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 9501–9510

EB-1AEB-1A · Scholarly authorshipEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics3 reviews

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Scholarly authorship

scholarly articles

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted the Director's finding that criterion (vi) was met.

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AAO accepted the Director's finding that criterion (vi) was met.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-07_01_B2203; source_row=30365
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · JudgingEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Physics3 reviews

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Judging

judging

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO accepted the Director's finding that peer review activity satisfied criterion (iv).

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AAO accepted the Director's finding that peer review activity satisfied criterion (iv).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-07_01_B2203; source_row=30363
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

License to practice the profession or certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not provide any evidence for this criterion.

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The Petitioner did not provide any evidence for this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-07_02_B5203; source_row=30373
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Ten years of full-time experience in the occupation

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO found inconsistencies among the employment letters, résumé, and ETA regarding job titles and companies, noted the self-employment letter was from an outsourced accountant without authority to speak to work duties, and found a lack of corroborating evidence such as client contracts or payments. No letter confirmed full-time status or adequately described IT-related duties.

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The AAO found inconsistencies among the employment letters, résumé, and ETA regarding job titles and companies, noted the self-employment letter was from an outsourced accountant without authority to speak to work duties, and found a lack of corroborating evidence such as client contracts or payments. No letter confirmed full-time status or adequately described IT-related duties.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-07_02_B5203; source_row=30372
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Official academic record showing degree or diploma

Why the evidence was persuasive

Although the Title of Technologist is not equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree for advanced-degree purposes, it constitutes an official academic record showing a degree or similar award from an institution of learning relating to the area of claimed exceptional ability.

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Although the Title of Technologist is not equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree for advanced-degree purposes, it constitutes an official academic record showing a degree or similar award from an institution of learning relating to the area of claimed exceptional ability.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-07_02_B5203; source_row=30371
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

Recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field

Why AAO was not persuaded

The recommendation letters described project results for individual clients but did not establish that the Petitioner received recognition for significant contributions to the IT industry or field. The reference materials discussed the importance of the field generally without mentioning the Petitioner. Merely working in an important field is insufficient.

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The recommendation letters described project results for individual clients but did not establish that the Petitioner received recognition for significant contributions to the IT industry or field. The reference materials discussed the importance of the field generally without mentioning the Petitioner. Merely working in an important field is insufficient.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-07_02_B5203; source_row=30376
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / ClinicalBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO finds substantial merit likely satisfied but national importance is not. The therapy work benefits a limited number of patients; industry-wide importance does not establish national importance of the specific endeavor; and the late-filed business plan is a material change with negligible evidentiary weight.

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AAO finds substantial merit likely satisfied but national importance is not. The therapy work benefits a limited number of patients; industry-wide importance does not establish national importance of the specific endeavor; and the late-filed business plan is a material change with negligible evidentiary weight.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-04_01_B5203; source_row=30351
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 agreed with the Director that the evidence failed to show national importance. The Petitioner's qualifications and the general importance of the IT field are insufficient; what matters is the specific proposed endeavor's broader impact. The letters of recommendation and economic arguments did not establish a direct connection to national-level impacts such as economic shifts or job creation.

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AAO agreed with the Director that the evidence failed to show national importance. The Petitioner's qualifications and the general importance of the IT field are insufficient; what matters is the specific proposed endeavor's broader impact. The letters of recommendation and economic arguments did not establish a direct connection to national-level impacts such as economic shifts or job creation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-04_03_B5203; source_row=30357
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 presidential memoranda confirm the oil and gas industry's importance but do not address the Petitioner's specific recruitment consulting activities or their impact. The relevant inquiry under Dhanasar is the national importance of the specific proposed endeavor, not the field generally, and the new evidence does not bridge that gap.

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The presidential memoranda confirm the oil and gas industry's importance but do not address the Petitioner's specific recruitment consulting activities or their impact. The relevant inquiry under Dhanasar is the national importance of the specific proposed endeavor, not the field generally, and the new evidence does not bridge that gap.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-04_02_B5203; source_row=30354
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

other

willful misrepresentation of a material fact

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO affirms the misrepresentation findings; the Beneficiary submitted no corroborating evidence and waived the recruitment and employee-count issues by failing to address them on appeal.

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AAO affirms the misrepresentation findings; the Beneficiary submitted no corroborating evidence and waived the recruitment and employee-count issues by failing to address them on appeal.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-11-04_04_B5203; source_row=30362
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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