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 911920

NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary given the prong-one failure.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved the third prong as unnecessary given the prong-one failure.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-07_01_B5203; source_row=43899
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved the second prong because the failure under prong one was dispositive.

Why this is useful

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AAO reserved the second prong because the failure under prong one was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-07_01_B5203; source_row=43898
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

The Director found this criterion satisfied. AAO reserved further review because the dispositive failure on another criterion meant Petitioner could not reach the required three.

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The Director found this criterion satisfied. AAO reserved further review because the dispositive failure on another criterion meant Petitioner could not reach the required three.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-07_01_B2203; source_row=43894
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Major awardNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Major award

one-time major internationally recognized award

What the decision said

Petitioner previously claimed a major, internationally recognized award but did not address this on appeal; AAO deems the issue waived.

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Petitioner previously claimed a major, internationally recognized award but did not address this on appeal; AAO deems the issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-07_01_B2203; source_row=43893
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 concluded the Petitioner offered generic and unsupported assertions about national impact, failed to show how filling one pilot or instructor role would meaningfully address an industry-wide shortage, and impermissibly relied on the importance of the aviation field rather than the specific endeavor.

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AAO concluded the Petitioner offered generic and unsupported assertions about national impact, failed to show how filling one pilot or instructor role would meaningfully address an industry-wide shortage, and impermissibly relied on the importance of the aviation field rather than the specific endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-07_05_B5203; source_row=43920
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO concluded the Petitioner did not show his consulting services would extend beyond the individual SMEs he would serve, did not demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers given modest projected hiring and revenue compared to the $15-17 billion industry, and did not show his techniques were unique or had national/global implications.

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AAO concluded the Petitioner did not show his consulting services would extend beyond the individual SMEs he would serve, did not demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers given modest projected hiring and revenue compared to the $15-17 billion industry, and did not show his techniques were unique or had national/global implications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-07_02_B5203; source_row=43905
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 found substantial merit was established but national importance was not. The Petitioner improperly relied on his employer's broad impact and the importance of the oil and gas industry rather than demonstrating the specific prospective impact of his proposed endeavor.…

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AAO found substantial merit was established but national importance was not. The Petitioner improperly relied on his employer's broad impact and the importance of the oil and gas industry rather than demonstrating the specific prospective impact of his proposed endeavor. Letters of recommendation lacked specificity and corroborating evidence for economic and environmental benefit claims, and the scope of impact directly attributable to the Petitioner was unclear.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-04_07_B5203; source_row=43890
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

Commanding a high salary demonstrating exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's pay stub and articles on motorcycle mechanic pay did not establish that his earnings exceeded the typical expectation in his field, so the salary evidence did not demonstrate exceptional ability.

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The Petitioner's pay stub and articles on motorcycle mechanic pay did not establish that his earnings exceeded the typical expectation in his field, so the salary evidence did not demonstrate exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-04_04_B5203; source_row=43878
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 Petitioner submitted a certificate of apprenticeship, recommendation letters, and documents from an association, but did not provide membership requirements or evidence that members must hold a U.S. baccalaureate degree or equivalent, so the professional nature of the association could not be confirmed.

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The Petitioner submitted a certificate of apprenticeship, recommendation letters, and documents from an association, but did not provide membership requirements or evidence that members must hold a U.S. baccalaureate degree or equivalent, so the professional nature of the association could not be confirmed.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-04_04_B5203; source_row=43879
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 concluded the projections and industry-level evidence did not show the specific endeavor would have substantial positive economic effects or broader implications rising to national importance.

Why this is useful

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AAO concluded the projections and industry-level evidence did not show the specific endeavor would have substantial positive economic effects or broader implications rising to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-04_06_B5203; source_row=43887
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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