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 8481–8490

NIWEB-1A · MembershipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in professional associations

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found the Petitioner met criterion (E) via membership in the Society of Camera Operators. AAO agreed this satisfied the threshold criterion but noted in the final merits analysis that the organization did not appear to have membership requirements above those commonly found among active camera operators.

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The Director found the Petitioner met criterion (E) via membership in the Society of Camera Operators. AAO agreed this satisfied the threshold criterion but noted in the final merits analysis that the organization did not appear to have membership requirements above those commonly found among active camera operators.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-19_01_B5203; source_row=31858
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

Commanding a salary demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

While salary evidence was submitted, no comparative data was provided to show this salary is significantly above the median for the occupation; OOH data indicates the Beneficiary's wage is not significantly above the median annual wage of $38,580.

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While salary evidence was submitted, no comparative data was provided to show this salary is significantly above the median for the occupation; OOH data indicates the Beneficiary's wage is not significantly above the median annual wage of $38,580.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-18_03_B5203; source_row=31843
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree professional qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

No academic records were submitted, no evidence of baccalaureate-level education exists in the record, and the occupation of quality control inspector does not qualify as a 'profession' requiring a bachelor's degree for entry.

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No academic records were submitted, no evidence of baccalaureate-level education exists in the record, and the occupation of quality control inspector does not qualify as a 'profession' requiring a bachelor's degree for entry.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-18_03_B5203; source_row=31839
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The certificates do not state whether the Beneficiary is a member of the organization, and no other evidence of membership was submitted.

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The certificates do not state whether the Beneficiary is a member of the organization, and no other evidence of membership was submitted.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-18_03_B5203; source_row=31844
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 agreed the proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance. While private security as an industry is important, the Petitioner failed to show how his specific consulting/training endeavor would impact the field more broadly—he provided no data on how many schools or students would be served, how his services differ from existing ones, or any economic impact such as job creation or tax revenue.

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 proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance. While private security as an industry is important, the Petitioner failed to show how his specific consulting/training endeavor would impact the field more broadly—he provided no data on how many schools or students would be served, how his services differ from existing ones, or any economic impact such as job creation or tax revenue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-18_02_B5203; source_row=31836
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

commanding a salary demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion but withdrew the Director's characterization that comparable salary information was provided, finding the record lacks documentation comparing the salaries of private security specialists.

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AAO agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion but withdrew the Director's characterization that comparable salary information was provided, finding the record lacks documentation comparing the salaries of private security specialists.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-18_02_B5203; source_row=31833
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

Membership in professional associations

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner relied on SPJ membership but did not provide supporting evidence such as membership requirements or by-laws establishing SPJ is a professional association requiring a baccalaureate degree for entry.

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The Petitioner relied on SPJ membership but did not provide supporting evidence such as membership requirements or by-laws establishing SPJ is a professional association requiring a baccalaureate degree for entry.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-18_04_B5203; source_row=31852
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWrecognitionReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

recognition

Evidence of achievements and significant contributions

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach criterion (F) because the Petitioner could not establish the required minimum of three criteria regardless of the outcome on criterion (F).

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AAO declined to reach criterion (F) because the Petitioner could not establish the required minimum of three criteria regardless of the outcome on criterion (F).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-18_04_B5203; source_row=31853
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

license or certification

License or certification for the profession or occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner invoked the comparable evidence provision but failed to identify which evidence should be considered under this criterion or explain how it is comparable to a license or certification. The requirements for comparable evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(iii) were not satisfied.

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The Petitioner invoked the comparable evidence provision but failed to identify which evidence should be considered under this criterion or explain how it is comparable to a license or certification. The requirements for comparable evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(iii) were not satisfied.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-18_04_B5203; source_row=31851
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWacademic recordEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

academic record

Academic record (degree/diploma/certificate)

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director concluded the record contains sufficient evidence to meet criterion (A), and AAO did not disturb that finding.

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The Director concluded the record contains sufficient evidence to meet criterion (A), and AAO did not disturb that finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-18_04_B5203; source_row=31849
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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