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 9271–9280

NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed: military medals acknowledge service as a military officer but do not reflect recognition for significant contributions in military instruction, entrepreneurship, or sales. The letters described completion of administrative tasks, not recognition for significant contributions to the relevant fields.

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AAO agreed: military medals acknowledge service as a military officer but do not reflect recognition for significant contributions in military instruction, entrepreneurship, or sales. The letters described completion of administrative tasks, not recognition for significant contributions to the relevant fields.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-06_01_B5203; source_row=30689
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Degree, diploma, or similar award relating to area of exceptional ability (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(A))

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed this category was met.

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AAO agreed this category was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-06_01_B5203; source_row=30686
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Why AAO was not persuaded

None of the Petitioner's cited materials on appeal constitutes scholarly articles published in professional or major trade publications or other major media. Manuscripts under revision are unpublished, patents are not scholarly articles, a bare assertion that a dissertation was published does not demonstrate it was in qualifying media, and conference presentations are not supported by corroborating evidence.

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None of the Petitioner's cited materials on appeal constitutes scholarly articles published in professional or major trade publications or other major media. Manuscripts under revision are unpublished, patents are not scholarly articles, a bare assertion that a dissertation was published does not demonstrate it was in qualifying media, and conference presentations are not supported by corroborating evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-05_01_B2203; source_row=30666
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record does not establish that the Petitioner led or performed a critical role at any of the identified organizations (the universities or school district), nor that any of those organizations have a distinguished reputation through documented eminence or excellence.

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The record does not establish that the Petitioner led or performed a critical role at any of the identified organizations (the universities or school district), nor that any of those organizations have a distinguished reputation through documented eminence or excellence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-05_01_B2203; source_row=30667
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record contains no comparative salary data for others in the field; the union contract shows only a minimum salary, not that the Petitioner earned the highest allowed; and a post-filing offer letter for a 'Scientist III' role at $68,000 does not establish that salary is high relative to others in that field.

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The record contains no comparative salary data for others in the field; the union contract shows only a minimum salary, not that the Petitioner earned the highest allowed; and a post-filing offer letter for a 'Scientist III' role at $68,000 does not establish that salary is high relative to others in that field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-05_01_B2203; source_row=30668
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

Even accepting the AAAS and ACTE as preeminent associations, the plain language of the criterion requires that membership associations require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts. The Petitioner did not assert and the record does not support that either organization imposes such a requirement.

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Even accepting the AAAS and ACTE as preeminent associations, the plain language of the criterion requires that membership associations require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts. The Petitioner did not assert and the record does not support that either organization imposes such a requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-05_01_B2203; source_row=30664
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 found the Petitioner's proposed endeavor was neither clearly defined nor nationally important. The initial description of working as a treasurer/controller for unidentified companies lacked national scope, and the later-introduced wallpaper company and real estate activities were inconsistent with and contradicted the original proposed endeavor, preventing a finding of national importance for any single endeavor.

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AAO found the Petitioner's proposed endeavor was neither clearly defined nor nationally important. The initial description of working as a treasurer/controller for unidentified companies lacked national scope, and the later-introduced wallpaper company and real estate activities were inconsistent with and contradicted the original proposed endeavor, preventing a finding of national importance for any single endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-05_02_B5203; source_row=30674
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification — foreign degree equivalency

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Director's reliance on EDGE was based on the wrong credential ('titulo de master' rather than 'master universitario'), requiring remand for reconsideration with the correct information.

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AAO found the Director's reliance on EDGE was based on the wrong credential ('titulo de master' rather than 'master universitario'), requiring remand for reconsideration with the correct information.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-05_03_B5203; source_row=30677
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 affirmed on appeal that national importance was not established, and on this second motion to reopen found that the petitioner still submitted no new facts or documentary evidence sufficient to overcome this deficiency.

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AAO affirmed on appeal that national importance was not established, and on this second motion to reopen found that the petitioner still submitted no new facts or documentary evidence sufficient to overcome this deficiency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-05_01_B5203; source_row=30671
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that while the cybersecurity field has national importance, the Petitioner did not connect her specific proposed endeavor as a business development manager within a single company's cybersecurity sales department to national initiatives. The economic projections lacked methodological foundation, and the EIA merely extrapolated figures the Petitioner herself supplied without independent verification.…

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AAO found that while the cybersecurity field has national importance, the Petitioner did not connect her specific proposed endeavor as a business development manager within a single company's cybersecurity sales department to national initiatives. The economic projections lacked methodological foundation, and the EIA merely extrapolated figures the Petitioner herself supplied without independent verification. Even accepting the projections, the Petitioner did not show how benefits would accrue to the national economy rather than to the companies involved.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-01-05_04_B5203; source_row=30679
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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