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 17 2026
9th Cir. 21-70398 Unpublished

LUIS OSVALDO JIMENEZ-OCHOA v. TODD BLANCHE, Acting Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a Salvadoran national's petition for review of an asylum denial, ruling that witnesses who merely report crimes to the police lack the social distinction required for a cognizable particular social group. The court further held that the petitioner failed to demonstrate prejudice from alleged translation errors because the asylum claim failed on independent legal grounds.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 17 2026
9th Cir. 19-71857 Unpublished

Ciro Flores-Flores v. Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied Ciro Flores-Flores' petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision refusing to reconsider a denial of cancellation of removal. The court held that the BIA did not abuse its discretion because Flores voluntarily left the U.S. in 1999, breaking the ten-year continuous physical presence required for relief regardless of the validity of his notice to appear.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 17 2026
9th Cir. 16-70616 Unpublished

BAOLIN CHANG; SHA CHANG v. TODD BLANCHE, Acting Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denies a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order dismissing asylum and related claims because the agency provided specific and cogent reasons for an adverse credibility finding. The court holds that the petitioners' voluntary return to China undermined their assertions of fear, and without independent non-testimonial evidence, this credibility determination is dispositive.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 17 2026
9th Cir. 23-61 Unpublished

Jenny Carolina Aguilar-Velasquez v. Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' order denying asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture protection. The court held that the record contained substantial evidence that the petitioner failed to establish past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution because harm to her relatives was not closely tied to her and she suffered no physical injury herself.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 17 2026
1st Cir. 24-1741 Panel Decision

JOHAN JOSE TAVERAS MARTÍNEZ v. TODD BLANCHE, Acting Attorney General

The First Circuit reversed the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of an adjustment of status application because the Board impermissibly relied on a factual finding not contained in the record. The court held that the Board violated due process by determining the petitioner's specific intent to avoid criminal prosecution without evidence in the record before the Immigration Judge.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 17 2026
11th Cir. 1:23-cv-00279-MHC-JEM Per Curiam

Cameron Thierry v. Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed the appeal sua sponte because the district court's order was not final. The appellate court lacks jurisdiction to review a partial dismissal when the case remains pending on other counts without Rule 54(b) certification.

Civil Other Civil
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Apr 17 2026
6th Cir. 25-3517 Published

STAR SERVICES CORPORATION v. OWCP, et al

The Sixth Circuit affirmed an award of Black Lung Benefits Act benefits, holding that the employer failed to rebut the statutory presumption that a miner's death was caused by pneumoconiosis. The court found the administrative law judge's reliance on medical evidence establishing total disability and legal pneumoconiosis sufficient to meet the claimant's burden.

Civil Social Security
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