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 9541–9550

EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reconsider – Legal/Policy Error

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner did not identify any law or USCIS policy that was inconsistently applied; he merely reasserted previously considered arguments and evidence. AAO found that originality and major significance are separate elements, and that the State Farm arbitrary-and-capricious standard was not met given the comprehensive nature of AAO's prior analysis.

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The Petitioner did not identify any law or USCIS policy that was inconsistently applied; he merely reasserted previously considered arguments and evidence. AAO found that originality and major significance are separate elements, and that the State Farm arbitrary-and-capricious standard was not met given the comprehensive nature of AAO's prior analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-31_02_B2203; source_row=30310
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1Aprocedural or otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

procedural or other

Motion to Reopen – New Facts and Evidence

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Rolling Stone article post-dated the filing and could not establish eligibility at the time of filing. The new reference letters were similar in content to prior submissions and, while showing influence on individuals, did not demonstrate that the Petitioner's work constitutes contributions of major significance in the field.

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The Rolling Stone article post-dated the filing and could not establish eligibility at the time of filing. The new reference letters were similar in content to prior submissions and, while showing influence on individuals, did not demonstrate that the Petitioner's work constitutes contributions of major significance in the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-31_02_B2203; source_row=30309
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 reaffirmed its prior finding that the Petitioner did not meet this criterion. The Petitioner merely reasserted prior arguments without identifying a legal or policy error.

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Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

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AAO reaffirmed its prior finding that the Petitioner did not meet this criterion. The Petitioner merely reasserted prior arguments without identifying a legal or policy error.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-31_02_B2203; source_row=30311
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

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

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's treatment of the third prong inadequate because it did not address all of the Petitioner's arguments and evidence or explain the relative decisional weight given to each balancing factor.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO found the Director's treatment of the third prong inadequate because it did not address all of the Petitioner's arguments and evidence or explain the relative decisional weight given to each balancing factor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-31_01_B5203; source_row=30308
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO agreed with the Petitioner that the Director's decision did not adequately discuss the evidence or sufficiently explain the basis for the adverse determination under Dhanasar's second prong.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

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AAO agreed with the Petitioner that the Director's decision did not adequately discuss the evidence or sufficiently explain the basis for the adverse determination under Dhanasar's second prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-31_01_B5203; source_row=30307
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO agreed with the Petitioner that the Director failed to give due consideration to the evidence, noting that the Director listed but did not evaluate the documentation, and remanded for proper analysis.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO agreed with the Petitioner that the Director failed to give due consideration to the evidence, noting that the Director listed but did not evaluate the documentation, and remanded for proper analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-31_01_B5203; source_row=30306
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated 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

What the decision said

AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary to reach given the dispositive failure on prong one.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO reserved this prong as unnecessary to reach given the dispositive failure on prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-31_03_B5203; source_row=30321
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for distinguished organizations

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that this criterion was met. The Petitioner's speaking engagements were short-term guest appearances, not leading/critical roles. His current employer lacked a demonstrated distinguished reputation, as the evidence of recognition (analyst reports, magazine features) was insufficient to establish eminence.…

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AAO disagreed with the Director's finding that this criterion was met. The Petitioner's speaking engagements were short-term guest appearances, not leading/critical roles. His current employer lacked a demonstrated distinguished reputation, as the evidence of recognition (analyst reports, magazine features) was insufficient to establish eminence. Work for prior employers involved individual projects rather than roles in divisions or departments.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-28_01_B2203; source_row=30301
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherManager

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Original contributions

original contributions of major significance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's work benefited his employers and clients commercially, but the letters asserting major significance lacked explanation of how contributions benefited the broader field. Several letters were nearly identical, undermining their persuasive value. Contracts and licenses showed usefulness to customers but not industry-wide major significance.

Why this is useful

Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.

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The Petitioner's work benefited his employers and clients commercially, but the letters asserting major significance lacked explanation of how contributions benefited the broader field. Several letters were nearly identical, undermining their persuasive value. Contracts and licenses showed usefulness to customers but not industry-wide major significance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-28_01_B2203; source_row=30299
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 that while the Petitioner's proposed work has substantial merit, the evidence did not show that his competitive or coaching activities would have broader implications beyond his immediate students and club, which is the standard required for national importance under Dhanasar. His unique techniques were not shown to have been widely adopted or to prospectively broadly influence the sport.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO agreed that while the Petitioner's proposed work has substantial merit, the evidence did not show that his competitive or coaching activities would have broader implications beyond his immediate students and club, which is the standard required for national importance under Dhanasar. His unique techniques were not shown to have been widely adopted or to prospectively broadly influence the sport.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-28_01_B5203; source_row=30303
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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