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 9391–9400

NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineer

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong, making it unnecessary to reach this issue.

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AAO explicitly reserved judgment on the second prong because the Petitioner failed to satisfy the first prong, making it unnecessary to reach this issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-12-01_01_B5203; source_row=30515
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineer

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the industry reports, memorandum, and expert letter all addressed the importance of the broader industry rather than the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor. The non-compete clause in her employment contract further limited her endeavor to services for her current employer. The expert letter failed to address how her specific work would have national or global implications.

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AAO found that the industry reports, memorandum, and expert letter all addressed the importance of the broader industry rather than the Petitioner's specific proposed endeavor. The non-compete clause in her employment contract further limited her endeavor to services for her current employer. The expert letter failed to address how her specific work would have national or global implications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-12-01_01_B5203; source_row=30514
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found the proposed endeavor too vague and inconsistently defined — spanning airline piloting, flight instruction, and opening a flight school without a clear timeline or indication of which role(s) would actually be pursued — to evaluate substantial merit or national importance.…

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The AAO found the proposed endeavor too vague and inconsistently defined — spanning airline piloting, flight instruction, and opening a flight school without a clear timeline or indication of which role(s) would actually be pursued — to evaluate substantial merit or national importance. Even assuming the Petitioner pursued all his stated goals, he had not substantiated how his specific contributions would address a national pilot shortage or yield national-level economic impacts.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-30_02_B5203; source_row=30506
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging the work of others

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the Petitioner did not meet this criterion because the petition was filed two months before the scheduled judging event, and when asked for evidence of actual participation, the Petitioner did not provide it. Eligibility must be established at the time of filing.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner did not meet this criterion because the petition was filed two months before the scheduled judging event, and when asked for evidence of actual participation, the Petitioner did not provide it. Eligibility must be established at the time of filing.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-30_01_B2203; source_row=30493
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the letters failed to describe how the Petitioner's position fit within the organizational hierarchy, did not specify how he contributed significantly to each company's outcomes, and lacked sufficient independent evidence establishing the distinguished reputation of the organizations.

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AAO found the letters failed to describe how the Petitioner's position fit within the organizational hierarchy, did not specify how he contributed significantly to each company's outcomes, and lacked sufficient independent evidence establishing the distinguished reputation of the organizations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-30_01_B2203; source_row=30495
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner did not submit sufficient documentary evidence that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field, lacking information on categories, selection criteria, significance, number of awardees, or how the Petitioner was recognized as a top film and media editor.

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AAO found the Petitioner did not submit sufficient documentary evidence that the awards are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence in the field, lacking information on categories, selection criteria, significance, number of awardees, or how the Petitioner was recognized as a top film and media editor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-30_01_B2203; source_row=30492
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reviewed the totality of the record and found the Petitioner has not established sustained national or international acclaim or that he is among the small percentage at the top of the field, characterizing him as a talented editor but not one who has risen to the very top.

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AAO reviewed the totality of the record and found the Petitioner has not established sustained national or international acclaim or that he is among the small percentage at the top of the field, characterizing him as a talented editor but not one who has risen to the very top.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-30_01_B2203; source_row=30496
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 while the record shows substantial merit (the financial services field is important), the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance. His proposed endeavor — providing financial and accounting services through his company — does not show broader prospective impact beyond his employer, company, and their clientele.…

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AAO agreed that while the record shows substantial merit (the financial services field is important), the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance. His proposed endeavor — providing financial and accounting services through his company — does not show broader prospective impact beyond his employer, company, and their clientele. The business plan's staffing and sales projections did not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects, and the claimed labor shortage argument was unpersuasive because the Petitioner did not show his endeavor would significantly reduce that shortage.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-30_03_B5203; source_row=30509
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

What the decision said

AAO found the Director provided no explanation or analysis of the evidence submitted, and remanded for a full evaluation of all evidence submitted in support of this criterion.

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AAO found the Director provided no explanation or analysis of the evidence submitted, and remanded for a full evaluation of all evidence submitted in support of this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-30_02_B2203; source_row=30500
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

authorship of scholarly articles

What the decision said

AAO deemed the criterion waived because the petitioner did not dispute the Director's conclusion on appeal.

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AAO deemed the criterion waived because the petitioner did not dispute the Director's conclusion on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-30_02_B2203; source_row=30503
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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