.

Why this is useful

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

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner's comparison to novice/recent-graduate marine biologists at the beginning of their careers was not a proper basis for comparison. The relevant comparison is to those performing similar services in the field, not beginners.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-06-08_02_B2203; source_row=32418
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment