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.
10,847 decisions /36,849 findings
Showing 9561–9570
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established
Case facts
Business / Management
Issue evaluated
NIW · EB-2 baseline
EB-2 advanced degree or equivalent qualification
Why AAO was not persuaded
The Petitioner did not provide an academic evaluation to establish his Philippine bachelor's degree was equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree. Additionally, even assuming equivalency, he could not have accumulated the required five years of post-baccalaureate progressive experience by the filing date, given his degree was conferred in March 2014 and the petition was filed in October 2018.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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The Petitioner did not provide an academic evaluation to establish his Philippine bachelor's degree was equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree. Additionally, even assuming equivalency, he could not have accumulated the required five years of post-baccalaureate progressive experience by the filing date, given his degree was conferred in March 2014 and the petition was filed in October 2018.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-26_02_B5203; source_row=30283 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
foreign equivalent of U.S. bachelor's degree (advanced degree professional)
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO holds the original unsigned evaluation lacked credibility and analytical support, and the new evaluation submitted on motion is similarly conclusory, fails to identify the evaluator or documents reviewed, and equates the foreign degree only to a Canadian bachelor's degree.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO holds the original unsigned evaluation lacked credibility and analytical support, and the new evaluation submitted on motion is similarly conclusory, fails to identify the evaluator or documents reviewed, and equates the foreign degree only to a Canadian bachelor's degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-26_01_B5203; source_row=30277 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Business / Management
Issue evaluated
NIW · National importance
substantial merit and national importance
What the decision said
AAO did not reach the Dhanasar prongs because the Petitioner failed to establish threshold EB-2 eligibility as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree.
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 did not reach the Dhanasar prongs because the Petitioner failed to establish threshold EB-2 eligibility as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-26_02_B5203; source_row=30284 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO treats exceptional-ability eligibility as waived on motion because the petitioner did not challenge the prior decision's adverse determination on that issue.
Why this is useful
Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.
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AAO treats exceptional-ability eligibility as waived on motion because the petitioner did not challenge the prior decision's adverse determination on that issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-26_01_B5203; source_row=30279 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot pursuedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Computer Science / AIPhysician2,011 papers
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
What the decision said
The Petitioner did not pursue his initial claim under this criterion on appeal and did not contest the Director's determination, so AAO deemed the issue waived.
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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The Petitioner did not pursue his initial claim under this criterion on appeal and did not contest the Director's determination, so AAO deemed the issue waived.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-26_01_B2203; source_row=30272 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
EB-1AEB-1A · Original contributionsNot established
Case facts
Biomedical / Life Sciences958 citations
Issue evaluated
EB-1A · Original contributions
original contributions of major significance
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found that publication in highly ranked journals does not alone demonstrate major significance, aggregate citation figures do not identify which specific contributions are majorly significant, Altmetric scores reflect social media attention rather than scientific impact, Dimensions above-average rankings do not equate to top-of-field significance, and recommendation letters were too conclusory and failed to articulate h…
Why this is useful
Distinguish original work from evidence that the contribution had major significance across the field.
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AAO found that publication in highly ranked journals does not alone demonstrate major significance, aggregate citation figures do not identify which specific contributions are majorly significant, Altmetric scores reflect social media attention rather than scientific impact, Dimensions above-average rankings do not equate to top-of-field significance, and recommendation letters were too conclusory and failed to articulate how the Petitioner's work influenced the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-25_01_B2203; source_row=30265 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, beneficial to waive job offer requirement
Why AAO was not persuaded
Although AAO had already determined prong two was not met, it briefly addressed prong three: the Petitioner's reference letter on impracticality of labor certification was conclusory and unsupported; the record did not show her contributions rose to a level overcoming the national interest in protecting domestic labor; and her education and skills (already found insufficient under prong two) also failed to show benefit to t…
Why this is useful
See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.
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Although AAO had already determined prong two was not met, it briefly addressed prong three: the Petitioner's reference letter on impracticality of labor certification was conclusory and unsupported; the record did not show her contributions rose to a level overcoming the national interest in protecting domestic labor; and her education and skills (already found insufficient under prong two) also failed to show benefit to the U.S. warranting a waiver.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-25_01_B5203; source_row=30270 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Other
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
Why AAO was not persuaded
While AAO disagreed with the Director's material-change finding and withdrew that portion of his decision, AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate a record of success. Reference letters were largely conclusory or lacked specificity; her prior work in Brazil related to a surgical case study and poster in nutrition rather than liver transplantation research; unpublished research does not show field recognition; a…
Why this is useful
Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.
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While AAO disagreed with the Director's material-change finding and withdrew that portion of his decision, AAO agreed that the Petitioner failed to demonstrate a record of success. Reference letters were largely conclusory or lacked specificity; her prior work in Brazil related to a surgical case study and poster in nutrition rather than liver transplantation research; unpublished research does not show field recognition; and poster presentations alone are standard duties of a medical scientist, not indicators of success.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-10-25_01_B5203; source_row=30269 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c