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 8281–8290

NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

commanded a salary or other remuneration demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the salary evidence insufficient because the Petitioner did not explain how his earnings demonstrated exceptional ability, the comparison data was internally inconsistent and ambiguous as to company size category, and even if the salary appeared high relative to some categories, the evidence was inadequate to establish it was indicative of exceptional ability.

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AAO found the salary evidence insufficient because the Petitioner did not explain how his earnings demonstrated exceptional ability, the comparison data was internally inconsistent and ambiguous as to company size category, and even if the salary appeared high relative to some categories, the evidence was inadequate to establish it was indicative of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-15_02_B5203; source_row=32156
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 that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. His proposed work as an airport operations specialist may benefit individual employers but the record lacks evidence of prospective national-level economic impact, job creation, or broader industry implications.…

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to establish national importance. His proposed work as an airport operations specialist may benefit individual employers but the record lacks evidence of prospective national-level economic impact, job creation, or broader industry implications. Expert letters focused on the importance of the aviation industry generally rather than the specific proposed endeavor, and mere alignment with federal budget priorities is insufficient without demonstrating the specific endeavor's prospective impact.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-15_02_B5203; source_row=32160
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

five years post-baccalaureate progressive experience

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner completed his bachelor's degree in December 2014 and last worked in the relevant field in February 2017, yielding fewer than three years of post-baccalaureate experience—insufficient to satisfy the five-year requirement as an advanced degree equivalent.

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AAO found the Petitioner completed his bachelor's degree in December 2014 and last worked in the relevant field in February 2017, yielding fewer than three years of post-baccalaureate experience—insufficient to satisfy the five-year requirement as an advanced degree equivalent.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-15_02_B5203; source_row=32152
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record lacks academic transcripts and a credential evaluation; EDGE indicates the Bacharel em Direito is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree and the MBA certificate only to unspecified university study. Without transcripts and an evaluation, a full determination of advanced degree equivalency cannot be made.

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The record lacks academic transcripts and a credential evaluation; EDGE indicates the Bacharel em Direito is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree and the MBA certificate only to unspecified university study. Without transcripts and an evaluation, a full determination of advanced degree equivalency cannot be made.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-15_01_B5203; source_row=32148
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

at least ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner demonstrated less than eight years in airport/airline operations (June 2009–February 2017), and his prior work as an office assistant was in unrelated industries, falling short of the required ten years in the relevant occupation.

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AAO found the Petitioner demonstrated less than eight years in airport/airline operations (June 2009–February 2017), and his prior work as an office assistant was in unrelated industries, falling short of the required ten years in the relevant occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-15_02_B5203; source_row=32154
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not establish that ABBTUR qualifies as a professional association as defined in the regulations (requiring a bachelor's degree for entry into the occupation), and the membership card had expired only four months after filing. Even if the association qualified, ongoing membership was not demonstrated.

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AAO found the Petitioner did not establish that ABBTUR qualifies as a professional association as defined in the regulations (requiring a bachelor's degree for entry into the occupation), and the membership card had expired only four months after filing. Even if the association qualified, ongoing membership was not demonstrated.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-15_02_B5203; source_row=32157
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the professional identification card did not constitute a license to practice the profession or a certification related to his occupation, noting it was issued after he left employment in Brazil, had expired, and was not shown to be required for his intended U.S. occupation. The tax clearance certificate was also insufficient.

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AAO found the professional identification card did not constitute a license to practice the profession or a certification related to his occupation, noting it was issued after he left employment in Brazil, had expired, and was not shown to be required for his intended U.S. occupation. The tax clearance certificate was also insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-15_02_B5203; source_row=32155
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record showing degree relating to area of exceptional ability

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion based on his bachelor's degree diploma and transcripts in tourism from a Brazilian university.

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AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion based on his bachelor's degree diploma and transcripts in tourism from a Brazilian university.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-15_02_B5203; source_row=32153
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination — exceptional ability

What the decision said

AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits analysis given the failure to meet the initial evidentiary threshold, but noted in dicta that the record would not support a finding of exceptional ability.

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AAO declined to conduct a formal final merits analysis given the failure to meet the initial evidentiary threshold, but noted in dicta that the record would not support a finding of exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-15_02_B5203; source_row=32159
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 Petitioner described her endeavor only in terms of generic occupational duties, which does not constitute a specific endeavor. The expert letter was not in accord with the record evidence and was not granted decisive weight. The post-filing business plan and company incorporation were material changes made after filing and could not establish eligibility at the time of filing.…

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner described her endeavor only in terms of generic occupational duties, which does not constitute a specific endeavor. The expert letter was not in accord with the record evidence and was not granted decisive weight. The post-filing business plan and company incorporation were material changes made after filing and could not establish eligibility at the time of filing. Even if considered, the projected 14 employees and $1.4M revenue would not rise to the level of national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-12_08_B5203; source_row=32145
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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