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.
high salary or remuneration (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(D))
Why AAO was not persuaded
Internally generated business documents did not establish the Petitioner's individual earnings, contained unresolved currency-conversion inconsistencies, and the record lacked comparative salary data for entrepreneurs in his field.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Internally generated business documents did not establish the Petitioner's individual earnings, contained unresolved currency-conversion inconsistencies, and the record lacked comparative salary data for entrepreneurs in his field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-04_01_B5203; source_row=31643 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
ten years full-time experience letters (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))
Why AAO was not persuaded
Service invoices and employment letters did not provide sufficient information to establish ten years of full-time experience as an entrepreneur in IT and distance education.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Service invoices and employment letters did not provide sufficient information to establish ten years of full-time experience as an entrepreneur in IT and distance education.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-04_01_B5203; source_row=31641 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
recognition for achievements/significant contributions (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))
Why AAO was not persuaded
Letters of endorsement were testimonials about specific projects rather than evidence of impact on the broader field, and lacked corroborating objective evidence; one key letter did not establish whether the achievements occurred before the filing date.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Letters of endorsement were testimonials about specific projects rather than evidence of impact on the broader field, and lacked corroborating objective evidence; one key letter did not establish whether the achievements occurred before the filing date.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-04_01_B5203; source_row=31645 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
advanced degree or baccalaureate plus five years progressive experience
What the decision said
Director's decision did not adequately address whether Petitioner had the underlying baccalaureate degree or analyze the credentials evaluation; AAO remands for a sufficient finding.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Director's decision did not adequately address whether Petitioner had the underlying baccalaureate degree or analyze the credentials evaluation; AAO remands for a sufficient finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-04_01_B5203; source_row=31646 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))
Why AAO was not persuaded
Petitioner did not establish that AMA admits members based on professional credentials, and APEE/National Entrepreneurs Association memberships post-dated the petition's filing date and so could not be considered.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
Petitioner did not establish that AMA admits members based on professional credentials, and APEE/National Entrepreneurs Association memberships post-dated the petition's filing date and so could not be considered.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-04_01_B5203; source_row=31644 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 that the Petitioner had substantial merit (carried over from the prior appeal decision) but found national importance was not established. The new evidence addressed the importance of strategic financial planning generally rather than the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor, and the record did not show his work would extend beyond his employer(s) to impact the industry more broadly.
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 had substantial merit (carried over from the prior appeal decision) but found national importance was not established. The new evidence addressed the importance of strategic financial planning generally rather than the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor, and the record did not show his work would extend beyond his employer(s) to impact the industry more broadly.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-03_01_B5203; source_row=31631 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Social Sciences
Issue evaluated
procedural or other
Motion to Reconsider Requirements
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner did not identify any specific error of law or policy in the prior AAO decision. His motion largely duplicated the prior appeal's table. Additionally, the December 2022 offer letter cannot establish eligibility at the June 2021 filing date. Even if considered, the salary claim was unsupported and insufficient to establish the high salary criterion.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
The Petitioner did not identify any specific error of law or policy in the prior AAO decision. His motion largely duplicated the prior appeal's table. Additionally, the December 2022 offer letter cannot establish eligibility at the June 2021 filing date. Even if considered, the salary claim was unsupported and insufficient to establish the high salary criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-03_01_B2203; source_row=31629 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Criterion (F) – recognition for achievements and significant contributions by peers, governmental entities, or professional/business organizations
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that the business plan (Exhibit #4) addressed future activities and was not prepared by peers, governmental entities, or professional organizations, so it did not constitute recognition for past achievements. The training certificates did not demonstrate specific significant contributions.…
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
View full reasoning +
AAO found that the business plan (Exhibit #4) addressed future activities and was not prepared by peers, governmental entities, or professional organizations, so it did not constitute recognition for past achievements. The training certificates did not demonstrate specific significant contributions. The Academy certificate translation contained significant typographical errors ('certifi' and 'awarned') undermining its reliability and the sufficiency of the remaining evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-04-03_02_B5203; source_row=31636 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c