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 9711–9720

NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the merits of prong one, withdrawing the Director's decision because the Director failed to reference, analyze, or consider the supporting materials and did not fully explain the reasons for denial; remanded for a complete 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 declined to reach the merits of prong one, withdrawing the Director's decision because the Director failed to reference, analyze, or consider the supporting materials and did not fully explain the reasons for denial; remanded for a complete analysis.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-09-21_02_B5203; source_row=30062
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementPhD

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO declined to reach the merits of prong three and remanded, noting that the Director failed to cite specific evidence or explain why it was insufficient; on remand the Director should evaluate relevant factors including practicality of a labor certification, U.S. benefit, urgency of national interest, and job creation potential.

Why this is useful

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AAO declined to reach the merits of prong three and remanded, noting that the Director failed to cite specific evidence or explain why it was insufficient; on remand the Director should evaluate relevant factors including practicality of a labor certification, U.S. benefit, urgency of national interest, and job creation potential.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-09-21_02_B5203; source_row=30064
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural EngineeringEngineer

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO did not address the third prong on motion, as the first prong was independently dispositive.

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 did not address the third prong on motion, as the first prong was independently dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-09-21_01_B5203; source_row=30061
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Civil / Structural EngineeringEngineer

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to address the Petitioner's arguments under the second prong, finding it unnecessary because the first prong was independently dispositive of the motion.

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 explicitly declined to address the Petitioner's arguments under the second prong, finding it unnecessary because the first prong was independently dispositive of the motion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-09-21_01_B5203; source_row=30060
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO remanded for the Director, if dispositive, to address the Petitioner's arguments and evidence and 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 remanded for the Director, if dispositive, to address the Petitioner's arguments and evidence and explain the relative decisional weight given to each balancing factor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-20_05_B5203; source_row=33698
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not reach the merits of prong 2 and remanded for the Director to articulate a proper basis for finding whether the petitioner is or is not well positioned.

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 did not reach the merits of prong 2 and remanded for the Director to articulate a proper basis for finding whether the petitioner is or is not well positioned.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-20_05_B5203; source_row=33697
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / ManagementBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

What the decision said

AAO did not reach a final conclusion but flagged that the reference letters and the limited business plan evidence raise substantial doubts about national importance. AAO remanded for the Director to analyze whether the proposed endeavor will have significant national/global implications, employ U.S. workers, or have considerable positive economic effects.

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 a final conclusion but flagged that the reference letters and the limited business plan evidence raise substantial doubts about national importance. AAO remanded for the Director to analyze whether the proposed endeavor will have significant national/global implications, employ U.S. workers, or have considerable positive economic effects.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2023-09-20_05_B5203; source_row=33696
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Artistic displayNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Artistic display

display of work in artistic exhibitions or showcases

What the decision said

AAO found the Director inappropriately limited the criterion to visual artists, improperly required that evidence demonstrate acclaim at step 1, and erroneously speculated about the Petitioner's ability to meet a different criterion. The matter is remanded for re-evaluation under the plain language.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Director inappropriately limited the criterion to visual artists, improperly required that evidence demonstrate acclaim at step 1, and erroneously speculated about the Petitioner's ability to meet a different criterion. The matter is remanded for re-evaluation under the plain language.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-09-20_01_B2203; source_row=30057
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · AwardsNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Awards

lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards or prizes

What the decision said

AAO found the Director's analysis deficient because it addressed only one of twelve submitted awards, failing to adequately explain why none of them could satisfy the criterion. The matter is remanded for full re-evaluation.

Why this is useful

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AAO found the Director's analysis deficient because it addressed only one of twelve submitted awards, failing to adequately explain why none of them could satisfy the criterion. The matter is remanded for full re-evaluation.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-09-20_01_B2203; source_row=30054
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot established

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree or equivalent qualification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The credential evaluator failed to demonstrate knowledge of the Brazilian education system or provide substantive analysis of equivalency. The AACRAO EDGE database showed her 'lato sensu' likely led to a professional certificate rather than a graduate degree. Employer letters failed to show progressively responsible duties, only listing job titles.

Why this is useful

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

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The credential evaluator failed to demonstrate knowledge of the Brazilian education system or provide substantive analysis of equivalency. The AACRAO EDGE database showed her 'lato sensu' likely led to a professional certificate rather than a graduate degree. Employer letters failed to show progressively responsible duties, only listing job titles.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2022-09-19_01_B5203; source_row=30041
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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