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 8371–8380

EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

participation as a judge of the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the letters about the skating awards were inconsistent with a press release describing an online public voting process rather than a jury, and therefore gave the letters no evidentiary weight. The letter about the fair lacked sufficient specifics such as dates, number of contestants, and other details, and was not corroborated by documentary evidence.

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AAO found that the letters about the skating awards were inconsistent with a press release describing an online public voting process rather than a jury, and therefore gave the letters no evidentiary weight. The letter about the fair lacked sufficient specifics such as dates, number of contestants, and other details, and was not corroborated by documentary evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-05_01_B2203; source_row=32035
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion based on evidence that her costumes were displayed at figure skating, ice dancing, synchronized swimming competitions, theatrical performances, and other artistic exhibitions.

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AAO found the Petitioner met this criterion based on evidence that her costumes were displayed at figure skating, ice dancing, synchronized swimming competitions, theatrical performances, and other artistic exhibitions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-05_01_B2203; source_row=32038
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while the Petitioner's endeavor has substantial merit and the fields of distance education and STEM are important, the Petitioner did not establish that her specific proposed consulting endeavor would have national importance.…

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AAO found that while the Petitioner's endeavor has substantial merit and the fields of distance education and STEM are important, the Petitioner did not establish that her specific proposed consulting endeavor would have national importance. The large student numbers cited related to past employer contexts rather than her own proposed firm, and the evidence did not show her model or services would impact the field of distance education beyond individual clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-04_05_B5203; source_row=32020
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner had not shown she was well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor. She lacked demonstrated knowledge of the U.S. education system and U.S. learning platforms, had not shown success running her own consulting firm, and had insufficient evidence of business planning or interested clients.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner had not shown she was well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor. She lacked demonstrated knowledge of the U.S. education system and U.S. learning platforms, had not shown success running her own consulting firm, and had insufficient evidence of business planning or interested clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-04_05_B5203; source_row=32021
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, waiving the job offer requirement would benefit the United States

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Schedule A, Group II argument was speculative and relied on a misreading of regulations, as Schedule A incorporates a job offer requirement rather than waiving it. The Petitioner's recognition was considerably more limited, largely confined to parts of Florida, and his childhood/student awards did not show recognition available to established musicians.

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AAO found the Schedule A, Group II argument was speculative and relied on a misreading of regulations, as Schedule A incorporates a job offer requirement rather than waiving it. The Petitioner's recognition was considerably more limited, largely confined to parts of Florida, and his childhood/student awards did not show recognition available to established musicians.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-04_02_B5203; source_row=32012
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the record attests to the Petitioner's training and experience as a cellist, but the proposed endeavor involves more than playing cello. The Petitioner failed to show he is well-positioned for a faculty job, did not specify the type of institution, did not establish necessary credentials, and did not show progress toward the quartet. AAO also noted his new improvisation model was a material change to the petition.

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AAO found the record attests to the Petitioner's training and experience as a cellist, but the proposed endeavor involves more than playing cello. The Petitioner failed to show he is well-positioned for a faculty job, did not specify the type of institution, did not establish necessary credentials, and did not show progress toward the quartet. AAO also noted his new improvisation model was a material change to the petition.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-04_02_B5203; source_row=32011
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 not national importance. The business plan's projections of 30 jobs and $1.84 million in wages lacked corroborating evidence and did not rise to national importance even if accepted at face value. Recommendation letters addressed only past accomplishments and not the prospective national impact of the endeavor.…

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AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but not national importance. The business plan's projections of 30 jobs and $1.84 million in wages lacked corroborating evidence and did not rise to national importance even if accepted at face value. Recommendation letters addressed only past accomplishments and not the prospective national impact of the endeavor. The expert opinion was not supported by evidence of actual collaborative work with Latin American companies. Industry reports did not attribute specific economic impact to the Petitioner's endeavor. The Petitioner failed to show her work would impact the marketing field more broadly beyond her clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-04_01_B5203; source_row=32007
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed that the Petitioner's public health arguments were not asserted in the 2018 petition filing and relied heavily on 2020 pandemic-era changes, which cannot retroactively establish national importance as of the filing date. The product line in 2018 included items like rust removers and dry cleaning agents with no direct relationship to public health.

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AAO affirmed that the Petitioner's public health arguments were not asserted in the 2018 petition filing and relied heavily on 2020 pandemic-era changes, which cannot retroactively establish national importance as of the filing date. The product line in 2018 included items like rust removers and dry cleaning agents with no direct relationship to public health.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-04_03_B5203; source_row=32014
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the Petitioner described importance in terms of his employer's projects and customers and did not show how his role would impact the field of energy systems maintenance or design at a national level, nor any substantial positive economic effects.

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AAO agrees the Petitioner described importance in terms of his employer's projects and customers and did not show how his role would impact the field of energy systems maintenance or design at a national level, nor any substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-04_07_B5203; source_row=32026
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree profession qualification

What the decision said

AAO observed that the record likely does not establish that the Petitioner's occupation requires a bachelor's degree for entry, noting that DOL's Occupational Outlook Handbook says many classical performers hold bachelor's degrees but does not state it is required. AAO ultimately reserved the issue because the NIW analysis was dispositive.

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AAO observed that the record likely does not establish that the Petitioner's occupation requires a bachelor's degree for entry, noting that DOL's Occupational Outlook Handbook says many classical performers hold bachelor's degrees but does not state it is required. AAO ultimately reserved the issue because the NIW analysis was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-05-04_02_B5203; source_row=32013
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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