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 9411–9420

EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Biomedical / Life Sciences

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the letters from her employer and clients, product design documentation, licensing contracts listing her as 'product owner,' and an industry research report reflecting her employer's status as an industry leader collectively satisfied the plain language of criterion (viii).

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AAO found the letters from her employer and clients, product design documentation, licensing contracts listing her as 'product owner,' and an industry research report reflecting her employer's status as an industry leader collectively satisfied the plain language of criterion (viii).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-29_02_B2203; source_row=30489
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

AAO agreed that the Petitioner conflated the importance of the fitness industry with the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor. Her business would operate on a local scale serving paying clients, lacked broader national or global implications, and her revenue projections were speculative and insufficiently supported.

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AAO agreed that the Petitioner conflated the importance of the fitness industry with the national importance of her specific proposed endeavor. Her business would operate on a local scale serving paying clients, lacked broader national or global implications, and her revenue projections were speculative and insufficiently supported.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-28_01_B5203; source_row=30481
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 — sustained national or international acclaim at top of field

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's national acclaim as a player and coach in Trinidad and Tobago was not sustained after he left his professional club in 2015. Published materials showed no coverage after September 2014. Recent judging activities, while acknowledging participation beyond his employer, did not establish how those activities placed him at the top of the field.…

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AAO found that the Petitioner's national acclaim as a player and coach in Trinidad and Tobago was not sustained after he left his professional club in 2015. Published materials showed no coverage after September 2014. Recent judging activities, while acknowledging participation beyond his employer, did not establish how those activities placed him at the top of the field. His youth coaching roles in California did not demonstrate national or international acclaim comparable to his prior achievements. The record did not show a career of acclaimed work meeting the extraordinary ability standard.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-23_01_B2203; source_row=30473
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Civil / Structural EngineeringManager

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO accepts substantial merit but finds the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance: the proposed endeavor's impact does not extend beyond his company and clientele, and the projected staffing/sales do not constitute substantial positive economic effects in an economically depressed area or otherwise.

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AAO accepts substantial merit but finds the Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance: the proposed endeavor's impact does not extend beyond his company and clientele, and the projected staffing/sales do not constitute substantial positive economic effects in an economically depressed area or otherwise.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-23_01_B5203; source_row=30474
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

Substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's proposed activities were a high-level, unfocused listing spanning learning English, establishing health clubs, writing scientific articles, and organizing events, which did not sufficiently substantiate a specific proposed endeavor with substantial merit rising to national importance.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's proposed activities were a high-level, unfocused listing spanning learning English, establishing health clubs, writing scientific articles, and organizing events, which did not sufficiently substantiate a specific proposed endeavor with substantial merit rising to national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-23_02_B5203; source_row=30478
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion that the Petitioner had not demonstrated it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement, without elaborating further, and remanded for a fresh analysis.

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AAO agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion that the Petitioner had not demonstrated it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement, without elaborating further, and remanded for a fresh analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-23_02_B5203; source_row=30480
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

Well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion that the Petitioner had not established he was well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor, without elaborating further, and remanded for a fresh analysis.

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AAO agreed with the Director's ultimate conclusion that the Petitioner had not established he was well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor, without elaborating further, and remanded for a fresh analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-23_02_B5203; source_row=30479
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherMaster’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

Advanced degree qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the credentials evaluation deficient because the evaluator analyzed only the master's degree equivalency without examining whether the underlying 1995 diploma equated to a U.S. baccalaureate degree. AAO also noted significant inconsistencies across documents regarding whether the Petitioner earned a Ph.D., the nature of his 1995 diploma, and the duration of his studies.…

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AAO found the credentials evaluation deficient because the evaluator analyzed only the master's degree equivalency without examining whether the underlying 1995 diploma equated to a U.S. baccalaureate degree. AAO also noted significant inconsistencies across documents regarding whether the Petitioner earned a Ph.D., the nature of his 1995 diploma, and the duration of his studies. Because a foreign master's degree can only qualify as 'above baccalaureate' if the petitioner already holds a baccalaureate-equivalent degree, the record failed to establish the predicate qualification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-23_02_B5203; source_row=30477
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organization

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found and AAO accepted that the Petitioner submitted evidence of performing in a leading or critical role for an organization with a distinguished reputation.

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The Director found and AAO accepted that the Petitioner submitted evidence of performing in a leading or critical role for an organization with a distinguished reputation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-23_01_B2203; source_row=30471
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Published materialEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Published material

published material about the petitioner

Why the evidence was persuasive

The Director found and AAO accepted that the Petitioner submitted evidence of published material about him and relating to his work as an athlete and coach.

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The Director found and AAO accepted that the Petitioner submitted evidence of published material about him and relating to his work as an athlete and coach.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-23_01_B2203; source_row=30468
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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