Raj Patel

Correspondent

Raj Patel

Breaking news correspondent, covers late-night developments and emergency rulings.

Immigration & Government

Decisions covered by Raj Patel

478 decisions
Apr 29 2026
9th Cir. 25-3538 Unpublished

ESCOBAR DE HENRIQUEZ, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' dismissal of asylum and Convention Against Torture claims, ruling that key arguments were forfeited for failure to be raised in the opening brief. Even on the merits, the court found substantial evidence supported the lower court's conclusion that the threats lacked a nexus to a protected ground and were not committed by forces the government could not control.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
9th Cir. 17-73325 Unpublished

ERICK TUCTO-SANCHEZ V. TODD BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of an immigration order because the petitioner failed to exhaust specific legal challenges before the Board of Immigration Appeals. The court dismissed the petition without addressing the merits of the asylum, withholding of removal, or Convention Against Torture claims.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
9th Cir. 22-1949 Unpublished

CASTELLANOS GARCIA, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review because the Board of Immigration Appeals affirmed the denial of asylum based solely on the one-year filing bar without addressing the merits. Consequently, the panel could not review arguments regarding changed circumstances, leaving the petitioners' claims for relief denied.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
9th Cir. 24-4687 Unpublished

CASTELLANOS GARCIA, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' order dismissing asylum and withholding claims. The court found the petitioners failed to overcome the one-year filing deadline and could not establish a cognizable social group for protection.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
7th Cir. 20-3065 Panel Decision

SOULEYMANE NIMAGA v. TODD W. BLANCHE Acting Attorney General of the United States

The Seventh Circuit denied a petition to rescind an in absentia removal order, holding that financial hardship and a failed transportation arrangement do not constitute 'exceptional circumstances' under immigration law. The court emphasized that the petitioner failed to notify the Immigration Court of his predicament despite having the means to do so.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
6th Cir. 25-3736 Published

Julio Francisco Sebastian; A.A.F.B. v. Todd W. Blanche, Acting U.S. Attorney General

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture claims for a Guatemalan national, finding insufficient evidence of a nexus between his harm and his indigenous status. The court held that the petitioner failed to prove past persecution or a well-founded fear of future harm due to inconsistent testimony and the lack of a protected ground connection to the gang extortion he suffered.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
6th Cir. 25-3337 Published

Oxlaj-Perez v. Blanche

The Sixth Circuit held that the 30-day filing deadline for immigration petitions is subject to equitable tolling following the Supreme Court's decision in Riley v. Bondi. However, the court dismissed Jorge Oxlaj-Perez's petition because he failed to demonstrate the extraordinary circumstances required to toll the deadline.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
6th Cir. 25-3504 Published

Us v. Blanche

The Sixth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision denying cancellation of removal. The court held that the IJ's finding that the petitioner's U.S.-citizen children would not suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship was supported by substantial evidence.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
6th Cir. 25-3659 Published

Deh v. Blanche

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of Efra Deh's petition for review, holding that generalized allegations of interpreter dialect issues do not warrant reopening removal proceedings. The court found Deh failed to demonstrate specific mistranslations that would have altered the immigration judge's credibility determination.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
5th Cir. 25-60490 Per Curiam

In the Matter of Ikechukwu H. Okorie Debtor Ikechukwu H. Okorie v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.; Harris County; Alief Independent School District; West Keegans Bayou Improvement District

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of a debtor's motion to void bankruptcy property sales, ruling that individual debtors lack standing under 11 U.S.C. § 363(n) to pursue claims reserved for trustees. The court further held that the debtor's attempt to reopen the sales was barred by res judicata and statutory time limits.

Bankruptcy Civil Environmental (Civil) Res Judicata
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