Correspondent

Raj Patel

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

Immigration & Government

Decisions covered by Raj Patel

478 decisions

Apr 7 2026

9th Cir. 3:23-cv-06062-TLF Unpublished

Cheri Cloninger v. Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of Social Security

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment upholding the denial of disability insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. The court held that the administrative law judge provided clear and convincing reasons for discounting the claimant's subjective testimony regarding her physical and mental limitations.

Civil Social Security

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Apr 6 2026

9th Cir. 24-4884 Unpublished

VIVEK PAL v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of an immigration order affirming the denial of asylum and related protections. The court held that the agency's adverse credibility determination was supported by substantial evidence due to fraudulent medical documents and material inconsistencies in the petitioner's testimony.

Civil Immigration (Civil)

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Apr 6 2026

9th Cir. 25-1296 Unpublished

MARLENE LOPEZ-MENDEZ v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review, upholding the Board of Immigration Appeals' dismissal of an asylum and Convention Against Torture claim. The court found substantial evidence supported the agency's conclusion that the petitioner could safely relocate within El Salvador to avoid harm.

Civil Immigration (Civil)

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Apr 6 2026

9th Cir. 25-568 Unpublished

HEYDI GUADALUPE CACERES MARQUEZ; J. A. F. C v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision denying asylum and related relief to Honduran nationals. The court held that substantial evidence supported the agency's finding that the petitioners could safely and reasonably relocate internally within Honduras.

Civil Immigration (Civil)

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Apr 6 2026

9th Cir. 2:23-cv-01679-BJR Unpublished

Bramblett v. Allied World Specialty Insurance Co.

The Ninth Circuit reversed the district court's summary judgment, holding that an insurer breached its duty to defend when it denied coverage based on an ambiguous sexual abuse exclusion. The court ruled that Washington law requires insurers to provide a defense if any allegation could conceivably trigger coverage, even if other allegations are excluded.

Civil Consumer Protection

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Apr 6 2026

9th Cir. 24-3732 Unpublished

ELADIO RAMON ARELLANO MOLINA; YUSLEIDY DEL CARMEN MARTINEZ MORILLO; ELIAN JOSE ARELLANO MARTINEZ v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of an immigration order, holding that substantial evidence supported the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of asylum and related relief. The court found the petitioners failed to demonstrate past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution in Venezuela.

Civil Immigration (Civil)

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Apr 6 2026

10th Cir. 26-1094 Panel Decision

In re DR. DARRELL L. WHITMAN

The Tenth Circuit denied a petition for a writ of mandamus filed by Dr. Darrell L. Whitman, ruling that the extraordinary writ cannot substitute for established statutory remedies. The court held that judicial intervention cannot override the Executive Branch's absolute discretion to prosecute crimes or compel specific employment actions.

Civil FOIA

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Apr 3 2026

11th Cir. 25-14010 Per Curiam

JERRY PAUL CARROLL v. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed a petition for review of a Board of Veterans' Appeals decision because Congress has granted exclusive jurisdiction over such cases to the Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims. The court also noted the petitioner failed to specifically designate the appealable order as required by federal rules.

Civil Environmental (Civil)

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Apr 3 2026

United States Court… 24-5261 Panel Decision

ANDI GJOCI v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND MARCO RUBIO THE SECRETARY OF STATE

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to the State Department's handling of Diversity Immigrant Visa applications for fiscal year 2021. The court held that federal courts lack the authority to order the agency to adjudicate visas after the statutory fiscal year has expired, rendering such claims moot and lacking standing.

Civil Environmental (Civil) Mootness Standing

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Apr 2 2026

5th Cir. 24-40612 Published

Autoficio, L.L.C; Brian Whiteside Plaintiffs— v. Cimble Corporation; Alvin Allen; Paul Barrett Defendants—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court judgment in favor of Brian Whiteside, ruling that he had standing to sue despite acting as an agent for a corporate entity. The court further held that the jury's finding of justifiable reliance was supported by sufficient evidence and that the exclusion of a disputed tape recording did not prejudice the defendants' substantial rights.

Civil Environmental (Civil)

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