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9th Cir. 23-61 Unpublished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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Apr 17 2026
4th Cir. 25-1385 Panel Decision

Kelly Milligan v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated; Bank of America Corporation

The Fourth Circuit affirmed that a financial firm's eight-year retention bonus program does not qualify as an employee pension benefit plan under ERISA. The court held that because the awards were tied to continued service and productivity rather than systematically deferred income for retirement, they fall outside federal pension law protections.

Civil Environmental (Civil) ERISA / Employee Benefits Summary Judgment
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Apr 16 2026
9th Cir. 25-2352 Unpublished

MARCELINO NAVARRO GOMEZ v. TODD BLANCHE, Acting Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denies a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order denying cancellation of removal, holding that substantial evidence supports the finding that the petitioner's family would not suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. The court reaffirms that factual findings regarding financial support and educational prospects are unreviewable under Wilkinson v. Garland.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 16 2026
11th Cir. 0:25-cv-60039-DSL Per Curiam

Sara Meir v. Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Company

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an insurance coverage complaint, ruling that the plaintiff failed to plead sufficient facts to support a breach of contract claim under Florida law. The court further held that the district court properly denied leave to amend the complaint because the proposed amendments would have been futile given the policy's specific exclusions.

Civil Insurance
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Apr 16 2026
9th Cir. 24-7024 Unpublished

JAIME OSIEL JAIMES-GRANADOS v. TODD BLANCHE, Acting Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit partially denied and partially granted a petition for review regarding an immigration order, ruling that substantial evidence supported the denial of withholding of removal but that the Board of Immigration Appeals erred in denying voluntary departure. The court remanded the case for the agency to reweigh voluntary departure factors without relying on non-existent drug convictions.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 16 2026
9th Cir. 22-1584 Unpublished

Jessica Yunuen Vargas Sanchez v. Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision, ruling that the petitioner failed to prove eligibility for asylum or other relief. The court held that evidence of generalized cartel violence and corruption does not establish the required nexus to a protected ground or a particularized risk of torture.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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