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 8981–8990

NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

successor-in-interest eligibility

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO applied the three-part Dial Auto Repair Shop test and found the Petitioner failed the first condition: no evidence showed the merger was filed with the relevant state authority before the petition was filed. Furthermore, the successor-in-interest doctrine did not apply because the Petitioner itself filed all prior benefit requests, leaving nothing to 'assume' from the predecessor.

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AAO applied the three-part Dial Auto Repair Shop test and found the Petitioner failed the first condition: no evidence showed the merger was filed with the relevant state authority before the petition was filed. Furthermore, the successor-in-interest doctrine did not apply because the Petitioner itself filed all prior benefit requests, leaving nothing to 'assume' from the predecessor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-27_02_B5203; source_row=31138
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor, including operating her own business, does not extend beyond her company and its clientele to impact the industry or field more broadly at a level commensurate with national importance, and that she has not shown significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner's proposed endeavor, including operating her own business, does not extend beyond her company and its clientele to impact the industry or field more broadly at a level commensurate with national importance, and that she has not shown significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=31125
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

Final merits determination — exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's final merits determination, agreeing that the evidence in totality did not establish the Petitioner's expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the helicopter pilot field.

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AAO adopted and affirmed the Director's final merits determination, agreeing that the evidence in totality did not establish the Petitioner's expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the helicopter pilot field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-24_02_B5203; source_row=31134
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,007 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that supporting evidence must reflect readership proximate to publication to show the medium's stature at the time. Several articles predated the circulation data by up to 15 years, reducing their probative value; one article was not about the Petitioner; one article lacked a known publication date; and the translation for the Fakty Ukraine article lacked a required certification while its circulation data came f…

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AAO agreed that supporting evidence must reflect readership proximate to publication to show the medium's stature at the time. Several articles predated the circulation data by up to 15 years, reducing their probative value; one article was not about the Petitioner; one article lacked a known publication date; and the translation for the Fakty Ukraine article lacked a required certification while its circulation data came from unreliable Wikipedia sources.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-24_02_B2203; source_row=31128
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,007 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO rejected the alternative comparable-evidence argument because the Petitioner's own affirmative materials asserted the standards readily applied, making the two positions irreconcilable. On the merits, appearing in print/digital media does not constitute display at an 'artistic exhibition or showcase,' and runway appearances placed the focus on the fashion items rather than on the Petitioner's own work.

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AAO rejected the alternative comparable-evidence argument because the Petitioner's own affirmative materials asserted the standards readily applied, making the two positions irreconcilable. On the merits, appearing in print/digital media does not constitute display at an 'artistic exhibition or showcase,' and runway appearances placed the focus on the fashion items rather than on the Petitioner's own work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-24_02_B2203; source_row=31130
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,007 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

While some letters characterized the Petitioner as a pioneer for models with a unique appearance, they lacked specifics demonstrating major significance. The Petitioner did not establish that prior to her career models with her features were absent from the industry, nor that her emergence caused a widespread shift in the industry's hiring of similarly featured models.

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

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While some letters characterized the Petitioner as a pioneer for models with a unique appearance, they lacked specifics demonstrating major significance. The Petitioner did not establish that prior to her career models with her features were absent from the industry, nor that her emergence caused a widespread shift in the industry's hiring of similarly featured models.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-24_02_B2203; source_row=31129
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other2,007 papers

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial success in the performing arts (comparable evidence)

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed with the Director's reasoning that comparable evidence was categorically impermissible under this criterion, holding instead that comparable evidence demonstrating a monetary or commercially successful aspect could satisfy this criterion.…

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AAO disagreed with the Director's reasoning that comparable evidence was categorically impermissible under this criterion, holding instead that comparable evidence demonstrating a monetary or commercially successful aspect could satisfy this criterion. However, the Petitioner's evidence lacked the required monetary or commercial component — she did not show compensation figures, revenue increases, or similar financially measurable proof of commercial success.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-24_02_B2203; source_row=31131
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the third prong given the failure to satisfy the first prong.

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AAO did not reach the third prong given the failure to satisfy the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=31127
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO noted that the Petitioner's experience and abilities relate to the second prong, which shifts focus to the foreign national, but did not reach a conclusion on this prong because the first prong was not met.

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AAO noted that the Petitioner's experience and abilities relate to the second prong, which shifts focus to the foreign national, but did not reach a conclusion on this prong because the first prong was not met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-24_01_B5203; source_row=31126
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Official academic record

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO withdrew the Director's finding that criterion (A) was met, concluding that it was not readily apparent the aviation school qualifies as a 'college, university, school or other institution of learning' or that the certificates constitute an 'official academic record' under the regulatory plain language.

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AAO withdrew the Director's finding that criterion (A) was met, concluding that it was not readily apparent the aviation school qualifies as a 'college, university, school or other institution of learning' or that the certificates constitute an 'official academic record' under the regulatory plain language.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-02-24_02_B5203; source_row=31133
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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