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 971–980
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 substantial merit was shown but concluded the analysis must focus on the specific endeavor of operating a single trucking business, not industry-wide effects. Unsupported job-creation projections and counsel's assertions did not establish broader implications.
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AAO agreed substantial merit was shown but concluded the analysis must focus on the specific endeavor of operating a single trucking business, not industry-wide effects. Unsupported job-creation projections and counsel's assertions did not establish broader implications.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_03_B5203; source_row=43792 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Articles about general entrepreneurship trends do not establish that the Petitioner's specific venture has national importance, as required under Dhanasar prong one.
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Articles about general entrepreneurship trends do not establish that the Petitioner's specific venture has national importance, as required under Dhanasar prong one.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_04_B5203; source_row=43796 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
The Petitioner held two distinct bachelor's degrees rather than a single-source foreign equivalent degree, and even treating the second degree as the equivalent, she could not satisfy the five-year post-baccalaureate experience requirement given the filing timeline. The EB-2 immigrant regulations do not allow combining education and experience equivalencies as H-1B regulations do.
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The Petitioner held two distinct bachelor's degrees rather than a single-source foreign equivalent degree, and even treating the second degree as the equivalent, she could not satisfy the five-year post-baccalaureate experience requirement given the filing timeline. The EB-2 immigrant regulations do not allow combining education and experience equivalencies as H-1B regulations do.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_04_B5203; source_row=43795 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
AAO agreed that substantial merit was established but withdrew the Director's national importance determination because the Director conflated prong one with prong two, focused on the Beneficiary's personal standing rather than the endeavor itself, questioned evidence without valid grounds, and failed to assess prospective broader societal impact and STEM competitiveness considerations.
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AAO agreed that substantial merit was established but withdrew the Director's national importance determination because the Director conflated prong one with prong two, focused on the Beneficiary's personal standing rather than the endeavor itself, questioned evidence without valid grounds, and failed to assess prospective broader societal impact and STEM competitiveness considerations.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_01_B5203; source_row=43780 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
five years progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the specialty
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed with the Director that the submitted evidence was inadequate. The Brazilian Digital Work Cards lack employer-specific confirmation of duties; the recommendation letters lack required addresses, titles, specific dates, and duty descriptions; and the Petitioner never adequately explained why the regulation-mandated employer letters were unavailable.…
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AAO agreed with the Director that the submitted evidence was inadequate. The Brazilian Digital Work Cards lack employer-specific confirmation of duties; the recommendation letters lack required addresses, titles, specific dates, and duty descriptions; and the Petitioner never adequately explained why the regulation-mandated employer letters were unavailable. The volume of evidence (700+ pages) did not compensate for the qualitative deficiencies.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_02_B5203; source_row=43783 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
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 declined to reach the merits, finding that the Director's analysis was inadequate for review because it focused narrowly on economic impact, failed to discuss the RFE submissions, and did not consider the broader implications required by Dhanasar.
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AAO declined to reach the merits, finding that the Director's analysis was inadequate for review because it focused narrowly on economic impact, failed to discuss the RFE submissions, and did not consider the broader implications required by Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_06_B5203; source_row=43805 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWlicense or certificationNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Business / Management
Issue evaluated
license or certification
license or certification for the profession or occupation
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO agreed there is no license or certificate for acting as CEO, and the registration and certificate of incorporation submitted on appeal do not purport to be licenses or certifications satisfying this criterion.
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AAO agreed there is no license or certificate for acting as CEO, and the registration and certificate of incorporation submitted on appeal do not purport to be licenses or certifications satisfying this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_05_B5203; source_row=43799 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO found the letters of recommendation reflect client satisfaction and work quality but are not from industry peers recognizing achievements or significant contributions to the field.
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AAO found the letters of recommendation reflect client satisfaction and work quality but are not from industry peers recognizing achievements or significant contributions to the field.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_05_B5203; source_row=43801 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineer
Issue evaluated
NIW · Well positioned
well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
Why the evidence was persuasive
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the second prong, based on the Beneficiary's education, skills, and record of success in R&D roles with multinational automobile manufacturers.
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AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner satisfied the second prong, based on the Beneficiary's education, skills, and record of success in R&D roles with multinational automobile manufacturers.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_01_B5203; source_row=43781 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context
Case facts
Mechanical / Manufacturing EngineeringEngineer
Issue evaluated
NIW · Waiver on balance
on balance, waiver is beneficial to the United States
Why AAO was not persuaded
AAO withdrew the Director's third-prong determination because the Director failed to apply the USCIS Policy Manual's specific evidentiary considerations for STEM critical-and-emerging-technology cases, including factors such as possession of an advanced STEM degree, engagement in work furthering a critical and emerging technology, and being well positioned to advance the endeavor of national importance.
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AAO withdrew the Director's third-prong determination because the Director failed to apply the USCIS Policy Manual's specific evidentiary considerations for STEM critical-and-emerging-technology cases, including factors such as possession of an advanced STEM degree, engagement in work furthering a critical and emerging technology, and being well positioned to advance the endeavor of national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2025-04-01_01_B5203; source_row=43782 Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c