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 831840

EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AIEngineer

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO finds that letters from experts describing the Petitioner's machine learning algorithm, CIM framework, and unmanned aerial systems guidelines, combined with citation evidence (248 citations, top 1% since 2018; 2018 article in top 10% with 97 citations in a top-ranked journal), establish major significance by a preponderance.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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AAO finds that letters from experts describing the Petitioner's machine learning algorithm, CIM framework, and unmanned aerial systems guidelines, combined with citation evidence (248 citations, top 1% since 2018; 2018 article in top 10% with 97 citations in a top-ranked journal), establish major significance by a preponderance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_04_B2203; source_row=44028
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary to the result given the failure to establish national importance under prong one.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary to the result given the failure to establish national importance under prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_05_B5203; source_row=44042
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

memberships

What the decision said

The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal, so the issue is considered abandoned/waived.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner did not contest the Director's finding on this criterion on appeal, so the issue is considered abandoned/waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_06_B2203; source_row=44044
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

artistic display

Why the evidence was persuasive

Both the Director and AAO found the Petitioner meets the artistic display criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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Both the Director and AAO found the Petitioner meets the artistic display criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_06_B2203; source_row=44047
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner's failure to meet the initial evidentiary threshold was dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO explicitly reserved the final merits determination because the Petitioner's failure to meet the initial evidentiary threshold was dispositive, citing INS v. Bagamasbad.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_06_B2203; source_row=44051
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

Well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

The AAO reserved judgment on the second prong because the Petitioner's failure under the first prong was dispositive, making any finding on the second prong unnecessary.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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The AAO reserved judgment on the second prong because the Petitioner's failure under the first prong was dispositive, making any finding on the second prong unnecessary.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_03_B5203; source_row=44024
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

academic record

Official academic record showing degree (criterion A)

What the decision said

AAO reserved judgment on criterion (A) because the Petitioner failed to meet at least two other criteria, rendering any finding on (A) purely advisory and unnecessary to the outcome.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO reserved judgment on criterion (A) because the Petitioner failed to meet at least two other criteria, rendering any finding on (A) purely advisory and unnecessary to the outcome.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_03_B5203; source_row=44017
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWten years experienceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

ten years experience

At least ten years of full-time experience (criterion B)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner submitted letters from former employers but most lacked required job duty descriptions, and employment after the petition filing date could not be considered. One employer letter met requirements but was insufficient alone to establish ten years. The CPA letter was not from a 'former employer' as required by the regulation.

Why this is useful

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

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The Petitioner submitted letters from former employers but most lacked required job duty descriptions, and employment after the petition filing date could not be considered. One employer letter met requirements but was insufficient alone to establish ten years. The CPA letter was not from a 'former employer' as required by the regulation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_03_B5203; source_row=44018
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

recognition

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field (criterion F)

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record contained recommendation letters and complementary emails praising the Petitioner's skills and success in specific projects, but none of the letters explained how his work contributed to the field more broadly beyond his immediate employers and customers. The Petitioner's on-appeal argument did not address the Director's conclusion on lack of broader contributions.

Why this is useful

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

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The record contained recommendation letters and complementary emails praising the Petitioner's skills and success in specific projects, but none of the letters explained how his work contributed to the field more broadly beyond his immediate employers and customers. The Petitioner's on-appeal argument did not address the Director's conclusion on lack of broader contributions.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_03_B5203; source_row=44022
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

license or certification

License to practice or certification for a profession or occupation (criterion C)

Why the evidence was persuasive

The AAO disagreed with the Director, finding that the record contained a copy of the Petitioner's relevant certification that satisfied the plain language of the criterion.

Why this is useful

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

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The AAO disagreed with the Director, finding that the record contained a copy of the Petitioner's relevant certification that satisfied the plain language of the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-10_03_B5203; source_row=44019
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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