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 9181–9190

NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

letters from current or former employers documenting experience

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO noted Director found this criterion satisfied; not disturbed on appeal.

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AAO noted Director found this criterion satisfied; not disturbed on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-26_01_B5203; source_row=30852
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO did not disturb the Director's abandonment finding.

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AAO did not disturb the Director's abandonment finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-26_01_B5203; source_row=30854
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

official academic record showing degree relating to area of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed the degree is not in the proposed endeavor's specialty (English language/literature) and therefore does not satisfy this criterion.

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AAO agreed the degree is not in the proposed endeavor's specialty (English language/literature) and therefore does not satisfy this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-26_01_B5203; source_row=30851
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Commercial successNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Commercial success

commercial success in the performing arts

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner failed to provide evidence of commercial success in the form of sales or receipts. The Petitioner's comparable evidence argument based on YouTube views was rejected because he failed to show the standard criteria do not apply, a majority of the YouTube evidence post-dated the filing date, and he provided no benchmark for what level of views constitutes commercial success.

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AAO affirmed the Director's finding that the Petitioner failed to provide evidence of commercial success in the form of sales or receipts. The Petitioner's comparable evidence argument based on YouTube views was rejected because he failed to show the standard criteria do not apply, a majority of the YouTube evidence post-dated the filing date, and he provided no benchmark for what level of views constitutes commercial success.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-25_01_B2203; source_row=30837
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not identify specific original artistic contributions of major significance. Reference letters praised his skills but lacked specifics showing his work widely impacted or influenced the field. The comparable evidence argument based on YouTube channel data was also rejected because the Petitioner failed to show the standard criteria do not apply to his occupation.

Why this is useful

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

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AAO found the Petitioner did not identify specific original artistic contributions of major significance. Reference letters praised his skills but lacked specifics showing his work widely impacted or influenced the field. The comparable evidence argument based on YouTube channel data was also rejected because the Petitioner failed to show the standard criteria do not apply to his occupation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-25_01_B2203; source_row=30834
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Mathematics / Statistics

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found that while the record supports a finding of substantial merit, the Petitioner failed to show that her proposed work would extend beyond her future employer or clientele to impact her field or the U.S. economy more broadly. The Petitioner's general statements about economic contribution and job creation lacked sufficient supporting evidence to demonstrate national importance.

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The AAO found that while the record supports a finding of substantial merit, the Petitioner failed to show that her proposed work would extend beyond her future employer or clientele to impact her field or the U.S. economy more broadly. The Petitioner's general statements about economic contribution and job creation lacked sufficient supporting evidence to demonstrate national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-24_02_B5203; source_row=30823
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 found the Director's analysis incomplete and remanded to allow consideration of new evidence including a revised business plan and funding commitment. AAO also flagged unresolved concerns about whether the Petitioner had adequately shown her background prepared her to run a private foundation, and whether third-party collaborators (universities) had made binding commitments.

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AAO found the Director's analysis incomplete and remanded to allow consideration of new evidence including a revised business plan and funding commitment. AAO also flagged unresolved concerns about whether the Petitioner had adequately shown her background prepared her to run a private foundation, and whether third-party collaborators (universities) had made binding commitments.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-24_01_B5203; source_row=30821
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's foreign bachelor's degree and letters of recommendation do not establish the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience to qualify as an advanced degree professional.

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The Petitioner's foreign bachelor's degree and letters of recommendation do not establish the required five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience to qualify as an advanced degree professional.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-24_03_B5203; source_row=30827
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

The Petitioner's proposed endeavor does not rise to the level of national importance because it does not extend sufficiently beyond his future employer(s) and clients to impact the broader financial industry or demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or provide substantial positive economic effects.

Why this is useful

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The Petitioner's proposed endeavor does not rise to the level of national importance because it does not extend sufficiently beyond his future employer(s) and clients to impact the broader financial industry or demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers or provide substantial positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-24_03_B5203; source_row=30828
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director failed to consider all elements of the proposed endeavor, noting that curriculum design activities could have broader impact than teacher training alone, and recommended the Director issue an RFE to further develop the record.

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 found the Director failed to consider all elements of the proposed endeavor, noting that curriculum design activities could have broader impact than teacher training alone, and recommended the Director issue an RFE to further develop the record.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-24_01_B5203; source_row=30820
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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