Case Explained: CHAVEZ CHAVEZ, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Filed: 2026-07-13

The ninth-circuit denied the petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing an appeal from an immigration judge’s denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The court applied a substantial evidence standard to factual findings and de novo review to legal determinations. Regarding asylum and withholding claims, the court held that the record did not compel the conclusion that the petitioner demonstrated the requisite nexus between her fear of future harm in Mexico and her worship of Santa Muerte, noting she presented no evidence that such worshipers are harmed on account of religion and testified her sister faced no harm. Furthermore, the court found substantial evidence supported the agency’s rejection of a particular social group claim based on “Mexican women,” ruling that general country conditions regarding gender-based violence do not establish an individualized risk of persecution. Finally, the court determined the record did not show it was more likely than not that the petitioner would be tortured upon removal, as generalized evidence of violence and crime in Mexico is insufficient to establish CAT eligibility. As a practical consequence, the petition is denied, the petitioner’s opposed motion to stay removal is denied, and the temporary stay of removal entered pursuant to General Order 6.4(c) is lifted effective immediately.

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